Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1882-04-10
Farmers and Appropriations.

=" ''o "io"o'ioi VI tne agricultural
appropriation oil several interesting
racts were brought out. 1t appears
that congress has been more liberal
with the agricultural department than
usual. But the sum appropriated is
not so large as to indicate any great
extravaganza in fdver Of the farmers.
The estimates of all the departments
for the next fiscal year amount to $780,
62,5O765. Out Of this sum, the esti.
mate for the department Of agriculture
was $5O2, $3.50, but this sum was cut
down by the agricultural committee to
$396,88O. In view of the small apprc-
priatiOn in aid Of agricultural affairs it
is well to look at the part the farmers
take in building up the resources of
this country. The census has not been
perfected, but sufficient information
has been furnished to indicate the rap
id advance which the farmers Of this
country have been making. The su-
perintendent of the census of 1880
places the value of the farms in the
United States at $lO.196, ,890, ,645; the
value of farm implements at $406, ,516,-
902; live stock, 81 500, ,482, 1877; fertil-
izers purchased in 1879; $28,597 1856;
fences and the cost of building and re-
pairing in 1879, 77,765,72 Here is
capital to the amount of $12. 210,2
BIG invested by the farmers of this
country in their business. 1t is hardly
necessary to call attention to the
amount Of taxes which are annually
paid by the men who represent all this
property. We do not hesitate to say
that this nation receives more good
from the men engaged in agriculture
in this country than from any class of
people. All these benefits come from
the least expense and trouble. AS
general proposition it costs less to col
lect taxes of the farmer. He is not
only willing payer, but his property
IS at all times in sight and subject to
the speedy action of the law. The far.
mers cause less trouble in congress
than any other class Of people. They
are never found in the halls of legisla-
tion attempting to buy legislation. 1t
IS not because they lack the means for
they could by combination support the
most powerful lobby. Because the ag.
riculturists Of the nation do not clamOr
for more recognition they are general
ly put off with the smallest kind of al
lOwance. Now let us see what the
farmers Of this country accomplished
in 1880 with the capital invested. OF
Indian corn they produced 1,717.434,-
543 bushels valued at $679, ia, ,499, of
wheat they produced 498, ,549S68 BUSH
els valued at $474, POI $50. Taking
the grand total of all the principal
grains with potatoes. tobacco, hay and
cotton we have $2,131 ,051. $50 as the
value of their productions as shown
by the census Of 1880. Now, what
became of this immense production?
The total value of the exports of the
United States for the year 1880 was
1898, GAO, 1853; of this amount 1888, ,01O,-
976 came from the products of agricult-
ure. 1t is thus demonstrated that
1890 per cent of all the exports from
this country came directly from the
farmers. In other words, the farm
ers OF this country not only produced
enough to feed 50,000,0OO of our own
people, but had surplus amounting to
nearly 800 for every farmer and farm
laborer in the country. This surplus
was sent abroad, and was the main
item going to pay the indebtedness of
the United States in foreign countries.
Now, a calling that is capable of doing
all these things should have power
ful representation on the agricultural
committee in congress, but as matter