The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-09-09


lage A dimnution of the cost of trans
port, il it extended only to the present
grain growing region, would, of course, re-
suit either in the decreased price to the |
consumer, or in increased price TO the pro- |
Queer, the average product of the area re-
naming the same and the demand the same.
But if the price of freight is lowered for
Illinois, il must be lowered for the more
distant states as well. The necessary re-
suit would inevitably be that new areas of
wheat land would be put under the plough
and the product find its way to market to
diminish the value of the article in the sea-
board citics,by reason of the quantity being
in excess of the demand. Thus it is ques
tionable whether Il mere reduction OF the
rates Of freight would he the panacca for the
ills complained of by the western farmer.
Such reduction would doubtless he in the
interest of the seaboard mechanic even
more than in that of the western wheat
grower, hut would be fatal TO those agri-
cultural regions which now prosper by
reason of the present rates of freight.
Vermont now can raise potatoes for
Boston and get fifty cents per bushcl for
doing it, but add through the lowering of
freights. belt of land two hundred miles
wide to compete in the Boston market we
doubt not that potato raising would soon
bee ONE lost art in Vermont. especially If
that added. were an area all virgin to potato
production.and could turn ont lis two hun
drcd bushels 10 the acre to Ncrmont's one
hundred.
To the Illinois farmers, and We speak
| of Illinois as typical region. the EMBEDDING
of a broad belt of new land whose product
ivcness has not yet been enfceblcd by TIL
| lage, the evil is more than appears at first
sight. Illinois grows wheat for Massachu-
sctts because Illinois has cheaper and richer
land so much cheaper and richer that she
can raise her wheat. transport it to Massa-
chusc.ts and offer 1t to the consumer at Il
less price than it can be produced in Mas
sachuselts. Massachusetts does not grow
wheat for the reason that her lands, as to
wheat. are naturally exhausted. The tend
cncy of wheat growing is westward, and
this, because wheat takes from and returns
not to the land, and the restoration of its
fertility is Il costly process. For these
reasons the lands now lying idle as 10 wheat
because of freight rates. are yet ready and
at the tap Of the drum to enter into the
markets of the world as soon as the
grangcrs millennium of low rates shall come
to pass.
The example of New England agricul-
tuIc is suggestive of one remedy applicable
to the wants of the western farmers. That
is the adaptation of her industry to the
costs of transportation, in so far as she pro.
oil transport, the conversc-oi tn6'ponct DIP.
plicable to the west. Now, New England
produces butter, eggs. poultry, potatoes
hay veal calves, etc, fer export, corn
wheat, rye, beef. mutton, for consumption
not export. If tie west instead
of sending cattle on foot could devise
means, and it can he done, and at no dis
tant day it will be done, by which the quar-.
tiers alone should be shipped; if she would
convert her corn into meat and ship the
meat if she would convert her grass into
mutton. wool, butter and cheese, all arti-
Giles easy of transport. If she would grow
hemp, flax, tobacco, each in its proper To-
cality. If in place of sending great wicldy,
soft fibrel horses, she would raise sinewy
western animals, fitted for New England
use; if, finally, she would adopt more
varied industry, looking to the wants of
other regions as well as to the capacity of
her own, and adopt her products to the
circumstances in which by the laws of
trade she is already placed, she would find
true solution of her present embarrass-
ments as well ia contribute to the general
welfare.
Again, while the productive industries
have something to learn, our COM
mon carriers and par excellence our rail
roads, have something to learn; and first of
all they will learn, and this because they
must, to waive something of the arrogance
OF carital,to feel that intcrdepcndencc of all
Industries which whether they will or not
embraces theirs in its mighty grasp. The
growing tendency in great monicd corpo-
ratlons, tendency growing with their
growth, TO WELD their vast powers in their
own interest solely, is not only unjust but
also unwise. Above all much of the policy
Is shortsightcd as to their own interest.
The commonwealth gives unityto disasso-
ciated capital, consolidatcs power in the
hands fafcw, confers upon them the rghtof
OF a eminent domain with all the freedom
OF action incident to private right, to the end
that thereby the public good may he at
tanned. Power and right thus attained.
whenever it forgets the object for which
il was conferred, lapses TO those from
whom 1t was obtained. In other words, if
railroad now in operation, say the Rut-
land " Burlington, were to go into the lum-
her business and to refuse to carry any
freight for any one except itself we take
1t their charter, and then their tenure of the
land now held by the eminent domain
would not be worth months holding For
the public good sought by the state in con-
ierring the roads, chartered rights. is the
carrying of freight and passengers at rates
compatible with the industrial interests of
the state, 1t is not merely the right of
travelling by rail, but of travelling and of
having these articles carried at such rates
as VIII pay reasonable profits to the carrier
and cheaper the carriage to the producer.
Does any one suppose that the chartered
privileges of railroads would ever be given
upon any other idea? that railroad
would be chartered between Rutland and
Whitehall which started with the intention
to charge as much for carving marble To