Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-06-06
Georgia Crop Outlook Commissioner
HendersOn's Second Quarterly Re-

we find that while there is much TO
crafty and encourage the hope Of con-
tinued advancement in Georgia agricul-
ture. there is also suggested fsulti-
ness in our system of management which
should challenge the most serious con-
sideration If the farmers of Georgia
have so long persisted in the
ruinous policy of call cot
ton" suggested in the report,
contrary TO the advice of our successive
State Commissioners; contrary to the
teachings of the State Agricultural So
ciety and the Oranges; contrary to the
monthly. weekly and daily beseechings
Of the press, and contrary to the convic-
tons of their own experience and inter
ests-what now can be said to induce
the abandonment of the dangerous
policy? They think they cannot help
it, and deserve our sympathy
rather than our censure. They see
and feel that they are preyed
upon by all the trades, corporations and
powers. Having no money or credit,
and no way to acquire them save by the
desperate attempt to make another crop
OF cotton, they again submit, with fear
and trembling, to the terms of those who
propose to aid them in that forlorn hope.
From year to year this has been going
on, the towns, cities, railroads and
powers growing fat. and the farmers
sinking deeper and deeper into the bog
of debt, poverty and ruin:
The farmer is fully conscious of his
situation, struggles desperately to change
the tide of fortune, often wildly strain
ing his credit for fertilizers analysed by
his State authorities, and sinks the little
remaining to him in lone more" effort
to regain his losses. He hears of accu-
INFLATED millions of idle capital all over
the country, of the consolidation of great
railroads burdened with capital; notes
the dividends of factories springing out
of his industry; gazes in wonder at the
his scant earnings; and is amazed to
find himself completely at the mercy of
an army of heartless spectators, pletho-
ric with money, enjoying the favor of
the laws and exempt alike from the bur
den of taxation and the commonest in
dustries of the land.
In his view every trade fourishes save
the farm-every enterprise legislated
upon, fostered, pampere1, save his own.
He sees millions sunk upon useless mon
uments, play houses and pleasure
grounds, and millions more squandered
or stolen by useless officials. He sees
all this aud more, and is told that it is
all legitimate, consistent with Christian
civilization and necessary to the dignity,
grandeur and glory of the Empire,
State, county, city and town.
That his remedy is industry and
economy" emigration and cheap
labor''-of which, the first two, he has
practiced all his life, and the last, neither
his own efforts nor the combined powers
of the best intellects Of his State have
been able to accomplish in trial and
experiment of ten years. What is the
use talking about economy and indus
try, or even diversity and intensity, with
no money in hand to meet the impend-
ing mortgage, and no provisions ahead
to bear up the effort at diversity? He is
under the wheel of misfortune, and his
necessity is not far away to be RENE
died by emigration and future labor,
but at his very door demanding usurious
interest upon an iron bound" contract.
His present great need is money, cheap
money, that will enable him to heed the
multitude of counselors," and to begin
the recruiting of his fortune by the i'm
proved methods of the day. He does
not plant "all cotton" from choice, but
from actual necessity. Make it possible
for him to obtain cheap money and he
Will gladly diversity his crops. Take
those IDLE millions out into the country,
let it out at reasonable interest, and adj
NIT that the borrower is as honest and
trustworthy as the lender, and few mort
cages will haye to be foreclosed by pro-
cess of law. High interest breeds dis
trust, and dishonesty, poverty and turbu-
lence are the brood of extOrtion. Human
nature cannot be changed in this life, but
it may be controlled and its good or evil
parts drawn out. according to the infu
ences brought to bear Here, then, is
| boundless field for those noble millionaire
patriots who so love their country
that they buy fabulous piles Of its gold
bearing bonds; for those railroad kings,
whose patriotic enterprise lay vast re-
gions under tribute to their potent syn
dictates; for those patriotic office-holders
who go in poor and come out fat upon
the spoils of the country; and, lastly,
for that large class OF well-to-do trades
men of all kinds, who feel genuine in
terest in the success of the farmer, be-
cause they stand nearer to him and are
more Immediately dependent upon him
for the growth of their rising fortunes.
If it is desirable that he should plant
less cotton, make it possible for him to
do so without the narrowing fear of
foreclosed mortgage and destitute, suf-
fering family. If he was honest once he
is honest still, and if he could be trusted
in his days of prosperity he may be
trusted in his days of adversely, for it is
not the lending of money to men that
ruins them, but the all devouring interest
on that money.
Thus far we have spoken in behalf of
the farmer-in mitigation of the seeming
unpardOnablefolly of which he is shown
by this report to be guilty-and we must
now be permitted to offer a few sugges-
tions to the farmer himself, which we
could not presume to do but for our
sympathy with and deep interest in his
/ orI c1aaocc