The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1888-08-03

Notwithstanding the fact that farmers are all
busy haying, there was quite fair turnout
Monday to listen to Hon. S. J. Conkling on the
grievances which are affecting farmers as a
class and the remedies therefor. Mr.. Conklin
spoke for two hours, in forcible and earnest
manner, at times becoming truly eloquent He
denounced In terse aud vigorous language the
various trusts and combines that have been
formed to extort from the farmer the utmost
tribute his produce will Yield and yet allow
him sufficient means Of subsistence to produce
another crop. He asserted that the difference
between what the farmers Of Cass county had
actually received for their wheat and the price
to which they would have been Justly entitled
under system of fair dealing, amounted to
the enormous sum Of 81, 7OO,O 600. BE cited the
fact that New York, Massachusetts and other
states had passed laws for the punishment of
those who formed combinations for the pur-
pose Of controlling prices, and admonshed
the farmers of Dakota that the remedy for the
evils which afflicted them lay in their own
hands. The farmers Of the territory constitute
eight-tenths OF the population, and ii they will
use the political power with which they are
invested in electing to the legislature only such
lnen as will pledge themselves to vote for such
legislation as the farmers demand, they can
correct the existing abuses. He warned them
that combination had already been formed
by the money lenders, railroads and others for
the purpose of controlling majority of the
members Of the council. In conclusion Mr..
Conklin paid glowing tribute to the women
of the country, and hoped the day was not far
distant when they would be clothed with all
the rights Of citizenship. The address was
we'll received aud frequently applauded.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Conklin's address
Mr.. Lampman, Of Barnes county, was called
upon and responded briefly. He exhibited to
the audience set Of tables which he had been
led to prepare by his Investigations into the
wheat question. These tables show the price
OF wheat on the Same day at Glasgow, Lon
don or Liverpool and Valley City, the en-
tire cost OF carriage, including insurance, from
Valley City to the foreign port. Taking tho
table for 1854, 1t was shown that when the
price Of No. hard wheat at Valley City was
40 cents, the price in Glasgow was $1.15, the
cost Of transportation was 81 cents, leaving a
margin of 81 cents which went to swell the
profits Of the middlemen. The table for 1887
exhibited no less astonishing result. At the
commencement Of the season there was dif-
ference Of cents per bushel between No.
Duluth aud English soft wheat in the Glasgow
market in favor of the Duluth wheat. As the
season advanced this difference changed until
there was a difference of cents 1--WE quote
from memory In favor Of the English wheat
over the No. Duluth. This result was brought
about by the mixing process at Duluth, Buffalo
and New York. As the price throughout the
Northwest is based upon the price in foreign
markets, 1t is easy to see how Dakota farmers
have been robbed by the wheat manipulators.
1t was pity that Mr.. Lampman did not have
more time in which to enter into and explain
this subject. 1t is to be hoped that Mr.. Lamp
man will publish his tables so that all may
have the benefit of studying them. Mr.. Lamp
man explained that the only remedy was for
the farmers to build and control their own ele-
vators and warehouses. At the conclusion of
bis remarks vote of thanks was rendered Mr..
Lampman.