Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-21
An Open letter from Mr.. Robert
Beverley.
The P1A1Ss, VA, January II, 1888.

Beverley.
The PLAfSs, Va, January II, 1888.
10 the Hon. ,Iohn w. EIiRcheioc, House
+ Of Dciogdies:
The importance of the passage OF the
agricultural and the railroad bills pre-
sonted 10 your honorable body by the
Farmers Assembly is my apology for
writing you and urging on the Legisla-
ture favorable action. [ have posted my
self thoroughly, as it Is my duty TO do,
on the condition of agriculture in this
State. aud | declare that, while there is
seeming prosperity in the cities, mining
districts, and in railroad affairs, the farm
ers and planters we're never in as de-
pressed condition before since this conn
try was settled, and unless something IS
done speedily for their relief the agricul-
tural districts will be bankrupt. Then the
above-named prosperous yocatiohs viii
feel the pinch.
met in Washington the day after |
parted with You in Richmond two
among the most prominent politicians
and LAWYERS of the State. and they said :
" lltA nave NOI UGH AiOih6 III AfAA -
mond? We never could see how legisla-
ton could bring sunshine or rain, and We
are opposed 10 legislation on the sub
ject" Rather a strange remark for
sensible men. l replied, We farmers,
though considered ignorant, know well
your remark is true. Providence sup
plies that, and TO such degree that there
exists what is called over-productiOn. ="
We are willing To leave that to Him. but
the cost of production and transportation
10 market is where relief can and must
come if our votes can bring it. First, the
extension of the benefits OF the signal
service to agriculture by the Federal
Government by signals, lights, and flags
at every telegraph office would cheaper
production many, many millions.
The reduction Of the tariff would save
millions to the farmers. | don't mean
the reduction on wool and not on wOOllen
manufactures, as IN 1883. The CXtirpa-
ton OF hog-cholera would save one hun
dred millions OF dollars annually to the
agricultural interest. These are few Of
the Federal laws the passage OF which
Won should demand for the benefit Of
agriculture. You should pass instruc
tlons or requests 80 orr congressman to
get an experiment station of sugar from
sorghum rs per resolution enclosed
passed by our Assembly. so much for
Federal legislation. Now for State We
will urge specially the passage by your
honorable bodies Of three bills-to wit,
the bill to enlarge the powers and du-
ties of the Agricultural Department of the
State, with greatly enlarged appropria-
tons second, bill for the equalization
of taxation to make it bear evenly on all
classes and occupations, and not specially
on the farmers, and when | say farmers
] mean all who dig III the ground
for living; and third. espe-
cially o railroad or State commerce
law to relieve the farmers from the eX-
tortionate charges OF railroads. First,
the agricultural bill. We require it to
protect Us against fraud in fertilizers,
from which We have suffered greatly 10
protect us from the eXtortiOn in manu-
facturc of worthless agricultural nipple
ments 10 discover the causes and rene
dies for hog-cholera and It's extirpation,
which the state can do rs well as the
United States in view of the fact that the
animal is not as much an article of
traffic between the States as cattle ; and,
hstly, in disseminating useful know
ledge by farmers Institutes conducted
hv practical men. The second bill, the
equalization of taxation, is SO necessary
and the grinding effects OF the present
law 50 palpable it is scarcely necessary
for me to say word. Suffice II to say
that the farmer Is taxed on his land at a
high valuation. mortgage on the same
land is taxed, and frequently 1t Is mort
gagged for all it is worth. The horses,
oxen, aud implements with which he
works his land are taxed, and any income
he may have in excess OF 81 600 is taxed.
Isthcrc any other interest, profession, or
occupation taxed SO heavily? And
third and lastly, the railroad bill, for
they tax the farmer higher than all other
taxation, even to imposing freights some
times prOhibitory to the production OF
products. As Jay Gould said, "their rule
was to levy all the traffic would bear,
in order to pay large dividends on
watered stock, charging certain Onion
Pacific railroads up with $9S,0OO,0OO
paid.up stock, when, in fact, only
s2.OO0,00O had been paid. See Patti
sons report on the Union Pacific rail
roads. When, | ask the members of
the Virginia Legislature, is this horrible
extortion to be stopped-when ? But !
have written long enough. | must, in
the name of the farmers OF the state, ask
that the Legislature of Virginia pass
these bills N this session or let us know
the reason why We ask nothing I'M
reasonable. We pay three fourths Of
the taxes into the Treasury. We are IN
a desperate condition, and while We are
acknowledged to be the conservative ele-
ment of the State, We cannot longer
stand this oppression, and We ask relief
at your hands. Yours truly,
, -