Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-01-20
Now and Then.
Agricultural Distress.
The Financial Question and the Farmers.
The Change of 8 Years.

10 TIC EutOTs " ufe CUWMefttW'
1t plain to the mind of every business man,
and every observer of passing events, that basi-
ness of all kinds is in aanguishiug condition. And
none more 90 than agriculture, which is the life
and soul of all others. The farmer finds that his
crops bring so little that he has to curtal expen-
SEES whenever possible repair up his old threshers,
reapers, mowers, &C., and make them do another
year, employ less labor, buy fewer goods. or Ego
TO the wall" Therefore the goods must remain on
the shelves of the country merchant, and as a
consequence Wholesale dealers find themselves
with large stocks on hand with profits considers
bly, curtailed, manufacturers without orders, and
operatives without employment.
Farmers cannet buy goods while produce re-
mains at the present rates They, the farmers and
miners, are paying the government debit this may
seem at first absurd, but il Is true nevertheless,
The gold spectators and money kings never
made dollar. The doctors, lawyers and mer-
chants never made dollar, and scores of Others
might be named in the same category though
they are ali necessary 10 civilized society, Except
the gold speculators who form a fungus and
nuisance that ought to be abated) The farmer
and the miner are the only classes that really pro-
duce anything, all the balance are consumers.
Even the miners and the iron masters are Sec
ondary to the farmers Let The farmers OF the
United States cease 10 pillow and plant for single
StuFt Wudt Wuuiu Dt llt Itsult. NuuL WUulu
their gold and iron, coal, mills, merchandise and
knowledge OF law and medicine be worth Could
the money king dine on gold or the iron masters
on iron 2 Would any, or all of them, satisfy the
craving of an empty stomach ? As well offer
Them stone or a serpent. Geld without the pro-
ducts of agriculture would be but dross. Then
let our great and wise men foster It, for it is the
basis of all our wealth, really is our wealth.
There Is no class in society so poorly remunera-
ted as the farmers. Prices that they are now get
ting will not support them with ali the economy
for which they are proverbial. If they continue
much longer they will have to return to more
primitive styles of living. 1t is true there was
time when grain was lower than now.
But there was great difference between
then and now. Habits Of living were almost as
different from those OF to-day as day is from
night Then farmers lived mainly upon tho pro-
ducts OF their farms carriages were luxuries that
acre lot owns his carriage, Cor did own 1t year or
two ago, before the Sheriff levied on it, Then
farm hand could be hired for 81 per month. or
thirty-three cents per day and board. Now they
have dollar to dollar and quarter Then, a
farmer could pay the county tax on his farm with
ten dollar bill. Now, it requires hundred TO
pay the tax on the same farm Then. farmer
could 20 to church in a fustan coat, and his wife
in a calice or even homespun gown, and be as
much respected as is the same class now in French
bread cloth and Italian silk. Then, five or six
dollars would pay for a bonnet that would last as
many years. Now, they cost an unlimited amount
and change with the season. Thus 1t is shown
that although farm produce was then low, the
style OF living corresponded with their income;
domestic coffee, that cost the farmer nothing was
very generally used, even by many good families
NOW, imported coffee is used by the day laborer
But we do not want the times as they were then
nor those modes of living. We would much
prefer to have them as they were from 1864 TO
1865. Then, VIC sold our corn at a dollar to q
dollar and sixty cents per bushel. and our wheat
from two dollars TO three twenty-five. Then, the
nj .
with all other implements he needed and paid
for them, giving employment to manufacturers
who paid their government tax and collected il
out OF the farmers. Then, when farmer sold
his grain, he would make liberal bill with the
merchant before he left town. Then, farmers
had money TO invest in 5-20's and other securities.
Now, they are selling the same to meet expenses
Then, labor was fully employed and well paid
NOW, laborers are-that is, some of them-gun-
ming around the branches through the day, and
stealing poultry at night. Then, farmers made
frequent visits to Wilmington, Philadelphia and
other cities leaving some Of their surplus funds
with hotel keepers, clothing houses, etc. Now,
they have no surplus funds to leave there or
elsewhere.
Now IL our financial doctors can bring these
times around again (ess the war; they will have
solved the financial problem When farmers get
these prices they buy literally and paw for what
they get, employ labor freely and pay fair wages,
which also finds Its way through the merchants
till to the manufacturer and from him to the trea-
suIy.
But farmers now are poorly paid, and our si,n
alton may be APPLY illustrated by the fable OF the
lien inviting the fox TO visit him, who replied
that he would like TO visit him but the tracks all
went toward the den, no track OF visitors could
DC seen on the return. The balance OF trade Is
against us. We buylcoffee, sugar, and hundred
other things. that are taxed in some way, and
we do not object If we were able to pay Like the
traveller with the bed bugs, we would not mind
being bled but the fact is we haven't the blood to
n ratr....
tured article one dollar, the manufacturer
puts on two and the farmer has it 10 paw.
But suppose the farmer cannot pay and the man
uiacturer has 10 keep his goods, where will Mr..
Boutwell, get his money bags replenished There
are about 1876 59S farms in the grain producing
States; suppose the occupants of these farms
should be compelled, for the want OF means to plr
chase TO wear their better suits another year only
single suit TO each male member. Five men
and boys on an average, would be quite little
enough to WORK each farm, then, average the
suits at $50 each, would make the nice little sum
OF $40, 4o9, 100, TOR simple suit OF economical
clothes. ms the manufacturer would certainly
miss out OF his sales.
Some classes may think these glorious times
when they can buy barrel OF flour tor a day OF
two's work, but they will sec the result in wear
or two more. The rural districts feel it first
the smaller cities next, the great cities and man.
uiacturing districts will feel it eventually
Farmers are an unobtrusive class have ne
rings 10 Washington 10 bore Senators wi thr
caling Is OF more Importance To the communit,
than all the gold rings, whisky rings and nj
other rings together-really paramount to al
Others. "
II some means can be devised to give then
liberal prices for their produce, money will fov
into the treasury as fast MS Mr. BuntYcn 20,
fund it. How this IL to be brought about knov
not, unless 1t be by an increase OF currency.
this will accomplish the object, let it come.
the country can prosper it matters little whrtbc
the dent is paid by this generation or the next.
Very respectfully yours,
s,, 49, 7. B. CounsEY.