St. Paul daily globe., 1889-10-10
WHAT THE TARIFF DOES.

The GLOBE is in receipt of private
letter from one of the leading farmers
and dairymen of this state, who says:
''Your editorial in the GLOBE of the
eth inst. under the head of "A Tariff
Argument ought TO be printed in letters
of gold" Our readers will recall the
article referred to as the one in which
we discussed the condition Of the New
England farmers, to which they have
been reduced by the protective system,
and in which we asserted that the
StTaitened circumstances Of the New
England farmers were only an aggra-
waited form of the same affliction that
has befallen the entire agricultural in
terestS of the country. we regret that
the restriction of privacy laid upon US
prevents the publication of the letter
received from this prominent Minnesota
farmer, for it relates series of eXpe-
riences which fully confirm every word
that we previously stated, and the name
of the writer wOuld be the fullest guar
antee Of their truthfulnesS. Notwith-
standing the restriction placed upon US,
we feel justified in extracting some
facts detailed in the letter as forcible
Illustration of the point we formerly
made, that the protective system is
crushing out the life of agriculture in
the West just as it has done in the New
England states; and that it is only a
question of time, if the protective
policy is adhered to, when tie Western
farmers will be compelled to do pre-
cisely what the New England farmers
are doing to-day-abandon their lands
as the Only avenue of escape from hope
less and irretrievable bankruptcy. Our
correspondent cites the experience Of a
well-to do farmer in his own locality.
This gentleman came to Minnesota
thirty-three years ago and located on
farm in one of the most fertile sections
of the state. He has Increased his pos
sessions until he now owns 1000
acres, thoroughly improved, with
over $4,000 worth of buildings on it.
He has the best herd of dairy stock in
the state, thOroughbredS and grades,
a fine stable of horses, mares and colts,
and flock of sheep. 1t is, i'll fact,
model farm and model herd, the
result of thirty-three years of hard
work and close application to business.
There is no mortgage on the farm, and
everything is clear of incumbrance.
Prior to and during the war, and few
years afterwards, when times were
flush, this model Minnesota farmer ac-
cumulated surplus each year. But
when the blight of the protective tariff
system extended to the West, the sur
plus began to go. The farmer worked
as industriOusly and econOmized as
much as ever, but, in spite of his in
duStry and his economy, it came to pass
in time that his Outgo was more than
his income. As the cost of manufact-
ured materials increased the price of
farm products declined, until to-day,
with that farm plant worth $4,000,
operated with the strictest economy and
with the closest application to business,
our farmer friend finds that the outgO
is about $500 a year more than the in
come. If that is the experience of a
model farmer with his model farm, free
from all incumbrance, what must be the
experiences of those who are operating
heavily mOrtgaeed farms? Il see farm
ers going by my house every day." says
our correspondent, with loads of pota-
toes, corn, oats, rye, hay, ETC., for which
they get in return at the country stores
goods at an eXOrbitanJ price, realizing
from S3 to s. a load for farm products
which it has taken them day with a
team to market. to say nothing of the
cost of producing the stuff. They are
actually working for nothing and board
ing themselves and team. You do not
have to go to the New England states to
see what the high tariff is doing for the
farmers. You. can see it right here at
home. 1t is the darnedeSt condition of
affairs / ever saw"
We are not surprised at the vigorous
language employed by our correspond
ent in giving expression to his opinion
concerning this matter. 1t is enough to
make preacher swear to see the way
the farmers permit themselves to be
bamboOZled by the prOtectiOniSts. 1t is
not because they can not see, but be-
cause they will not see. They are so
blinded by PARTISAN prejudice that they
actually close their eyes to their own
oppressed condition and blindly follow
the high tariff leaders like a flock Of
sheep being led to the shambleS.