The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-25
gendered by the difficulties of the strug-

gendered by the difficulties of the strug-
gle for existence on the farm.
There was complete misconception as
to the well-to-do condition of the farming
class in Ulster. Some years ago South
Irish gentleman shrewdly remarked that
the outward characteristics of the class
were deceptive. He said that the North
ern farmers turned out in better style on
Sundays and market days than the South
ern farmers, but that the real condition
OF the latter was more satisfactory Look
ing at the suddenness with which many
Ulster farmers have already gone down
since the fall in the price of agricultural
produce has set in, we certainly are dis
posed to infer that the prosperity of Ul-
ster was overrated. They have sue
cumbed to the first touch of adversity.
The merchant presses for his account, the
money lender for his loan on tenant right,
the landlord for his rent.
All pounce upon the poor man that
they may obtain something amidst the
general ruin. We do not utter word of
blame against these parties for striving
to recover their own, but we are i'm
pressed with the extent of these proceed
ings. The hollow nature of listers pros
perity is being revealed, and the revela-
tion comes like a disenchantment. The
tenantright custom of Ulster is excellent
in principle and practice just in proper
ton to its observance. In various ways
its defective legislation has not been
quite beneficial to the farmers. The in
flated value which it acquired after 1870
induced the landlords to raise their rents.
1t also induced the tenants to go more
deeply into debt.
Bitter consequences have ensued. Rent
is absorbing all the profit. Tenant-right
has become such uncertain security that
money lenders and traders are unwilling
to give temporary help. The poor far
mer's last resource is an appeal 10 the
landlord. Now, the landlord can do one
or two things, or both. He can either
give substantial reduction of rent or
postpone payment until better times. 1t
may be replied that it is bad policy to
allow rent to run in arrears. The policy
is bad, but we could fain hope that the
necessity is exceptional. If the rents are
insisted upon at November many farmers
will be unable to put in their crops next
spring. Various causes will combine to
make them sell their stocks in winter,
and when spring comes the prospect will
be the most dreary which has arisen since
the famine years. Matters should not be
allowed to drift on toward such catas-
trophe.
Some public body enjoying the conf
dence of landlords and tenants alike
should step forward and propose anchor
ative measures The cry all over Ulster
is that the landlords will do nothing. The
suspicion has taken root that the land
lords are waiting for total depreciation
Of tenant-right, in the hope of getting it
abolished throughout considerable por-
ton of the province. We make this sug-
gestion for a landlord and tenant confer.
r ence prior to the winter months. If il
be adopted, well; if not, the farmers must
then carry forward their own case upor
independent lines. Ulster is now ripe fol
the greatest agitation which has been wit
messed in the present century. The land
lords have been allowed ample time tt
consider their policy. When the whirl
, wind comes it can not be said that they
were not forewarned.