Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-04-01
THE AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS

We notice that Senator DAVIS Is fol-
lowing up his effort in behalf Of the az
ricultural interests Of the country by re-
introducing at this session the resOlu-
ton which failed to be acted upon by
the last Congress. Ii little agricul-
turll legislation could be sandwiChcd
between the political and financial plot
ting and schcming which absOrbs Con-
gress and the country, it would look
much like an oasis on the great desert Of
Congressional history.
When we remember that 'all wealth
comes originally from the ground" II is
surprising that statesmen do not recog-
nize the fitness of Il more frequent re-
currence to fundamental principles
Ina new country like ours, with a
vast, undeveloped territory, there would
seem to be room, at least. for the in
quiry a. to whether it is being utilized
10 the best advantage. We ought never
TO have "hard times in such country
~ this. But We do have them, with re-
sources sufficient to supply the markets
of the world. May it not be, therefore,
as Senator DAVIS suggests, that some
thing can be done through this channel
that shall not only bring relief and IT,
store prosperity, but remain lasting
and substantial benefit to the country
in the future.
In the speech with which Senator
DAVIS introduced his resolution at the
last session, he said:
Ii is impossible Ia measure, or even
estimate. the importance Of agriculture
70 people. IL is the foundation upon
which civilization ami society rest; the
basis and source of the permanent
wealth Of nation. No people in his
tory have made substantial progress in
civilization, the arts and sciences, and
have remained long prosperous, ii they
neglected agriculture. Ii l. the most
universal Of all arts, the parent Of man
uilcturCs and commerce, and the basis
oi al other industries, and without
which al Others must decay and perish.
Again, by way Of showing the great
proportion of the population Of the Uni
tel Stated engaged in agricultural pur-
suits, and the controlling influence they
exert upon the business OF the country,
he said.
In the United States about half or
twenty millions OF the people are en-
Gagged in agriculture. Ii is the funda-
mental business OF the country, the
leading commercial interest, and the
most important home industry. We are
n nation of farmers, and because OF the
vast area Of our soil and its great fertili-
" We must remain so. Our agrieultur-
al products not only support our people
but paw for what We buy abroad; they
furnish our greatest source Of revenue,
and To them We are indebted for the
balance OF trade now bein; largely in
our favor, and that our bonds and other
Indebtedness held abroad are so rapidly
coming home. Ordinarily upon the re
suits Of our crops hinge our prosperity
for given year or period. Ii the crops
are good, business is good; il short, bus
ineSs is duh.
The crops exert a observation-disclosures
upon the moneyed operations ct the
people at home and abroad. The hank
ers, manufacturers, and merchants, in
fact all classes Of business men, watch
II possible with more interest and con-
Germ. the growth and gathering OF the
crops than the farmer who SONS and
reaps them. Mr.. Jefferson declared
that one-han of our war debt was paid