The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-07-19
WHY ARE FARMERS DlssAfIs-
FLED?
FROM A woMAN's STAND POINT.

We have recently noticed in the aQricul
tural papers several artacles upon the ques
ton, Of the day fro@ womens which hav,
evinced very thorough comprehension d
the subjects discussed We are pleased q
zee the evidence Of their interest
/ Few gentlemen viii question that the
advice Of an intelligent and frugal wife
upon business matters is worthy consider.
alton, and we do not share Ia the prejudice
against their taking part in the discussions
through the public press. Such views a.
are expressed in the following article are
a. valuable Ss though presented by man
The above question, recently put by the
Department Of Agriculture At Washington,
Is Az appeal to each one Of uA 10 make
known our grievances. To one who lives
In al atmosphere where servants raise
their salaries At will, and are self consti-
tuted Judges of the value Of their services
1t is probably a matter Of surprise that we
should be dissatisfied. The answer of the
question is simply that we want an in
crease of salary also. The excuse for our
public servants increasing their salaries by
their own votes is, not that they bring
more of tNlent or honesty than their prede-
cessOrs, but the increased cost Of living
The same is our excuse. II is but score
Of years since we had plenty Of such men
as Webster, Clay, Benton, Cass and others,
who were willing to serve their country at
the rate of - per day, and these men al
ways found plenty to fill the places at that
rate. In 1866 those patriotic Legislators
raised their salaries TO 81, 900 for the ses-
sion. Again, in 1867, they increased it to
70, 900, and, at the recent session, to 81
O5O We think this rather high wages, es-
pecially as there are plenty of honest men
to do the work better for less money.
In other departments Of life the case il
similar. Fifteen years ago good farm
hands could be hired for from $l2 TO sl5
per month. Now they cannot be hired for
less than $40. Then a good competent
girl could be hired to assist the farmers
wife for 81 per week; now the price il x3.
Then il the tired house wife wished 10 es-
cape the labor of washing, she could hire it
done for 80 cents, now it takes 81, or 8
bushels of corn. Then good mechanic
could be hired to build house or barn for
from 81, 90 to 81 80 per day: now we pay
50. Then if wife wished moral sup
port" that came from being well dressed,
a handsome black sick could be bought for
80; now it requires three times that
amount. Then one fatten hog would pay
our taxes; now, with little increase in value
Of property, 1t takes yard full. Then all
the property Of the country was taxed, to
bear the burden Of the government; nov,
by the skillful In&nipulations ofpoliticians,
large part Of the wealth of the country is
invested where it pays no taxes; leaving
more than proportionate share to be paid
by the farmer. 1t Is true tina Nature has
dealt fairly with us, and bountifully gives
MS our bread, provided we work eighteen
hours every day, and give only SIX to the
bed. But the railroads have also voted an
increase Of salary, and take three bushels
Of our grain for carrying one 70 the sea-
board, thus giving us less than the cost Of
production, Can we not, also. rightfully
make plea Of the increase cost Of living, ''
and vote to increase our salariesl There
must be power underlying our political
structure which, in the hands Of honest
legislation, would secure equal Justice to
all; but not when welded by men whose
hands are filled with corruption and bri-
berry.
The words Of the poet are peculiarly ap-
RAA~epAC " puA PaOrCtAt -tiAhCtB
III you'd enjoy your gingerbread
Or slip your sweetensd cndee with delight
~ sugar making pFay avosd the sight
And Il With greater cause.
You would re-pect the laws,
which should BE- reversed u be obeyed
u i.n't besa 70 them made
Such Is the state ns things which makes
farmers discouraged. Our Legislators, in
stead Of lAboring for the good Of the whole
people, are seeking by any means, lawful
or unlawful, to promote their own selfish
ends; and a. Romans betrayed Rome, "
50 Americans are betraying America. Our
rulers are bought and sold. and 1.-THE peo-
pie pay the tribute money Farmers,
look for the remedy, and before it is to
late to save our country from impending
ruin, rally the honest and true men to iii
the Offices.
Before all partice, and party obligatinns,
comes the paramount obligation to elect
men who dare to do right The word
reform should be the key note Of our ma
tionsl gatherings. Ii should he made to
toll in chimes of fearful warning to the ears
Of Legislators Reform in the character Of
our rulers. .- Prairie Fdrmer.