The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-01-24
THE BASIS OF BETTER TIMES.
The Increase In the Farming Population
q the Country,

The Increase In the Farming Population
u the Country.
One Of the signs Of the times pointing to
a successful future for the country IS the
marked increase in the farming population
that has been going on for some time past.
The Eastern and Middle States have been
steadily relieving themselves Of their sur
plus population, which had become very
large, owing to the serious decline in all
manufacturing and many mercantile in.
terests. To the prairies Of the great west
these thousands Of people naturally
turned, and thus that section Of the coun.
try has been steadily gaining in popula.
ton, and in riches, the growth Of agricul-
ture being almost unprecedented. And
not only has the west added to its popula.
ton thousands Of industrious and intelli-
gent Americans, but the Aattering Undue e.
ments held out, such as fertile soil, cheap
lands, and good market, have been ap-
preciated SO fully by foreigners that the
immigration from the old world has re-
ceived q new impetus, which is likely to
be continuous, as the industries Of Great
Britain, Germany, and other European
countries are just now in very badly de-
moralized condition.
The west is greatly indebted to It's new
settlers for Its present bountiful grain
crops, which have been poured with such
lavishneSS into western elevators; and
the big supplies OF the cereals, hogs, cat
Ito, and produce. The western railroads,
too, have reapod substantial benefits from
the tide OF travel, the liberal movement Of
freight, and the sale Of lands 10 actual set.
tiers, the rush for choice land having been
beyond all expectation Of the most san
guine. The federal government has all o
been doing q thriving business In the way
Of selling land, and for the year ended
June 80, 1878, the government sold 1884,
900 acres, against $685., 900 for the cores
ponding period in the years 1887. In the
single State OF Minnesota the total sales OF
land reported reached $2,34S,OOO acres.
Eastern capitalists appreciate the import
anoe and significance Of the increased bus.
mess OF our railroads, and as o New York
exchange remarks: .
"The western roads are fast taking rank
among investors with the oldest and most
thriving roads In the'stateS. Roads which
formerly ran through miles Of wilderness
are fast being lined with waving crops and
happy homes. The new settlers, beside
paying the companies tor their lands, are
furnishing an increased business TO the
lines. Every state in the west and south
west has proflted by the new hegira.
Wherever lands adapted for cereals could
be found bordering a railroad or navieable
river, there came the spectators, or pros
peptors, or bona tide emigrants ready to
buy. Happily, this time, its the genuine
emigrant, and not tho middleman who is
purchasing the farming country OF the
west. These bountiful crops have been,
next to peace, the chief Of our national
blessings. They have made food plenty
and cheap at home. They have contribut-
cd to that grand excess Of exports over
imports which is the delight Of American
economists at this time. They have
impaired a measure OF life to rail-
roads and manufactures and to
many tradesan ealllngs which would have
languished and died but for the healthiul
stimulant OF the crops. And while every
body else has been benefited by the gold
en- grain, the farmers themselves have had
profitable season. Prices have been low,
but so have wages and supplies, as a rule.
Taking everything into consideration, we
may say that the farmers have laid up
more money than any other class Of peo-
pie in 1878. Under auspices as favorable
us these, We may reasonably expect that
the farming population will continue to
increase at q great rate for q while longer"
Dun's recent commercial circular esti-
mates the new lands settled in 1873 at
e, 900, 900 acres, and the occupants there.
OF arc not less than 100000 families,
equal 10 9 million souls. These per.
sons are largely Americans, though many
foreigners are among the number. The ar
rivals OF foreigners at New York for '7Swere
81 sos against O., 2S2 for 1877. From these
figures the New York Journal Of Commerce
ihters that immigration has taken an up
ward turn, coincidently with the deepen
ing business distresses OF England and
most Of Europe. The Journal adds: "As
things hopome worse there, and better
here, as they seem now likely 10 do, the
human tide hitherward will gain In vol.
ume. This is one Ct the phenomena now
rich with promise for our future. For the
present, we are concerned only 10 note
the extraordinary change taking place In
the industrial habits Of tho American PEG.
pie. We are becoming more and more q
nation Of farmers. The growing dispose
ton to till the land rs q means Of liveli
hood has corrective tendency within
ltsalf. It will not probably DO over
done. But 1t will restore the lost equili
brium among the varied industries Of THU
country. Il will give work and supper
10 every self.helptng, pushing, frugal man
who finds the competition TOO Keen ant
the wages not living in tho old States ant
the crowded haur Is"