Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-06-21

NOTHING crlpples the energies of a coun-
try worse than a disposition on the part OF
its people to run in debt. 1t is perfectly l-
gitimate to borrow money to engage in bust
ness enterprises. for in this case the borrow
er looks to his investment to bring funds TO
nav the interest careful business men make
this profitable. But this is altogether differ
ent from what is generally termed running
in debt.
Running in debt is getting behind with
payments, buying on credit, indulglng III the
luxuries OF life; becoming encountered and
having nothing to show for it. This Is what
breaks men up in business, or keeps them
hard pushed all their lives to keep the wolf
from the door. The farmer who has a fam
ilv dependent upon him for support should
never place a mortgage upon his home, lest
he NAV fail to meet his calculations, and in
course of time see all that is dear to him
turned out of doors.
Inflicted with grasshoppers as Montana
has been for the past few years, it has been
indeed difficult for many farmers to provide
the necessaries of life without asking credit
But all should manage to keep some poul'
try, a few hogs, and make a few pounds Of
butter, in order to provide the necessarles i'll
dase of failure of crops. Nine-tenths OF the
poverty that exists among the agricultural
class may be attributed to a lack OF Judg-
ment. short-sightedness, or profligacy ano
extravaganza. After a debt has been incur
red the interest becomes a steady drain upon
our industry. and In many cases it is allowed
to accumulate from year to year until oul
substance is entirely swallowed up. There
are a few instances where it is necessary tc
ask time, but he who has the courage to
deny himself until able to pay cash will soon
get ahead In the world; while he who
plunges ahead, regardless of consequences,
exercising his credit because his face is
good, will, nine times out of ten, always be
a slave.
The California Ag7icuttur5st and artisan
contains the following excellent remarks in
regard to interest
''Interest is the worm that grows unceas.
ingly into the vitals of industry. 1t out
numbers the g~rasshoppers on the plains. II
consumes seven-eighths of the products Of
busy hands. 1t brings ruin upon thousands
of enterprises every year. Nearly every
dollar in circulation is drawing inter1at from
somebody, and the little that does nSfis be-
ing withdrawn by evil-doers to give place tt
that which will. The largest proportion O
titled lands are infested with interest
Towns, Cities, Counties, States, and ever
the nation, all are drained by interest. Thu
great mass of busy people, and all thu
the homes that are m~ortgaged, are victim!
of this Unsuitable worm-interest! 1t is TIN
greatest curse entailed upon labor in our ag'
and civilization. TO get rid of it should ex
ercise the best energies of every lover Of hi
race, every patriot to his country. Th'
vicious schemes through which it tastens it
self upon all public enterprises should b
opposed, Our industries are nearly stran
gled, millions of our countrymen are i'm
poverished and dependent, and our very ma
tional existence is seriously endangered b,
this curse of curses~-this scourge of the LAM
interest. Keep yourself ever free from it
fangs, If you would enjoy the products Q
Your own labor and enterprise.
The following from a gentleman in CHI
cago is a specimen of the letters of enquir
not ~unfrequently received ut this office:
DEAR SIR Il have noticed in your Walt
able columns about the Smith river in Mon