Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-10-08
Origin of the Farmers Movement.

The farmers movement, says wes-
tern correspondent, dates its origin
back about four years. Emigration
has has been so great of lato years
into onr Western States, particularly
in the wheat-growing region, that the
country has been rapidly settled. This
has given temporary market for
breadstufls to the newcomers, while
they were themselves making now
farm. But when they had brought
new acres under cultivation, their la
bors increased the amount of crops,
so that it became necessary to send a
large amount Of products TO the mar
kct. Meanwhile there had been
considerable increase in the number OF
railroad miles in the West. The ex-
tension did not, however, keep pace
with the development of the country,
and was inadequate TO the transporta-
ton necessities required for the re-
moval Of the superhuous products =
Consequently, each year when navi-
CATION closes, about December i,
great amount of supcrfuous products
accumulates TO bo sent East. The
amount Of these superhuous products
annually increases. The extraordi-
nary severity Of tho last winter, and
the mechanical and physical difiicul-
ties resulting from the intense cold,
rendered IL impossible for the rail-
roads, after tho close of navigation, TO
move the crops as rapidly as tho de-
mands of commerce required. Accor-
ding TO the law of supply and de-
mand, tho scarcity of transportation
facilities during the last winter, induced
the railroads TO increase the price OF
railroad freight This increase in the
cost of carriage was Of necessity paid
by the farmers, and there was tax
deducted from the price of their grain
at the farm. This increased freight
tariff caused great dissatisfaction.
There soon grew up an ill-feoling on
this account between the railroads and
tho farmers, the latter insisting that
the railroads were extortionatc in
their charges, and unjust in their dis
ordinations. During the last five
years there have been many attempts
in the Western States to control rail
road freight tariff by legislation. Al.
most without exception, the railroad
companies have refused obedience to
these enactments. And when suit has
been brought by the authorities to en-
force these laws, the railroads have
been almost uniformly successful in
the litigation. This fact has intensi-
fed tho irritation on the part of the
farmers. The almost unprecedented
large corn crop Of last season brought
on a crisis between the railroads ant
the farmers shortly after the close o
navigation in December last. The
supply of corn was 40 much in excess
of the demand that the price at th'
/, farm in many portions of the North
west was reduced TO the price of fuel
, and in some places even lower, 80 tha
in many localities corn was used q
fuel. Meantime the railroads wer
ovcrburdened with the superluou
crops to be conveyed to the seaboard
| The unusual intensity of the winte
created many unaccus'omed obstacles
Tho unnecessary delays in transports,
{ ton caused large quantities Of bread
/, stuffs TO accumulate in local centre
awaiting shipment. AT the same tim
: the local storekeepers were pressin
4 the farmers for the payment of thel
bills, which they could not well dis
charge until they had realized fror
their crops. Tho low price of tn
crops had induced most of the farmer
to keep them, in the hope that, in tn
!, spring, better prices would be obtalr
, cd. These various circumstances II
creased the bitterness OF the fcclln
on the part of tho farmers toward I'll
railroad companies, which they q
A cused of combining TO increase u
8 prico of rfcights and 20 demand cxto
Ie Tomato rates, and is the fret cause
7, - the movement now so extensive, on
IN known as the "Grange."