The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1860-10-20
THE DRoUTH QUESTION.
For the Emporia Newe.

r
For the Emporia News.
Mr.. EDIroR:-In perusing the columns o.
Kansas newspapers of late. have observed
quite contradictory reports in them con-
corning the drouth in Kansas this season.
and also as regards the condition of the in
habitants.
That an honest difference of opinioR will
sometimes be found to exist-between part
les possessing alike natural intelligence and
even knowledge of the matter in controyer-
sy-I am inclined to believe. such antago-
nism having always existed but that an
honest difference in opinion SO widely con-
Trajectory in substance-can exist in relation
to the present posture of affairs in Kansas,
with the expressed opinions based on knowl-
edge in the case, do not believe ; and do fur
Their say that one or both parties are
either totally ignorant as to the facts, wilful-
ly and maliciously disposed to falsify, OF
blinded through sinister feelings enter
tanned.
| A cry of distress is heard in very many
portions of Kansas; while in other parts
is heard cry foreboding future privation.
| We read that in some localities families are
without bread-without proper clothing,
and, withal, without the means to purchase;
in others that the crops have proved nearly
or quite total failure, and the inhabitants
have not the means 10 sustain themselves
but short time at least-that whole town
ships have been eanvassed. by agents ap-
pointed for the purpose, who report an av-
erage yield of only one, two or three bush
els of corn per acre, while all other crops
proved total failure. To which the oppo-
sition reply, that, all these statements are
greatly exaggerated; that there is not the
least danger of famine or even, restitution,
that in no portion of Kansas has the yield
of corn this season been less than half of a
full crop, that there is plenty of old corn in
the country &C., and as a finale TO this,
charazterizes all those who predict destitu-
ton the coming winter, as ''simple minded
FOOLS - "panic Makers who would rather
see famine and starvation than to know their
prediction had failed.
Now, Mr.. Editor, I, for one, think this
subject worthy of attention, and that the
complaints made are of SO serious nature
as to demand careful and impartial investi-
cation. 1t is morally and criminally wrong
to extort money from humane and gener-
Gus people by means of Misrepresentation,
while hold that it is by far greater crime
to withhold assistance from the suffering
and the needy through like means. It is
evident that heavy responsibility must rest
somewhere in this matter. propose briefly
to review this subjuct of Controversy, and
will, with your permission, speak through
the columns of the Emporia News
About the middle of August last, COM
munication appeared in the N. Y. Tribune,
written by gentleman living at Mound
City, Linn county, Kansas, stating that
many families were in a destitute condition
in Kansas, having raised nothing the past
season, and no means to procure provisions,
and that unless supplies were sent to them
from their friends at the East they must
suffer-
The Emporia News Immediately contra
dicted the statements made by this writer by
saying, that there was almost enough of last
years crop left for food, while the growing
corn crop would far more than supply the
home demand for that article. The pros
pect for potatoes was fair, for buckWheat
and turnips excellent, &c. Now l only
copy these statements made by the Nescs
that they may be contrasted with the facts
lately elected by canvassers in this portion
of Kansas, as the Meas has never yet cor
rected the mistake made in asserting that
there was almost enough of last years crop
left for foCd' and that the growing corn
crop would far more than supply the home
demand. On the contrary, find in look
ing over the files of the NesOs. the state
ment made Sept. 1st, in substance that
there 'would be plenty of provisions in the
Territory to provide for all here as well as
plenty to supply emigrants and others who
may come here,'' and again. Sept. 18th.
1--WE believe large majority of the people
in this county will bear us out in the state
ment that there will be food enough in her
limits to supply her inhabitants. Now
for the statistics above alluded to: Messrs.
F. G. Hunt and j. jackson canyassed Pike
township, in this county, and report that
the amount of old corn on hand. Sept. 90,
was found to be 1920 bushels, and the esti
mated yield of corn this year but 1000
bushels from 135 acres planting; and $50
bushels wheat from 292 acres sown.
P. B. Maxson and j. nj. Miller, canvass
ers in Fremont township, report this year
a total yield of "a bushels wheat from 451
acres sowing; and from 1889 acres corn
planted. yield OF about 1856 bushels. Po-
tatoes and garden vegetables total failure,
and buckwheat nearly or quite SO. The
amour, of old corn on hand, in the whole
township, was ascertained to be but 200
bushels.
Americas township was canvassed,
though rather imperfeetly, the statistics
have not yet been published. but learn that
they agree very nearly with Fremont.
Jackson township, appointed j. G. Tall
man and II. s. Sleeper, who, before taking
time to canvass one fourth of hat township,
rushed into print with the statement that
they should think the people of the town
ship had at least 1900 bushels old corn on
hand. and that the new crop would yield
on the average to the acre 90 to 25 bushels
on the bottom land, and to 12 on upland.
They also stated that they had seen good
many hogs running loose in the woods
eating acorns. Now in reading late mum
Der of the Wyandot argus we find the re-
port of said Tallman and Sleeper published
Il. Il