13 



cent, in favor of the present protective system over the " for-revenue- 

 only " or free-trade system that prevailed prior to 1861. 



The wool used in the manufacture of these blankets is about 6 per 

 cent, below the average price in 1860. All wools are based in valuation 

 on Ohio fine fleece, which in 1860 was worth 45 cents per pound, and which 

 is worth now 42 cents per pound. Blanket wools are of lower quality, 

 but have the same relative value. Their books show ' ' coarse woolen 

 fabrics carry out the same relative rates as blankets, particularly goods 

 used for overcoats. These were worth in 1860 $1. 50 per yard. The same 

 goods are sold to-day for 80 cents to $1 per yard. In the entire range of 

 woolens used for wear of men and women the same relative difference ex- 

 ists, the present prices being from 30 to 60 per cent, below those prevail- 

 ing in 1860." 



How is it in reference to carpets ? From 1857 to 1860, both years 

 inclusive, the average price per yard of five-frame English body Brus- 

 sels carpet in England was 4s. IQd., equivalent to $1.10 of our money. 

 The same class and quality of carpets of American manufacture are 

 to-day selling for $1.07 cash. Tapestry Brussels carpets sold in 1860 at 

 75 cents per yard, and are sold here to-day at 67 cents for like quality. 

 Standard make of American ingrain carpets sold in 1857-1860 at 75 to 

 80 cents per yard, and are now sold at 60 to 67 cents. 



And I here give another list of comparative prices of 1860 with 1884, 

 which will be very instructive to those who claim our protective policy 

 has not cheapened woolen goods. The prices are taken from an account 

 of goods of like quality actually sold: 



Let us examine the prices of cotton goods under the revenue tariff 

 of 1857 and the protective tariff of 1861 and subsequent years. I have 

 here a table of prices for sheetings and shirtings, prepared by the firm 

 of Richardson, Smith & Co , and taken from their books of original en- 

 try, and which show a difference of from 20 to 30 per cent, in favor of 

 present prices. Here are the figures, those for 1860 being the average 

 prices per yard for that year and those for 1884 being the average prices 

 per yard for March, 1884: 



