Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-04-17


Co. Auditor. |
For the Counl.R
THE NECEssITY Or AGRICULTURAI
HOME MANUFACTURES.
The most sesf-ruim;ng opposition
with which the Patrons Of Husbandry
have to contend, are the corporations
established for manufacturing agricul-
tural implements and machinery. It /
is currently reported and believed
that already manufacturers ARE COM
bining together to use their influence
and power to thwart the measures and
plans of agriculturists, who dare fol-
low the example of all other trades
men, by combining for the purpose of
promoting their own Interests and
counseling for their future welfare and
security.
The prevalent idea which seems to
govern capitalists in such hostility to
our organizations, seems to be that the
farmers intelligence does not rise
much superior to the herd he drives,
or the horse he has trained to do his
bidding. From such stupid delusions
they may (ere many years pass away,)
awake to discover how painfully they
have been mistaken, and perhaps find
large share Of their business taken
out Of their hands.
Tho only channel through which
their trade can enter, Is in the hands
Of the tiller Of the soil. What folly is
1t then for men so dependent upon the
farmer for their support and prosperity,
to combine and league themselves to-
gether, to wage war Of persecution
against the only class from whom they
can expect to derive any custom
There. is one fact which some men
seem totally oblivious to, and that fact
is, that dg,sculturists possess the mate
rial among Themselves for the transac-
ton Of cUery essential branch Of
business. tchtch has any bearing upon,
their interests. And such procedure
upon tho part Of manufacturers, will,
Of necessity, drive farmers through
the agency of combination to the cree
ton and prosecution of manufacturing
establishments, independent Of those
who have heretofore supplied the
wants Of our own particular brauoh
of industry.
Who is It should deplore this step
upon the part of the farmer most7 Is
it the ones who in such An emergency
would secure the necessities of manu-.
facture, or 10 it those who have been
engaged In the manufacturing Of farm
machinery, but because farmers asked
them to sell direct to their class
without the swarm of commission or
middle men. standing between, to reap
the lions share Of the profits,) they
have combined upon such slight pre-
text to break down the interests of
their patrons. 1t requires no high
stretch Of intelligence, to foresee the
result consequent upon such foolish
madness, upon the part Of the firms
which have been amassing such enor-
nous wealth at the expense Of agricul.
raj resources, until they have now
grown to be insolent, and debating
monopolies.
The attendant expense Of establish.
ing implement and machine factories.
a. NfrvNn y.
ing nature, that many would shrink
back from the undertaking, were
there any other course to pursue,
which would be honorable and benefi-
cial to themselves. But under present
circumstances, tho speed with which
we are drifting To such state of affairs
is self evident to oil discerning minds.
When for the simple article Of
q sewing machine the farmer must
pay .Ifve times the cost Of manufacture,
because the manu- actssrers have deter
mined to ecdct their price, the inter.
est of every class of labor in the West,
demands no farther extension of pat
ents, upon articles that have SO long
been furnished us at such extortiOnate
prices. And we, who represent the
most valuable branch Of industry are
beginning to feel like pressing these
demands upon our legislative depart
ments Of the government; not only
in regard to patents upon sewing ma
chimes, but for articles Of q much
coarscr nature, and of moro essential
impOrtanceto our profession.
Ii we have half q million persons in
lows deriving their support from ag-
rio IA N raj mr. vc.,stu e,,l Aho., nouxvsk.,
ted the small sum Of one dollar per
head, II would furnish sum that
would III properly handled,) 60 far in
building up home manu- factories, ,cltich
could be controlled altogether by the
r0ice Of tie farmer. To deny the fea-
sibilitv of such project is to affirm
the incompetency OF the farmer for
the transaction of his own business,
without the aid Of some especial guar
dian or agent.
Are the people of the West capable
of supporting home manufactures, Is
problem which has been long attract
ing public attention, and now we have
the opportunity presented to solve it
In satisfactory manner. We only
require unity aud concert If action, to
satisfy the most incredulous and skep-
teal, that there is strength and pow
er slunlbcring in our particular branch
Of industry, which, when properly
aroused, can place such restraints upon
the encroaching spirit Of capital. as TO
curb IL in ITS proper channel for heal
thy action. That unity we are rap
idly acquiring in our. organization
of Patrons Of Husbandry, which is
rapidly educating the farmers up 10
knowledge Of the true nature OF
their difficulties and the proper
method Of relief.
We find we are annually sinking
more money in the purchase Of i'm
ported articles, than IL would require
to build sufficient number Of manu-
factories to supply ALL OF the more
immediate wants Of the people. With |
all the enormous freights Imposed up.
on us by railroad companies, we ship
our wool to the East to be converted
into cloth, and the cloth we wear is
shipped back to us, freight being paid
both ways, and several middle men
handling it very often, sUho must each
hare their liring profts, before we lay
eyes ON It again. Where is there nny