Omaha daily bee., 1884-11-18
The Danger of Debt.

Kansas City Journal.
The west has. In its march Of progress,
as marvellous as it has been, had to con-
tend against debt. All classes of indus
try have been clogged by the disposition
to borrow more than has been prudent,
and especially has this been true of the
farmers. They have been too much In
clined to buy more than they should on
time, and discount their growing crops.
The effect has been, and 1T is felt just
now when farm products are low,
that though the money received for
them will purchase rs much, and per-
haps more, of every kind Of supplies
needed in the house or on the
farm, as the same amount Of crops a few
years ago sold at higher rates, yet the
farmer with debts to pay is not relieved
of his hardships, for his debts have not
diminished, but have increased with &C.
cumulated interest.
To avoid the effect of hard times, a
farmer must keep out of debt. The great
misfortune of the average farmer to-day
comes from long standing debts, with &C.
cumulated interest, and the present low
prices for farm products that renders
liquidation a slow process At best, if it do
not prove ruinous in the end.
1t may BIO contended that we are med
ding in what does not concern us in
speaking of the danger of debt to the
farmer, and especially by those in debt.
1t may be regarded as unkind to invite
attention to the prevalence of debt among
farmers, but we do refer to it to enjoin
caution. We would say to all farmers to
be cautious about contracting debts, and
when once relieved of debt to be ex
tremely cautious about entering into
bondage again.
We know there are many inducements
for the farmer to get into debt. Mer-
chants invite him to extend his credit.
for they know while he may be slow In
paying, he is generally very sure. Loan
agents and others are willing to advance
| him money, for they know, as Gov.
| Grover Cleveland said to the farmers at
Elmira, N. Y, that the soil does not
| shift from place to place, and the farm
is sure to remain where it can be realized
on if the money loaned is not forthcom'
Ing at the proper time. All these tempta'
| tions and invitations to accept credit
should be avoided as much as possible by
the farmers.
We know shat the FARMERS will find il
hard to resit, and that the manner OF
farming In this country makes it almost
necessary to borrow while the crops are
growing, to furnish the needs of this
farm and freside. But this excuse fol-
| going in debt, In a great measure, car
be overcome; overcome by tanning diff
~ferently, and by raising a diversity o.
products.
The thrifty and industrious farmer
should alw avs have something to sci
when he is in need Of money. Our farm
ers take to one crop, corn or wheat,
too much, The sale o.
these staple crops should DO supple
msnted by sales of tho products OF tht
poultry yard, the dairy, from the stable
in the way of horses, from the orchard,
the hog. pen, and from other sources o.
supply that can be multiplied by industry
and common business sense on a farm.
Such a course would relieve many
farmer &C debt, or at any rate keep man!
a on, out of debt who now thinks Of Dor
%rowiug is the only way to keep soul an'
body together while waiting for an al
vance "a the prices Of L or Tvs products
loaly, which he has for sale.