Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1871-10-21

the country, ana especially tnat farmers
should do them justice.
While it is likely that the great western
and New York lines have already been
guilty of using their power to the injury of
the producing class, and while it may be
found necessary to take action against them
on that account, we believe that the shrewd
men who manage most of our railroads do
not desire to enter into any contest with so
powerful class of their customers rs the
farmers. If they have heretofore, in some
cases, been led to discriminate in favor of
middlemen, and to the disadvantage of both
the producers and consumers of agricultural
products, we attribute it to no desire on their
part to deal unfairly. The truth is that the
middlemen are, to some considerable extent,
organized They are able to represent their
wishes as large customers of the railroad,
and to enforce their views and ideas with
practical unanimity. They are able to offer
Quid pro quo, and to show to the companies
how it is for their mutual advantage to make
certain arrangements, not so advantageous
to the farmer. On the other hand, the in
terests of the farmers are not at all repre-
sented. An individual may protest that he
is precluded from dealing directly with the
consumer by the cXhorbitant difference
made in the price of freight between large
and small shipments. But single voice is
lost in the strong demand and pressure of
the opposite interest. This is natural, and
to be expected. But it would not be so if the
farmers were united into compact organi-
cation, capable of representing their require
ments with authority, of Offering induce
ments and counter-inducementsw which they
,could give and which they would control.
Taking our own railroads in Vermont for
instance, we have not the least doub
that fair and reasonable arrangements could
be made with them without any difficulty
whatever, to forward all freight for farmers
mt II small tariff, were the farmers themselves
agree upon what their real wants are, and
had their leaders to present their case, and
show the reasonabeness of their demands.
The railroads have done, and are doing
much TO increase the value of our farms by
giving facilities for intercourse and trans
portation. The farmers are interested, as
much at least as any class, in their extension
and good management. II is not to their
interest, and we believe it is not necessary,
as II general thing, to assume IL position of
antagonism towards the railroads. These
are generally managed by able, public spirit
ed men, open to reason, and DESTROYS of full
fllingtheir duty to the public; in doing which,
indeed, they know they will find their great
est advantage. If any class thinks they are
managed to its injury, they should, by in
quiry, ascertain the true state of the case,
consider it maturely, and then present their
claims, backed by the authority of united,
firm, intelligent and reasonable action. So
presented, there are few cases where, in our
opinion, they would not be met, on the part
of the railroads, with equal fairness, and find
n willing allowance of all just demands.
Certainly, until II trial like this has been
made, there can be little reason for severe
criticism and less for hostile action.
Col. Stowell's reply to Mr.. Chapman