Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1874-01-30
Free Trade and Farmers Rights.


The grievance of the Western farmers a
gainst the railroads may be and doubtless
is to some extent real one But, remarks
the New York World, that there is some
thing behind the railroads which needs
looking after the Western farmers may
learn from the fact that farmers nearer the
seaboard feel the weight of burdens the
imposition of which can in nOwise be
charged against the railroads. What that
something is the farmers of Genesee coun-
ty, in this State, declare with no uncertain
voice. At largely attended convention
of the wealthiest and most intelligent far
mers of the county, recently held for the
purpose organizing grange, the Chair
man of the Committee on Resolutions in
sisted in a strong speech that the farmers
grievances are "a deprecated currency, a
protective tariff, and corruption in the adj
ministration of government" He went a
stride further in the enunciatiou of sound
Democratic doctrine in attributing much
ofthe corruption ofrecent administrations
to the prevailing system ''of governmental
interference with measures and interests
that should be left to the States or to indi-
vidual enterprise" The resolutions which
We're prcfaced by this speech and which
with almost perfect unanimity are refresh
ing for the clearness and the vigor with
which, though coming from an organiza-
ton independent of party ties, they in
parts assert and insist upon the doctrines
OF the Democratic party:
"FTrst-We believe that sovereignty belongs
only 10 the State-that the State cannot dele
gate or surrender that sovereignty TO lndlvld-
uals or corporations, but mus; forever retain
the right To limit regulate, and control the im-
muni,ies and Franchise granted by acts OF incor-
poratOn.
'S>conf-That the burdens as well as the
blessings of government should rest as equally
As possible upon all interests and classes IN So
cicty therefore We opposed to class legiSla-
ton and monopolies of every kind and charac-
tcr-and insist that they shall no longer receive
encouragement and protection at the hands OF
the Legislature.
"Thlri-That only upon q sound currency
convertible at all times into gold and silver can
labor securely rely for its just reward. It's de-
probation unsetticS values, fosters speculation,
illustrates the most prudent and careful caicula-
tons. bears heavily upon wearicd Labor, and is
fruitful source of mercantile and financial rev.
olutiuns. Therefore We desire "A return to spe-
sic payments as soon as il can he done without
too great shock to the business of the coun-
| Try.
'FoErfh-That we are opposed 10 the grant
ing of the public lands to corporations, but hold
that they should I've sold only 10 actual settlers.
"FitA-That We demand retrenchment in
the expenses and economy in the administra-
ton of every department OF the public service.
/ That 50 long as the various Industries OF the
country are staggering under the heavy burden
of local. State, and national taxation and while
the agricultural interests especially depress-
ed by this burden. there is no excuse for and
we will no, willingly tolerate any increase in
the salaries of public officers. That the bill
passed the las; hour OF the last day of the last
Congress, commonly called the salary grab,
was immoral IN principle, unjust IN operation,
and gross outrage upon the popular sentiment
OF the country and demand its immediate
and unconditional repeal
When farmers throughout the country
make their voices unanimous with the
voice of the farmers of Genesee county in
the demand for Free Trade and a sound
currency. there will he an end TO the grie-
vances whereof farmers everywhere now
SO Justly complain,