The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-03-26

Farming and railroading must go hand in
hand. I've sgrangers like to see the
steaming iron horse 20 rolling on its iron
track over these beautiful prairies BY our
very doors. We want to SEQ union be.
tween the transporting and producing ele-
ments OF this great country. We are not
responsible for the present deploratle
condition Of the railroads. In the first
place the managers or builders of the
railroads are themselves. to blame. They
have built them too fast; they hsyo cor
structed. ahem upon credit; they Ire
paper railroads.
Secondly, they are built before the
condition Of the country demanded them.
They constructed them to obtain the
land grants and bonuses. and not to ben.
eft tho communities, through which
they pass. Tho originators ol
the roads allowed themselves
to be swindled in building tho roads and
in fact swindli"g has taken the lead in
everything connected with them since
they were built. The principle upon
which they were bui]t-credit = the :. con.
d'tion OF the conntry-living on inflated
currency; the swindling in building them
and the lack Of business when and where
they were built, made it impossi-
bic for them to be paying institu.
tions. To meet these difficulties and keen
the roads the different companies have
issued bond after bond. based upon the
theory that their liberal land grants and
bonuses would carry them through. New
what we farmers complain of is trying
to make these roads paying institutions
by charging exorbitant freights, all of
which comes directly or indirectly out of
the farmers hard earnings.
pass to the 9Th an3 last clause Of this
subject, feeling that there is no reason
why the farmers and railroad companies
cannot cooperate and work in unison.
1t is for the interest Of the railroads to
increase the agricultural products Of the
western States as much as possible. The
more there is raised the greater amount
of surplus grain they will have to trans.
port. Farmers produce the most of their
freight. Those engaged in agriculture
number nearly one-half Of the producing
class Of the country.
Here is produced an interesting table
Of the industries and products Of the
country, which we are compelled to omit
for want Of space.--Ep.
Therefore, railroad companies instead
of discriminating against the farmers, in
favor Of what are known as middle men
should deal directly and honestly with
this great uproducing class. While
claim that the farmers are not to blame
for the present condition Of the railroads.
I must say that the farmers are no,
entirely to blame for the condition
in which they find themselves. All
other classes work by union t.
better their condition. The farmer
never did until the Grange was instituted
Let the farmers present united front tt
all other combinations and unions; anG
say we are willing to deal justly and hon
estly with you in every thing; and ".
want you to do the same by US; We arr
willing you should live and We want yor
to let us live; we will furnish freights fol
your railroads and pay you = fair pric.
for transporting it to ln,rket; but
we want you to charge us reason
able rates and protect our produc,
when consigned to your care. Make ou1
interests your interests and there can b.
no trouble between US. We produce foot
and clothing for tho non.producinf
classes OF the world, and you carry it Il
them. We exchange tho raw ,nateria
for the manufactured, and you bring il
to us. Therefore, We are both necessary
and let us work in unison.
will close by stating that tho Grang'
is defensive and not IN offensive insti
tuition.