Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-07-17
HE RUTLAND HERALD.
PATRONS OF HUsBANDRY.

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Organization and concerted effort are
rrobably the needed instrumentalities by
which the great grievances, now suf-
fered by the farmers of the West,
must be adjusted and reformed. There
can be no doubt but what the share of |
the price for which produce is sold in
the eastern market, that finds its way to
the hands of the producer, is too small |
and disproportionate, and that some
scheme ought to be devised by which the
farmers of the prairies can obtain better
enumeration for their grains and the
products of their labor; but we submit
that the formation of a secret political
marty in their interest, to control cleo
lions or to make war upon railroads and
TRANSFORMATION lines, is not the panacea
that is to bring about their millennium of
ready sales and remunerative prices.
There are two principal reasons why the
farmers throughout the country are not
making money rapidly, and these are the
extreme fludtuation of prices and the low
acreage crops per acre for the land cul-
yated. The first of these, the uneven
current of prices, is controlled by the
great laws of supply and demand, and
individual efforts of farmers or middle
men cannot materially affect it; but by
combinations of spectators not to buy
when the supply is large and the mar
kets crowded, prices are reduced far be-
low the cost Of production and it is to
meet and overcome the effects of these
injurious combinations, and to confer
together in reference to the state of the
markets, as well as by a greater acquisi-
ton of practical knowledge, to learn the
laws of trade and to work in harmony
with the current of events, that oranges
Of organized farmers can work out mani
fest destiny for their class, and in part
control the prices of their productions.
We want greater intelligence among
farmers as well as in all other classes,
and organization will have tendency to
promote that higher intelligence
The question of oyerstocking the
market, and of retaining that balance of
control Of the staple productions of the
country so as to abolish all attempts of
sharpcrs to form corners, and govern the
course Of trade in the interests of specu-
lation, is one upon which learned and eX-
pericnced men may we'll deliberate to-
gether If transportation companies
become extortious and grasping, other
and rival lines can be constructed or OBJ
tanned, and self-interest, the great incen-
tive to fair dealing among INSCRIPTIONS
operators, will soon reduce rates to an
equitable standard. General grumbling
or fighting railroads by political action
viii not bring relief. If laws are need
ed to curb monopolies and to secure JUS
tice, they can easily be obtained from
legislatures, constituted Of men who
have learned from organized experience
the best methods of applying and direct
ing labor and the laws of trade, and who
have seen how quickly all unholy com.
binations sink out of sight in the face OF
intelligent efforts, in Legitimate manner,
to secure justice.
A secret political party composed OF
men who do not fully appreciate tho
cause of the injustice of which they
complain may strike heavy blows, but
they will fall on friends and foes alike
Men to make organization effective must
not attribute the results of their owr
Encouragement to railroads, speculatOr:
or politicians. If prices fall with al
overstockcd market, they must expect
that the rate of transportation will be
greater in proportion to the price, than il
a normal condition was retained by a
judicious regulation of the goods for
sale ut home. If farmers sell all theil
corn to spectators they may we'll eX.
pcct tosee a large disproportion between
the price received by them and that paiC
by the consumer. And we submit thai
the vital question for consideration lie:
deeper than freight tables or marshalins
votes. and that while farmers only or
ganize to war upon railroads or cOnduc
political campaigns, they sink the dig
nifty of their profession, and place them
selves more and more at the mercy Of
designing sharpers, who may desire tt
Use them by pandering to yitiatcd anC
mistaken public sentiment.