The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-02-10

ers of small agricultural implements have
been found ready to sell direct to oranges
at wholesale rates. With the manufacturers
Of reapers and I'VE ihs case has been diff
ferent, not that they were unwilling to do
so from any principle or prejudice, but no
one state was strong enough to show them
that they could offer a 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. The
subject of cooperative stores Is one in
which subordinate oranges have manifested
much interest, but the want of definite
Information as to the mostsapproved and
successful plan for conducting them
has prevented their general establishment,
L am Of opinion that the National Grange
should propose a careful and elaborate plan
for such stores, using therefor the abundant
materials which the experience OF the Koch
dale and other societies afford. This would
be hailed with delight by thousands of Pa
irons who are now grouping in the dark.
TRANSPORTATION
OF farm products to market IS an outgrowth
of and properly a part of the same question,
and apart which has laid hold or the consci.
enceo of our people.In acountry of magnificent
distances, the transportation of heavy farm
products by wagons to market is, of course,
out of the question. Railroads are a neces.
sity of the times and circumstances. Full y
recognizing this, the government has kind
ly fostered and literally subsidized the m.
The people have heavily taxed themselves
to aid in their construction. expecting sub
stantial benefits in re. urn. While we readily
assent to the proposition that railroads, even
as now, conducted, add immensely to the
development of the country and the conven-
fence of the people; still, in our inmost soul,
we feel deeply wronged at the return made
for the kipd and liberal spirit we have shown
them. Rates of freight are often exorbi-
family high and frequently changed. Often
a larger bill is charged for a short distance
than a long one, thus discriminating against
places, and often higher rates are charged
one individual than another, thus discrimi-
mating against persons. When we plant q
crop we can only guess b it will cost to
send it to market, for we are the slaves OF
those whom we created. What shal be the
remedy? Where lies the difficulty? Fol-
aver in our own ranks there is q babel OF
opinion. Some advocate new routes east,
subsidized by government, either rail or
caual; others would nave new roads made
by private enterprise and trustto competition.
the first of these would require many years
before they can afford the relief which we
want now; and besides, viii surely develop
into other credit mobiliers. The second will
only add one more link to the chain which
now binds us hand and foot. Isee no solu-
ton for this question but for congress to
avail itself of its constitutional right to reg
ulate commerce between the states, and for
the states themselves to regulate the tariffs
within their own boundaries. this
right is vested in the government of the
states and nation seems wholly clear. When
a railroad is to be built, the line of which
crosses my private property, and
II do not wish to have this
property mutilated, L frankly so
inform the railroad. Government now
steps in and very properly says This rail-
road is for the development of the State,
and on the ground hat the public good de-
mands its construction, you must sell them
your right of way, and we will allow you a
reasonable compensation therefor" Now,
it seems clear to me that the same govern
ment which can take my land for the public
good, and fix the price therefor, can say to
this railroad 1.-THE public good demands
that you carry frelghts and persons at rea-
sonable rates, which you .hencetorth must
do, and we will decide what those rates
shall be-"
AS we'll as any one / fully appreciate the
difficulties which are in the way Of a traffic
fixed by law-I can easily see where it may
sometimes work hardship and even actual
wrong. But it is amazing, it seems to me
| prepQSterQuS, 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 in.
crease of railroads has only resulted in more
gigantic combinations. 1t will doubtless be
difficult to induce ournational legislature and
most of u state legislatures to pass
any such law which will be efficient, fol
there is no money in it. TIE proposition
which will be most likely to meet with favor
- - -. INIfoC xusI1 - A. lrIs--
OF new railroads, or digging vast canals
which will allow them the opportunity to
spend s5O,OOO,OO0 or s1OO,OO 900, which W.
VIII at last have
THE PRODUCERS PRIVILEGE OF PAYING.
When such mounts as that are
to be expended, it is easy tc
advance a class of arguments which usually
those artificial highways nature has placed q
most magnificent river right through the
heart of the agricultural region of our coun.
try, reaching from the wheat fields of Min.
nesota to the sugar plantations of Louisiana.
which, with a small expenditure, can be
made capable of bearing on its bosom the
products of a continent. Even now a single
rapids, a sand bar, and a most heartless tow
boat ring are all that seriously impede its
navigation. Matters of such Importance as
those should receive at your hand most
most patient investigation and care.
full consideration. b clause of
Art. 5 of our constitution which reads,
"Any person interested in agricultural pur-
suits" is capable of such varied const-uc-
ton that much confusion and misunder-
standing has resulted. During the infancy
of the Order, when members were few, our
strength puny, and our chiefaim simply So
cial and educational, there was little danger
in constructing this clause literally and adj.
hitting nearly all who would pay the fee
and consent to join such a weak and unpop-
ular institution. But now all these circum'
stances are changed. To be a Patron OF
Husbandry is no longer Of doubtful propri-
ETY., but the proudest in the land are knock
ing at our doors. The order has become
recognized as one of the great powers in the
land, and the gatesare besieged from ocean to
ocean, by hordes of Spectators, dema-
gogues, small politicians, g~rain-buyers, cot
ton factors, lawyers, wins suddenly discover
that they are interested in agricultural
pursuits" but only as a hawk is interested
In the sparrow. You would do well to give
Ibis mattar a most caraful review. and by