Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-04-19
5bcpberostown Register.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 10. 1879.
Cause. orASr,calturs,l depression

We devote much CT our editorial
space this week to the insertion OF an
article which We copy from the Balti-
more Sun, of the llth inst. The article
contains stern facts, but the causes pro-
ducing the facts are not jus,ifable upon
principles OF justice. We think the facts
so broadly and boldly stated challenge
the serious consideration of the agrieul-
turist Of the Middle States, who by in
telligent, energetic, concerted action,
could prevent the disastrous results so
plainly predicted by those who in all
probability are benefited by the depre-
citation Of the value of the land IN the
districts referred TO. 1t is certainly
painful consolation 10 the farmers Of the
Eastern States TO be told TINT they have
contributed to the furnishing Of high
ways for the opening mp Of other see,
tons of the country, 10 their own mate
rial destruction.
We do not think that the principle
can be fairly conlroyeried, that it does
not cost one fart!ing more TO operate
tram CT cars per mile cast Of the Ale
ghauies than it does " est Of thems there
fore We hold that the railroads are re-
sponsible in = large degree for these
damaging rssal;s TO the value Of Our
lands. What would be the yalne Of
lands cast Of the hllechan;es if there
were no railroads west of themf Why
cannot railroads carry freights at the
same rates PER ton per nile east as they
do vest Of iha, range Of mountains!
Farmers Of Inc east, You are told that
the crisis is upon you-that steam has
ann;hi!sted distance; this Is 81 insult to
your intelligence; steam hastens transit
and shortsrs the time of movement
from point to point; il is only one of the
special pleas made to divert yon from
terretirg oat thu true cause which Is
bringing rain upon YOU Railroads in
their spirit Of rivalry have demonstrated
their ability to move freight cheaply,
and they should he compelled to treat
all alike, and not be permitted to ruin
one community or section Of our coun-
try for the benef. or building mp Of an
ther, and agerandiaing themselves.
WHO are the leading m;llionaires of our
country Railroad presidents. sc -
As has been wildly shown in our Lon
don correspondence, the English press
and people are greatly disturbed just now
about the extent and causes OF the agri-
cultural depression IN that country. which
has been incrcasin" in intensity for ten
wears. Tie outlook 1T present is more
gloomy than ever. Land will not pay
mere shan one and a-ha.f Per cent, near
IL all the farmers are losing money, and
thc quality OF the soil and the character
OF the husbandry are both deterorating.
Land has not yet gone down iii price, be-
ease there IS such an importance attach
cd TO the character OF landowner that
every rich man in England is eager to
bur IT; Dut this cannot last long. The
same causes which have put down the
value of land cast of the Al!eghanies in
this country are at work TO depresS It's
mice IN England. and mast have that eff
feet before a great while. As the New
Y.r. Nation pats il 1t seems indeed all
hut certain that the fate which long since
o;artoo,l landowners in the Eastern States
IF the Union is at last overtakinS those OF
EurlsnG The enormous quantity OF
rhcan fertile land which steam has
brought and is bringing into competition
with that Of tire older communities has
made Il impossible for land in any Of the
Eastern States, even in the neighborhood
Of the great towns, TO do more than sup
port .he person who works 1t, ana that III
very plain way. 1T is no cxaggerauon
TO sav that little if any land east ofthe
hileasranies will now enable q farmer 10
lnsintain himself ard his family deeently
and pay rent besides" IN Great Britain
tine laid has to compete not only with
cl,cap iusEsR,iry in the United States, but
IN II,Ji. also, 1T Hungary, Roumania,
Turicv in Europe and Russia, to all OF
which countries railroad communication
has been lately extended. As i writer in
the London Truth says:
"The reason why land in England must
become less and less valuable for agrlcul-
tural purposes ia that rapid communica-
lion is DESTROYING distances. and the cost
of the transit Of corn from California anu
ctharplaees where il can be produced on
,lsins that pay no rent and that require
no high farming is every year dinllnlsn-
inc. and every wear will still farther di-
min;sh. The reply for long was, Yes,
hut land will always be valuable for graz
zing purposes ! doubt this. The inn
uortations both Of live stock and OF dead
meat aye assuming enormous proper
tons"
The eject Of cheap transportation over
long distances ana cheap lanes brought
into cultivation by recently extended sys-
lens OF railroad communication mas pcen
20 produce one Of those painful CRISIS, al
WAYS the sources ofsore distress, known
=, ,,neriods of transition" in the agri-
culture Of the eastern half OF TINS country
mud oE Great Britain also. The crisis Is
inst Leg,nning in England. it is at its
.,,rnotest intensity in our Middle and
Southcrn Atlantic States, and il seems to
I.o well niqh overin New England, which
fol, the pressure OF Western competition
long before other sections OF the country.
pmG has learned in great measure how
20 adjust itself to the new conditions OF
hu.bandry. In New England they no
ionrcr attempt TO raise wheat and corn,
Ven for food and provcnder. The farmer
hnvs -four for his own table and corn for
hi: cattle, raising principally crops such
n. cannot compete with ms because !hey
cannot he transported chesply over long
|,;a,n,,cac In consequence OF this change