New-York tribune., 1873-02-27
GRAIN MARKETS AND RAILROAD moNofoLiEs.

To the Editor OF The Trtbunc
SIR: 1t is becoming painfully apparent that
the people OF this country having gotten ria OF the eV
Of Slavery, arc called upon to confront anothcr
great evil existing in the shape OF railroad monopoes
1t cost us millions of dollars and thousands OF hves 70
free ourselves from Slavery. What it will cost to con-
quer these monOpoles no one can tell Out the contest
will not be over in co days"
The Mississippi Valley must be the granary OF this
country and ultimately OF nearly the whole world. III
ia fitted in every respect for the raising of the three chef
rranswheat oats and corn. The latter product, par
tlculaEly, be Supplied in untold quantity oy the
States OF Illinois, Iowa. Missouri Kansas. Nebraska, ana
parts Of other States. The production IS already
enormous; what Will 1t be when the millions of acres
now living Idle are brought into state OF cultivation
The country along the eastern base OF the Rocky
Mountains will furnish stock for the markets OF the
United States and think 1t will be admitted that that
section can successfully compete with any other in this
respect II is very plain then that grainrasng IN the
Mississippi Valley should be profitable because lifted
especially for that But how II at this tmet Corn
cannot be sold any market in Iowa for more than
cents bushe and oaly iu payment OF debts at that
price, It caunot be sold for han 10 cents for ship
ment TO Eastern markets. Millions OF bushels are
burned for fuel In some cases TO run manufactures
Farmers IN this state are everywheTe admitting tiat
unless this state OF things IL changed they cannot raise
corn with profit The Is the same with wheat ana
oats Only those who are now hyng ~ tn1 @ mesa can can
4
farmers they their grain roting III the held and
the mortgages upon their farms unpaid
What TO be the remedy for these things inc qucs
On is already discussed III the journals OF tho land ana
variOds remedies proposed common one, urged
by farmers. that grain should be converted
stock which be shipped at profit But most OF
those who West poor, and unable 10 buy STOCK
with which TO commence such business. III all should
90 70 raising stock the markets would he oyerstoeked
aud the business would become unproftable Further,
there other sections of the country where stock can
bu raised at greater profit than III Iowa, al least
Another remedy, which has actually been proposed Is
to decrease the production Onehalf By this means the
farmer would eXpend only half the amount III labor.
while he would realize much from the sales OF his crops
does by the increased price OF grain which would
follow. But such would certainly increase the
price the Eastern markets. where u Is already
high be almost beyond the reach OF the poor
third remedy proposed is the control Of railroads and
regulation of freiehs by legislation. But while the ra-
road companies and run treefourths OF the Legs
atures OF the country, this is remedy easier proposed
than effected. There is supposed remedy Tor these u.s.
II is fast increasing in favor with the people that
the Government purchase and control the railroad limos,
and thus afford cheap means Of transportation Tor the
produce of the country Call this cenrazatOn, II you
wish it is advocated by some men who have the IN
terest of their country at heart Unless change Tor
the is made In the management Of the railroads,
this remedy will sooner or later be applied as the eastc
which must burn out the fostering wound. J. NJ N
Sac Ctfy, IOTd, Feb. 20, 1878.