The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-19

z D6 charged more per oarrcls Per DoK or
per pound than his richer competitor is
made 10 pay, for public service. What
would be thought of proposition by
I the government to charge the man who
sent only a letter day or week, twice
as much as it charges the man who sends
dozen or a hundred Yet this Just
amendment only received four votes in
the SeBate-Nanee's VanWyck's, Vests
and nv own. 1t is certain that In the
lifetime of the present generation,
discriminating charge against the small
shipper, viii every where and univer-
sally, be regarded as unjust extortion.
Fourth, ] would also have said some
thing on determinations generally, in
railroad transportation and
Unjust AND ExToRTIoSATE CHARGES
and would have noted the great wrong
done not only to the farmers, but to all
the people of this State, by excessive local
rates, as compared with through rates,
whereby our farmers are made to suffer
on all they ship and all they buy, and
our manufacturers are crushed out by
the more fayoring rates given to man
ufacturers in other States; and our cities
are prevented from attaining the growth
and aceumulating tbs capital due to the
rich country in which they are situated
Whilst l would have pointed out
these wrongs, would aisp have felt it
my duty to warn against hasty and
passionate legislatiOn-the taking from
the railroad companies the management
OF their own business, or otherwise so.
crippling them as to destroy the value
of the capital invested in them Our
effort should be to secure justice for our
own people, not to wage war for passion
or revenge-to crush out injustice and
wrong, not to crush OF impair that spirit
of enterprise and progress necessary to
the development of the State, and the
furnishing proper facilities of transpor-
tation to all parts of it.
Fifth, would, in addition to politi-
cal topics in which the State is interest
ed, have said something concerning the
METHODS WHICH FARMERS ARE PURsU-
ING;
also as TO some methods which in my
judgment they should pursue. For
whilst it is true that they suffer from the
action of government, and by the aggres-
sions of more favored interests, as l have
| indicated, it is also true that some of
the evils under which they suffer are
traceable to their own fault or neglect.
| What comes from bad action of the
government, will be difficult to correct,
since reform in this direction will be
met and opposed by antagonistic inter
ests. Farmers are scattered all over the
country. They are too numerous to COM
| hfnn Tbaxr sand 1Ohb,-set, -
| gress to enforce attention to their wishes.
They have no reliance other than on the
| justice of their cause, and the fidelity of
their Representatives and Senators. On
the other hand, the protected and favor
ed interests are more fortunate. They
are represented by few men of great
wealth, who have used the great power
of association, directed by a persistent,
intelligent and selfish pursuit of their
own ends. And the result so far has
been a victory to the best organized and
most efficient association. That the vic
tory will not always remain with that
side feel assured, but to wrest it from
them will be a task of difficulty, and /
fear, accompanied by much delay. This
is no reason for giving up the struggle,
but rather for more vigorous and per
sistent contest. 1t is reason. however,
why farmers should resort with more
vigor to other remedies within their
reach In the South, and especially in
Mississippi, we have devoted ourselves
exclusively to the raising of a single
grea: crop, to the neglect of
4 MORE DIVERSIFIED HUsBANDR4.
In so doing we have become hs.a-..ants
of our great staple by over-production,
and have increased the price of neces-
saries by our failure to raise them. The
result he's been, mortgaged homes and
farms and an ever-increasing tendency
to go from bad to worse. There is little
necessary for our subsistence and our
comfort which cannot be economically
, produced here. In this there has been
disastrous neglect, we preferring to buy
from others-buying, too, at the enor-
nous disadvantage of credit prices. How
great is this loss is seen by statement
: made to me by merchant in this city,
that he was selling meal at 1925 per
bbl., cash; the credit price being
1925. This seems to be ruinous both
| to the merchant and the farmer, for
, this gentleman stated to me, that he
preferred selling for c'sh at the price
, named, than on credit at the price fixed
for that.
Sixth, In connection with diversified
| crops, there is much also to be said OIL
(; the subject of
RURAL WORK FOR woatEN.
D Under the hard law pronounced OIL
!, the fall of Adam, sin the sweat of thy
g face thou shalt eat bread" it is tn,
] fate of the great majority of the human
e race to be compelled, in some way, anC
n by some sort of manual labor, to earl
!, subsistence. This condition is equal,
:, the lot of both sexes. The happy era
i in which, with light taxes, fresh land
and great crops grown with ease from
d virgin and unexhausted soil, comfor
r and independence were won in the home
is of farmers, by the labor of the husband
is father, sons and brothers, with no othe
d aid from the other sex than attention
t, to household duties, has passed, fea
it forever. A stern necessity, unavoidabl
e in many households, has demanded AM
st will continue to demand, exertions o
2, the part of the females, as part of th
d contribution to the comfort and.suppoI
of the family This exertion, so far a
: country life is concerned, it is ofte
S, necessary. should take a direction III
t. suited to their strength, and repulsiv'
II 1t is not impossible that this may be
at a large degree remeaied. Bee and sl
at culture, orchards, gardening, vineyard
le and other work of like light characte
5, seem to furnish some remedy for tn
ii evil.
e. Seventh, There has been failure
as take advantage Of the Improvements
a agricultural methods and in farmiT
rs implements.
ty Eighth, / would have urged a refor
er in all these things-Dot sudden, ar
it, revolutionary, but conservative; wit
be proper time to change from the old
re the new, without friction and witho
IL conyulsion. l would have urged {
'o- attempt to secure better laws, less bu
ey densome governmental action, fair
.ir service in public instrnmentalities; b
ed whether successful in this or not,
Nv would have advised that farmers shou
ed make that reform, which is in the pow
n of each for himself, viz:
IL A BETTER sY.TBM OF oULTUEE,
more 1cIElALlnEs AOic oAatha6C1 AAu
:; ditching to prevent washes, more grai
ID more fruits. more home supplies, me
IN, and better live stock, more self-deni
cal more energy, more study Of the soil a
eat the forces of nature, less credit and
es' debt With these, success Is certa
sas even in spite Of adverse gOyernmen
action.
led These are some Of the topics on viii
intended to address your meeting, il
rs had been privileged TO attend IT. !
see how broad the field is-how mu
food there is for reflection and inte
the gent discussion BY farmers Nor d
-ge- assume to myself any extraordin:
of prerogatiye in discussIng these IA
on topics. | would not have spoken
ave eafhe1ra, as one having superior kns
nd ledge. but as one of You, endeaFor
Bill to contribute my mite 70 the conn
FEC. gOod-wiIIing TO communicate fr
BY my limited sores Of knowledge,
lsar1 r..r.rf vrfElsnw tn learn from others.