National Republican., 1873-09-26
A WORD TO TIE FARMERS OF MARY.
LAND.


The progress Of the farmers movement
continues to attract extraordinary attention. |
1t has developed itself in many unexpected
ways, and In many unexpected localities.
Lately IL has made Its appearance In Mary
land, and although no organization under the
auspices Of the Patrons Of Husbandry has
yet been effected, the objects to be reached
arc similar, and the interests involved identi-
cal with those Of that association. The
Washington County Farmers Club, at its re-
cent meeting In Baltimore, engaged In the
discussion Of these objects and interests, and
finally adjourned with the understanding
that Its members should combine for the pur-
pose Of extending their influence throughout
the State to secure concerted effort In their
support. The meeting was originally in
tended Us q social reunion, at which an inter-
change of views regarding farm interests
was expected, and the experience of mem-
lers In the management Of crops was
to have been intcrchangcd. Political
topics were Ignored entirely, and the
gathering Of genial mon of kindred
tastes and occupation was consequently pro-
ductivc OF mutual benefit. 1t very naturally
followed that the example of their Western
contemporaries was broachcd for discussion;
but II Is simply surprising that this has not
occurred before. The agricultural class Of
Maryland Is comprised of the best and most
intelligent citizens Of the Commonwealth.
No other State In the Union owes so much to
the stability and wise conservatism Of the
farmers or planters. They have never sue
cumbcd, except In rare instances and widely
separated localities, to the benumbing inau-
cnccs Of slavery, and were consequently better
prepared ut the close Of the war, when their
labor was emanclpatcd, to accept and accom-
modatc themselves TO the situation. 1t Is
possible that the wise conservatism Of which
We speak cxcrted itself In some respects to
rctard the progress Of modern ideas and to
block the wheels Of modern thought; but 1t
at the same preserved the State from hide
bound prcudiccs. The result is that, under
the lights Of recent occurrences, the entire
agricultural community Is in q condition to
submit itself to the new influences which are
gradually spreading all over the country.
But these farmers or planters cannot fail,
Ia their review OF the depressed condition OF
their resources, 10 discover that the troubles
which oppress them are the result of political
causes. They may combine against the
''middle.men" the purchasers of their
products are callcd-from now until dooms-
day, without cficctlng the object which they
seek. They very naturally ask, Why Is II
that while this class have been making money
and amassing fortunes, while manufactures
have increased In number and value, and
while their tobacco and grain have
been the medium Of exchange between the
United States and Europe, they have yir-
tually remained stagnant and arc now no bet
ter of than they were at the close of the war.
The prompt reply TO this is the cxactlon of
the railroad monopolies aud the unjust dis
elimination by the railroads against local
frcights. But so far as the farmers Of Mary
land arc concerned, this reply Is not sufii-
ciently comprehensive, 1t docs not embrace
the whole truth and docs not show wherein
the entire responsibility for their misfortunes
resides. II Is true that the railroads
have had much to do with producing
the cause of their complaints, as they have
TO great extent controlled the legislation Of
the State for years; but they would have
failed In their schemes II they had not re-
ceiycd most potent aid from other sources.
Those sources may be briefly characterized
as tho commission cormorants OF Baltimore.
II requires but a casual knowledge of the
legislative history Of the State to prove this
assertion, and the memory Of hundreds OF
planters In the southern part OF the State
will furnish illustrations to sustain 1t. Take
the town Of Plscataway, as an instance. Less
than generation ago 1t was iourishing
tobacco market, with warehouses, both pub
lie and private, and with inspectors, known
to the community, appointed to define the
grade Of the great staple crop OF the section.
What was true Of Plscataway then was
true Of scores Of other small towns In the
lobacco.growlng regions, and was also true of
towns and cities In the northern part Of the
State. 1t Is true that the expense of inspect
Ing and the commission rates were proper
tlonately as large rs they are now, but the
money required to defray those expenses was
spent near the homes Of the farmers and
planters. Gradually the combination Of rail-
road Interests with those of the cormorants
OF Baltimore made lis influence felt ut An
nppolIsi the laws were amended 80 as to abol-