Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-02-27

Co-OperstIon,
Most of these manufacturers Of small az.
ricultural implements have beonIfound ready
to sell direct to grangts at Wholesale rates
With the manufacturers Of reapers and NOW.
ers the case has been different, not that they
we're unwilling to do so from any principle or
prejudice but no one state was strong enough
to show thom that they could offer more
certain market for their wares than could be
obtained through their present system of
agencies.
In such cases as these it is the duty Of the
National TO lend its aid to the state oranges
or by itself grapple with the difficulty. Tho
subject Of cooperation is one in which sub
ordinate oranges have manifested much in
terest, but the want Of definite information
as to the most approved and successful plan
Of conducting them has prevented their gen.
eral establishment. am of opinion that the
National Grange should propose a careful
and elaborate plan for such stores, using
therefor the abundant material which the cx-
percncc Of Rochdale and other societies af-
fords This would be hailed with delight by
thousands Of Patrons who are now cropping
in the dark.
transportation.
Transportation of farm products to mar.
ket is also an outgrowth of, and properly n
part Of the same question, and part which
has laid firm bold on the conscience of our
people, 10 country Of magnificent distan-
ces, the transportation of heavy farm pro-
ducts by wagons to market is of course
out of the question. Railroads are a neces-
sity Of the times and circumstances. Fully
recognizing this the government has kindly
fostered aud literally subsidized them. The
people have heavily taxed themselves to aid
intheir construction, expecting substantial
benefits in return. While we readily assent
to the proposition that railroads, even as now
conducted, add immensely to the develop
ment of the country and the convenience of
the people, still in our inmost soul we feel
deeply wronged at the return made for the
kind and liberal spirit we have shown
them.
Rates of freight arc often exorbitantly
high and frequently changed. Often larger
bill is charged for short distance than
long one, thus discriminating against places,
and often higher rates are charged one ndi-
against persons When we plant a crop we
can only guess what it will cost to send it to
market, for we are the slaves of those whom
we created.
| need not here repeat what the discus
sions of the last two years have developed
concerning the rascalities Of watered stock,
construction companies buying legislators in
state aud nation, and Credit Moblier. These
have been ventilated till we fully under
stand
Commerce between States.
What shall be the remedy? Where lie
the difficulties? For even in our own ranks
there is a babel of opinion. Some advocate
new routes Fast, subsidized by government,
either rail or canal others would have new
roads made by private enterprise and trust to
competition.
The first Of these would require many
years before they can afford the relief which
we want now ; and besides will surely de-
veop into other Credit Mobiliers. The Sec
ond will only add one more link to the chain
which now binds us hand and foot. see
no solution Of this question but for Congress
to avail itself Of its constitutional right to
regulate commerce between the states, and
for the states themselves to regulate the tar
ifs within their own boundaries. That this
right is vested in the government of the state
and nation seems wholly clear. When a
railroad is to be built, the line of which
crosses my private property, and | do not
wish to have this property mutiaied, l
frankly so inform the railroad. Government
now steps in and very properly says This
railroad is for the development of the states,
and on the ground that the public good de-
mands its construction you must sell them
your right Of way and we will allow you a
reasonable compensation therefor. 4"
Now, it seems clear to me that the same
government which can take my land for the
public good and fix the price therefor, can
say to this railroad, " The public good de-
mands that you carry freights and persons at
reasonable rates, which you henceforth must
do, and we will decide what those rates shall
be.
As we'll as any one fully appreciate the
difficulties which lie in the way of tariff
fixed by law can easily see where it may
sometimes work hardship and even actual
wrong. But it is amazing, it seems to me
preposterous, that disinterested men are not
as competent as those interested to fix rates
which shall be Just to the railroads and the
people. To rely on competition for relief
will only bring renewed disappointment,
Our past history shows that the rapid iu-
crease Of railroads has only resulted in more
gigantic combinations.
1t will doubtless be difficult to induce our
national legislature and most of our state leg
islatures to pass any such law which will be
efficient, for there is no money in it,
Various Propositions.
The propositions which will be most likely
to meet with favor in those august bodies
will be the building Of new railroads, or dig
ging vast canals, which will allow them the
opportunity to spend S50000,000 or $780,.
600, 900, which we will at last have the pro.
ducer's privilege of paying When ssch
amounts as that are to be expended, it is
easy to advance class Of arguments which
usually carry conviction to Legislators. Be-
sides those artificial highways, nature has
placed most magnificent river right through
the heart of the agricultural region of oul
country, reaching from the wheat fields Of
Minnesota to the sugar plantations of Louis
lana, which with small expenditure can be
made capable of bearing ON itsabosom the
products of continent. Even now n single
rapids, sand.bar aud most heartess tow
boat ring are all that seriously impede ii
navigation.
Matters OF such importance as these should
receive at your hands most patient iuyest
cation and careful consideration.
Since our last meeting our constitution and
laws have been subjected to the test Of an
other years trial. While this experiene,
has in the main, proven the wisdom of oul
predecessors, still your master, whose duty il
is to " see that the constitution aud bylaws
are observed and obeyed, has been made