Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-09-15

their articles Of produce, but now they al
receive cash for what they have to sell
we pursue this subject a little further W,
md in prices of farm products not so re
markablc change as the change in thu
prices of some other articles Forexample =
| lslG. 1852.
| Cost Of steel per pound IL n
! Slwplate, per pound 40 n
Nails, per pounds 12E o
broadclotli per yard SIC. 81,
Wooen blankets per pair TO- to $50 So. to $40
| Calico per yard .25 to rs to i,
Salt per bushel ST. tot4 is 10 2,
Nor is this all, for while in 1916 it cost 81
per hundred TO transport goods or produce
| from Philadelphia to New York, and 81
from New York to Burlington, now, thanks
to the extortionate monopolies, they are car
| ried to Philadelphia for thirty cents per hun
dred, and 2j cents 10 Burlington. The aver.
age increase in the price of farm produce
during the last sixty years has been 300 TO
400 per cent, while the average decrease in
the price of manufactured goods for the
same years has been 200 to 400 per cent
Thus have the farmers and laborng men of
the country been ruined by tariffs, railroads
and monopolies."
From the statistics Of values. we are re-
minded of two most important facts First,
That the domestic market is the profitable
one for the producer the nearer you bring
the producer and consumer together, the
greater the economy to each. Whatever Is
sold at home is measurably saved from the
commission house. The middlcman and the
transporter and the consumer, certainly find
an economy in purchasing from first hands.
Second We learn that the wise and sa-
gacious financial policy of this country, by
which American labor has been protected
mud thtc InvninnaI a To, TO-
has steadily and effectively chcapcncd every
thing the farmer buys and by the domestic
demand for his productions, immensely en-
hances everything he has to sell, for com
parison OF our annual production of articles
OF food with our exports, shows that over 80
per cent is consumed at home, and less than
10 p er cent, exported
In 1916 about everything that farmer
bought was foreign manufacture; to-day
everything, except perhaps few uxuries, is
domestic.
The war of 1925 with Great Britain,
found the country in feeble condition to
supply its needs after the war, the financial
policy OF the country was revised and the re-
suits have been most uncxampled growth
in population, development, wealth and
power; history fails to record It's parallel in
the rise and progress of nations and in the
thrift, comfort and contentmcnt of its peo-
Pile. Theorists and pessimists will speculate
aud complain in the future as they have in
the past, but the practical common sense of
the North and West resist an effort to re-
strict or dwarf individual gain or National
progress, and the South is steadily advancing
in support of the American system.
1t is to be hoped that our friends on the
west shore of our lake, will find it to their
interest and pleasure TO cooperate with us in
making this Champlain Valley Association
III It's annual exhibitions one of most attract
i've OF similar institutions.
All have common interest in its success
which we should despair of attaining cx-
ccpt through their earnest and jealous sup
port. The purpose of your organization is
to bring together, and in competition the
best examples of the products of the farm,
the factory, the workshop, mines and quar-
rics, and that such exhibitions will be not less
instructive than profitable, does not admit of
a doubt
1t is not my province to speak to you on
The special objects of the fair that will be
done by gentleman far more capable to do
the subject full justice, and in presenting to
you son of Vermont, one who has been the
recipient of your highest honors, and filled
the Executive office in the critical period of
our Nations history, with exalted patriotism
tuu great aullltY, ana Tor near quarter OF
4 century managed and directed with skill
and sasacity, your great highway of com
nercc, under conditions which but few men
could have overcome, and withal found re-
aXation on the farm-onc Of those progressive
arlncrs whose influence and example is bcne-
icent in any community Il man of wide and |
arge experience and diversity of occupation,
vas invited by both societies, as the best |
quipped man to address YOU.
| have, gentlemen; the honor of present. |
NO, Hon. John q. Smith.
Ex-Governor Smith on coming forward
vas received with loud applause. He spoke
IS follows