New-York tribune., 1884-03-22
PROTECTION AND THE CENSUS

THE TRIBUNE recently gave u practicdl uem-
onstration of the principle that agriculture
thrives in proportion to the increase and de-
velopment of other Industries. This was in
the form of table showing that where agricul-
ture Is almost the only industry land Is cheap
est, the farmers profits are smallest, and the
farm laborer's wages are lowest AS the proper
ton of farming population diminishes from II
to SO, AZ and 8 per cent, there is a correspond
ing rise in the values of land, farm produce,
and wages. The inference from this table was
that the development of home industries under
Protection exercises a favorable influence upon
agriculture.
This table has been widely copied by the
American press as q striking proof OF tha IN
direct benefits which the farming population
derive from the present economic system. One
journal, however, has had the temerity to look
the figures in the face and challenge their ac-
curacy. The Ne,o- Haven Register accuses us OF
putting wool in the farmers eyes, and Of pub
fishing tabulated lies for the sake of building
up the faith of the agricultural classes In Pro-
tecton Ii seeks to substantiate this charge by
proving in various ways that the statistical state
ments cannot be true, but are only Protection
ist figures" ignorantly quoted and dishonesty
used. The various stages of its argument need
not be noticed, since the main issue is one OF
fact Are the figures tabulated lies If they
are The Register ought to let the public know
who are the original liars. The TRIBUNE made
up the table from the reports of Mr.. j. IL.
Dodge, Statistician of the Department or
Agriculture He obtained the figures, how
ever at second hand. The first and third vol
umes of the Census Of 1880 contain the exhlb-
its of population and values of faIms, produce
and wages, from which the Statistician's infor-
nation was derived. The Register is attempting
to prove by neat sums in mental arithmetic
and by bucolc "reminiscences OF the Litchheld
and Berkshire hills that the facts collected by
the census-takers are incredible and menda-
cious. What dishonest and deceitful country
this must be when it is impossible to have the
Census made up without the employment of
thousands Of PrOtecticnist spies and hirelings
whose sole purpose is to put wool in the farm
ers' eyes What an immense power Is pig iron
in this land Even the Census is its own
thunderbOltl
The Register as a final evidence ofTHEsrRIB-
UNE's dishonesty, considers it necessary to call
attention to the fact that IL the figures in ques-
ton are to be interpreted by its method there Is
every reason in tho world why the Western
farmers should migrate eastward, for as they
come in this direction their incomes increase
rapidly. 1t will be surprised to learn that the
four groups of States and Territories formed
by Mr. Dodge not arranged, as it supposes.
on East and West lines, and that the two States
where the farmers income derived from the
sale of agricultural produce is the largest are
California and Nevada. 1t is not necessary,
therefore, to substitute @Go to the poorhOuse
and be done with it p for Mr.. GreeleY's go
West, young manW