The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1883-01-06

and encouragement. The future of the
American farmer depends upon the ulti-
mate triumph of the Grange.
THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF OUR
FARMERS.
In travelling over the State during the
last six years l have taken great interest
in studying the condition of our farmers.
| have visited their homes in nearly every
neighborhood, have talked with them
about their methods of farming, their
profits and their prospects, and do now
unhesitatingly declare that there is no gen.
eral prosperity among them. There GER
tainly are reasons for this. One is they
are making cotton the leading crop, and
the history of all countries show that ad
versity follows agricultural operations
which are directed chiefly to the produc
ton of one crop. Necessity seemed to
force this plan upon our farmers just after
the war, but the time has now arrived
when we must substitute higher grade,
more rational system or be forced to the
wall. We can raise an almost endless
variety of crops, and all kinds of stock.
| The few prosperous farmers in our State
are those who raise their living at home,
| and make cotton surplus crop. We
must substitute brain and machinery for
''main strength and awkwardness," aRd
| not depend entirely on Sambo, cotton and
fault finding to restore our wasted for
! tunes.
1t is evident that the present depressed
condition of agriculture in this State is
not due entirely to the methods pursued,
but in great measure is attributable to un-
| friendly legislation. 1t is an undeniable
fact that the prosperity of a country de-
/ l. lohA ay1J ,rr
classes. If our chief State officers ard
Legislators would recognize this fact and
bestow but a tithe-o the time to the pro-
] motion of their interests that they.give to
iparty and monied corporations. the cry of
hard times would soon be banished from
among us, and contentment and prosper
| ity would substitute the place of poverty
and discomfort. The last meeting of the
/ National Grange reiterated and enpha
| sized its policy of the last few years. The
reports of the various committees showed
the present condition of agriculture, what
/ hinderances it encounters and what policy
farmers should pursue for the betterment
OF their condition and place their calling
upon an equal footing with other indus
tries of the land.
The Committee on Agriculture, after
rehearsing the burdens placed upon farm
ers and showing that they must organize
in order to restore equality, concluded
their report as follows:
Attainment can only be had through
wise legislative action, and that must come
directly from our efforts, as IT surely will
when we exercise the power we possess
Let us hasten to the work, and that the
manner of preparation may be freed iron
, all doubt the following resolutions ar
submitted:
5 "Resolved, That in the exercise of th
: elective franchise we shall recognize ale
glance to principles as the only safe rui
sf action.
Resolved, That we repudiate all lead
ership in politics, except that which tend
!, to the advancement of the material inter
: ests of all our people through the exercis
S of the virtues that dignity and ennobl
citizenship.
RESOLVED, That safe protection for ou
industry against organized extortion I'M
/ plies suitable and in some degree proper
e tionablc representation in State and Ma
: tional Legislatures"
I The idea clearly enunciated by tn
t above resolutions is that the farmers onl
:, hope of relief and reform is in taking
non partisan stand and in refusing to ODE
e the dictates of any. party which does nc
fairly and explicitly pledge restoration
S equality and justice. And the recent II
: dependent demonstrations made all owe
t the land should cause party leaders to ca
y a halt. For it tells them in plain wore
that the people are determined that tn
e country shall not always be at the merc
0 of grasping monopolies-that the peoP
n have rights as well as corporations.
! TRANsPoRTATIoN
IS is a subject of great Importance at tn
O tirne. Directed by vast corporations,wl
no power to balance or regulate their ol
t, erations they fix their tariffs, amass fab
IS lous fortunes and extort from the peop
,r at large millions of money and deprive Il
1t farming classes especially. of that proht
d their industries which just and equltah
ID state of affairs would not permit. Ina
l. ton in these matters is fatal. 1t inyolv
n death to all that is pleasant and agreeao
e. free and honorable. The discrimination
m exactions and assumptions of railway &C
le porations>feave no room to doubt tn
to neither pity nor Justice have any weig
lie with them, and that they will ruin Il
" Government, or rule it to their ends. Su
of selfishness, such grasping OF power
ne c. rpoi ations of men are new features
at menace to free institutions. Republcs
D. old fell PROSTATE at the feet of one tyra
al | We of this day battle with hydra head
an mon ter, whose hands are called N
en- nopoly.
e. How irnpotent seem the masses beff
ed this power, and yet it is the weakness OF
by of ignorance and inaction. Like spli
At ed span of horses held in check and guid
ge by rein and voice, they have but to t
nd their power to find it out. There are
re- evils in this country that can not be
to dressed, not in a day or an hour but
di- time. Railroad methods must be broul
we to light There must be some COVE
rly mental supervision, and competition
as couraged which would result from the
in pYovement of ourswater channels.
,b- The State Grange for years has D
No urging upon the attention OF our 81
lcy Legislature the necessity OF action IN
the matter of transportation At our
nd meeting a resolution was adopted una
inv mously by a rising vote asking the rel
al OF what is known as the Lien Law.
ers asking for a v aluation Law But
an law makers seemed more inclined
srs' favor monied monopolies than to loo
YER the greatest interests OF the masses
the the only recourse left us is to examine
Of records Of the last Legislature, and IN
Get next election turn deaf ear 70 the N
laH dates Of paFtY, and cast asiF Eofss age