The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1884-09-05
FARMERS READ.

Republicans tell us that protection
lelps the farmer. Now when wheat
ias gone down to fifty cents per hushol
md oats TO twenty cents per bushel, II
Is very good time for farmers to ait
down aud inquire how projection helps
them. To assist them in solving this
problem we submit few extracts from
the great speech of congressman Hurd,
delivered in congress last A5ril:
After the countries named had i'm
posed high duties on our products there
was little left of our foreign market
except what England and tho froe cities
of Germany afforded. And England,
because the American tariff prevents
the importation Of English goods, has
sought TO find her food supplies else
where. Under the impulse of this ne.
cessity the most amazing fact of modern
times has bsen developed. India, old
and effete, from whose territory very
little expectation had hitherto been
made, is becoming to Great Britain the
source of her grain supply. Under the
influence OF the policy Of the Marquis
of Ripon, who went out as governor
general about four yeatH ago to that
country, the Indian Government was
induced to abrcgate its protective tariff,
and the vast markets Of 220, 900, 900 Of
people werc opened to the operations of
the principle of free trade. Instantly
the attention of England was directed
to the agricultural development Of that
country.
This policy has been carried out, and
under Ripon's administration as have
said, India has adopted commercial
freedom. Immediately Great Britain
commenced the development Of IndiA'a
agricultural production. Large extents
of territory were made cultivableth through
the adoption OF systems Of irrigation.
Railroads were commenced, and the
work Of construction was vigorously
pushed. The interior was thus opened
to the coast, so that the products of the
soil could be cheaply loaded in the ves-
sells. Then the most suitable seeds
were distributed among tho people.
Cheap agricultural machinery was af-
forded them. Under this impulse, wheat
production was so stimulated that last
year thsre was a production in India Of
more than 800, 900, 900 bushels, of which
large portion was a surplus above do
mestic consumption. OF this 10000
900 of bushels have been exported,
while FIVE years ago there was scarcely
cargo Of grain sent from the shores Of
that country. Ia the frat three months
OF this year this expectation has largely
increased over the same period Of last
year, indicating for this year an cxpor-
tatioR Of nearly 100000 bushels.
What has been the effect of this in-
creased production in Iadia upon our
markets Ia the last nine months there
has been decline in the expectation of
American cereals OF gil 100000 in
value, and wheat has gone down in
Chicago to less than so cents bushel,
the lowest pFise that has ever been
known in that market. It is notable,
Mr.. Chairman, that just as the expor-
tation of wheat has increased from India
the expectation has diminished from the
United States. This development Of
wheat production in India Ia the natur-
al and inevitable result of the protec-
tive tariff ia America. which puts high
duties on foreign goods. England re-
fuses to buy of the farmers of America,
who viii not take her goods in exchange,
and seeks her food supply from those
countries who will take her productions,
and thus from the farmers of America
is passing away the last vestige OF. q
foreign market.
/ say to the farmer of America that
the prospect for him is by no means
encouraging. With elevstors, granaries
and warehouses all filed to overAowing,
with the old crop still unsold, with the
vast fields Of the great West greening
to the coming barvests, with crops un.
excelled 10 India, almost ready for the
market, with splendid promise among
all the wheat-growing nations OF the
earth, and with the price of wheat less
than 80 certs at Chicago, predict that
before January next the price of wheat
will be 80 low that it will not psy tho
cost of production, and the corn raised
on the Western prairies will be burned
again for fuel az was the case years ago.
When that time arrives the farmers will
be beggars in the midst Of their own
plenty and paupers by the sido of their
own golden gathered sheavee. APP
plause. There is absolutely DO relief
to the American farmer, except in max
ing foreign markets for him. Talk
about the home market which American
manufacturers make for him Already
their demand for agricultural products
ia diminishing already they are COM
planning of overproduction everywhere.
1t is not in their power 10 consume
what the farmers of this country can
produce. There are, Mr.. Chairman, but
two ways in which the farmer can find
relief One is for the proper authori-
ties to make reciprocity treaties by
which the markets of other natioos will
be open to the products of this country,
and the other is for Congress to reduce
the expense of living b. cutting down
the tariff rates. The fal merg sell In the
lowest market and buy in the highest.
They cannot cheaper any further the
cost of production, but they can reduce
the tariff, cheapon the cost of living, and
thus save $45, 100000 annually.
Cur manufacturers have not markets
large enough they have surrendered
the markets of the world to England.
Last year England sold abroad one