The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1873-09-05

, cessive charges for shorter distances,
: and between points where there are
no competing lines. This evil ought
: to be remedied.
But in my judgment there is a
greater wrong than this. l mean the
little Credit Mobilier organization, in
side the railroad corporations, con-
, posed wholly or for the most part OF
} the officers of the company, who, un
! der the name Of Fast Freight lines, OF
, other designation, contract with them
selves, realiZa enOTmC Us profits, and
: enrich themselves at the expense OF
the stockholders, of the public, OF
both. Such organizations ought, il
: possible, to be prohibited by law, aud
, the officers of railroad companies
: should be prevented from speculating
out of the trust positions they occupy
at the expense Of the people who are
at their mercy.
Among the ways proposed to secure
, cheap transportation, is the opening
J up of the great national highways
the rivers and the lakes. These being
J improved and connected, were neces
sary, by canals. The improvements
of the Ohio and its tributaries is GER
tainly worthy of our efforts. Whether
: a grand canal, or systom of water
communication, reaching to the
ocean, would bring to US in Ohio a
return equal to the cost, has yet to be
demOnstI ated.
There should be no indiscriminate
and wild crusade against railroads.
They should De encouraged, and al
lowed fair compensation for the capital
invested, aud the risks encountered
they have been, and Will continue to
be, of incalculable benefit to our peo-
pie. They should simply not be per
mitted to abuse their privileges, or to
Cypress those they were intended to
assist. What would the great State
OF Ohio have been to-day without the
introduction OF railroads We want
more, and We must have them. We
are ali anxiOuSly waiting for the com
pletlon OF the great enterprise, the
Cincinnati Southern Railroad, which
is to open up TOR our farmers, mechan-
les, and merchants the ready markets
OF the South, now completely cut off
from US. The products OF our coal
fields and iron mountains must be
brought nearer to purchasers anxious
to buy. Our rapidly increasing and
swift growing towns and cities must
be put in easy communication with
the trade centers. The farmers in the
agricultural districts must be able to
reach with their produce the meehau-
| les in the town. As the cities grow,
the country thrives. The most reli
able of all markets is the home mar
ket, and it will not be many years
before the Ohio farmer can sell all he
raises, at fair and remunerative prices,
within the limits OF his own State.
We already import wheat for home
consumption. Soon we shall want
corn and other articles of food. Not
many years hence the question with
us will be not where the farmer shall
lind market and how be shall get
there at cheap rates of transportation,
but how we shall increase production
to supply the local demand? The
science Of agriculture will be studied
and practiced until the earth shall
yield her bounties four-toid to the
thrifty, intelligent, prosperous, and
happy laborers in the fields. There is
no war between the farmer and the
mechanic /; there ought to be no con
flict between capital and labor. Each
should help the other, that all might
prosper together.
PoIititians have looked with more
or less concern upon the organizl-
ton of farmers clubs in the Western
States, lest by some possibility they
may hereafter be used for or against
some aspiring statesman. ] am free
to say can see no reason why such
associations should not be formed.
We have legal and medical, ministe-
rial and trade associations, aud why
not farmers as well {? l have conf
dencc that the agriculturists are as
sensible IS other people, aud do
not believe they can be used by de-
signing men for personal ends, or for
any purpose other than for their own
and the public good. Worthy and
reputable public men need not fear
their influence. X only bad men are
retired by their action, no harm will
be done. By we'll organized and
proper associations, intelligent farm
ers can impart valuable information
to their neighbors. When any i'm
portant interest requires an advocate,
the Gblest representative can be select
ed to present the case. There is no
reason why sueh an organization
should degenerate into political ma
chimes, any more than in the case oi
lawyers doctors, and clergymen. The
farmers and mechanics OF Ohio will
soon have their own college, open and
free to all, where their sons can be
educated for lives of usefulness
either for the occupation OF their
fathers, or for any other honorable
avocatiOn in life. As the means o.!
knowledge multiply, we hope and be
lieve the standard of intelligence will
be elevated, and that prosperity and
J happiness will abound in proportion
to the privileges enjoyed.
# is gratifying to know that the
value of farming lands 10 Ohio has
increased more than two hundred
per cent, in the last ten years. The
value OF lsrm products amounts to
5000, 100000 annually. l see it esti-
mated that at present one half the
amount raised iS exported, bringing
r 6 return TO the farmer of about seven
: per cent. on his investment, exclu-
z sive Of rent and subsistence. This,
(, to ne sure, does not equal the excep-
: tional profits in some other kinds OF
e business, bat OF the other hand, it IS
t not suject TO the risks which always
attend upon employment Of capital
! where great returns are sometimes re-
D allied. I believe the farmers of OhiC
. are contented and happy. trust
I the future has in store for them in
= creased rewards for their labor ,cbuud
:, ant returns tor their investments
e multiplied comforts and unexsmplet
o prosperity.
n The present cash value OF the farm:
e of Ohio is set down at 3 ,05f. .4G5 ,226
It the value of farming implements a
S25, ,692, ,7S7 the wages paid, includ
$ ing the value of board, amounts t
I s16 .4s0,T7S; the annual value of al
. farming productions is Sl9S, ,256, 800
II orchard products, s.. .643. .679; pro
e duce of market gardens, 81 .2o9, ,272
% the number of acres improved is IA,
. 469 I33 woodland, 6,SS3, SIS acres
,r unimproved, other than woodland
o only 359, ,712 acres
= It will be seen that almost our en-
,e tire State, except the necessary wood
d land, is now under cultivation. As
W before remarked, it will, ere msn
T. yesrs, be necessary to largely in
10 crease production, N order TO suppl
p the home demand. The prospect 70
TO our farmers Is hopeful and d-eheerine
There are certain matters abou
as which all parties seem TO sgree. j
le is sgreed that there ought to be rigi
L. economy in the administration {
n sffairs that taxes ought to be re
= duced as much as the current e.
a penses of the government, the interes