The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-02-21
Organization, the DcHUerancc for
Farmers.

There is Il tide in the affairs OF men, :,
Which taken at itsfood, leads on to fortune.
There seems to be a tide OF earnestness work
ing among farmers all through the states, that
must have it's effect upon their affairs. lhe
necessity for organization never has been so
apparent as now. From the very stress OF cir
cumstances the farmer has been brought to
realize the situation. Ills surplus grain cannot
be placed IN the market at home at remunera
tive prices. But in a distant market the price
is such that it will leave satisfactory balance
IN his favor.
The distance is not so great that it requires
the price of one bushel to get another TO mai
ket for he reads the views OF intelligent men
to tho effect that eleven cents will transport
100 lbs 1000 miles, and leave far diyldedds to
the stakeholder: and this for freight only, say
ing nothing Of the profits on passenger traffic;
and The idea naturally presents itself, where
does the balance of the money go? BE often
finds it difficult TO get $50 together, but he
reads in the Credit Mobiher investigation. OF
men who have received $4,000, but by a
strange forgetiulness cannot remember what
they did with it. The inquiry naturally arises
whore do these railway magnates set so much
money, that they can handle 1t so profusely !?
aud he comes to the conclusion that they have
been stealing bis grain while in transit.
Statistical Tables from the census report
make another startling disclosure. We lind
that thirteen millions OF the people OF the
United States are engaged III industrial pur-
suits, while nearly seven millions or more than
one half, are farmers. The products or earn
ings Of each industry, with that Of the agricul
turisL are given, showing that nearly one half
the gross earnings Of the country, are the re-
suit OF agricultural labor. And vet on an aver.
age it is only $500, for each individual farmer
out OF which he must provide for, and educate
his family, aid in al charitable, and philan-
throplc enterprises, and then is asked to give
not less than $500 to some railroad extention
But the cas- has much broader significance
when we look at the representation farmers
have in Congress. Out of the 226 representa-
tives only SIX per cent are farmers while sixty
five per cent are lawyers, and the remainder
belong to other professions and industries.
Probably a somewhat largerper cent OF farmers
will be found in our state legislatures, but it is
notably the iact that farmers, and farming in
terests, are ROT represented in our Legislative
halls. Can al industry be expected to flour
ish without gro 5er guardians 70 look after lts
wants. Il ,ther just or generous to entire
~ Ignore & Iug winch produces nearly one
half the wealth of the nation. and furnishes
more than 1uo half the bone and muscle to ac-
cumulate that wealth;
/ do not write SIMPLY to excite q weak sympa- |
thy for sufferns class, but to Arouse men t. |
a determined action to assert their rights .'Iu /,
union there Ii strength one man in his $50 |
laton can accomplish nothing. An organza- /
ton is needed II which to WORK out his deliver |
auce
The Patrons Of Iiusjandry Is an organize
ton intended for this purpose. /, fights mo-
uopol!es, and seeks TO protect the lermeI from
their gra-pius greed. 1t buys aud sells and
deals directly with frs, bands. Il contemplatcs
a system Of agricultural reports. coming direct
Is from tAo different Oranges, and condensed
ut some national center, which shall be q basis
30 reliable, that farmers may know 10 a degree
Of certainty the actual pioduc, in any branch
OF farming, and the state Of tie crop at any
glyon time. J, intends to bring the whole front
Of the army Of farmers TO bear on any partlcu-
lar scheme OF rascaiIty hat may be perpetrated
by monopolies or rings against the interest OF
the farmer.
1t cultiyates spirit Of socallty, and forms
kindred minds, from kindred interests If it
is not the culminlton OF the best good to the
farmer it is the chrysalis from which his pros
peritY Will yet emerge. ~ C. G.