The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-11-20
FARM AND HOME TOPICS.
DOES FARMING PAY ANY LoNeeRr
A Question of Interest to the Agricultural
Shall the Next Census Show the Mort
cages on Farms and Homese-Rec-
iPss-Farm Notes, Ect.

To THE EDIToR-.Sir: There is a grow
ing feeling that the farmers and other
wealth-producers do not receive an equita-
Die return for their toll. The statements
are repeatedly made that 'the rich are
growing richer and the poor poorer" that
30 per cent. of the wealth of the country
is owned by less than 5 per cent. of the
population; that three-ffths of all the
wealth is in the hands OF less than thirty
thousand persons, and that the sturdy,
self-respecting farmer is becoming the
American peasant Lack of facts upon
which to base conclusions has rendered
even theorizing valueless, and ignorance
OF the truth makes the prevalent discon-
tent only more dangerous. The first re-
quisite TO an intelligent discussion of the
subject is a knowledge OF the actual facts
in the case. Up to this time none of any
importance have been collected. Much
statistical information has been gathered
and published to show the production of
wealth in this country, but none to show
its distribution. An important step in this
direction, in fact the primary step, would
be the collection of data to show to what
extent the farms and the homes-the basis
of our civilization-are owned by their Oc-
cupants and free from debt.
Correspondence has been had with the
chiefs of the bureau of statistics of the va
riouS states asking them whether they had
collected any such information. With sin
gular unanimity they reply that the facts
are OF great importance and ought to be
collected, but that the labor and expense
| of such an investigation are too great TO be
undertaken by state bureau and that the
work naturally devolves on the national
| census
Mr.. Robert P Porter, superintendent of
the eleventh census, in reply to CORE
| spondence on this subject, SAYS that the
act authorizing the census did not conteln-
plate the collection of these data; that be-
fore he can undertake the work there
must be special legislation by congress in
structing him to do so. and that he will lay
| the matter before the secretary of the inte-
riOr with view to securing such legisla-
ton. There is no doubt that If general
public demand existed the legislation
| could be secured. The country cannot
afford to wait till another census for the
facts, as at least fifteen years will be re-
quired to make them public, and in these
days OF the rapid concentration OF wealth
into few hands that time is too long for
first diagnosis of the case. By that date
the patient may be fatally i'll.
With view to creating such a demand,
the Western economic association OF st.
Louis has issued this address to the farm
ers and other weath-producers of the
country. The practical method of pro-
cedure is for any body of such individuals,
either organized or unOrganized, to adopt
resolutions of the following character and
send them to Washington:
Whereas, There is growing belief that the
farmers and other producers of the country do
not obtain an equitable share of the wealth
which they create, and that the farms and the
homes of the country are very largely under
mortgage; and,
Whereas, Exact knowledge on this subject is
of great importance in the study of the social
and economic questions of the day; therefore,
be it by Gnsert here the name of the body
adopting the resolutions, and the locality:)
Resolved, That it is our judgment that the
next Us. census should show what per centage
of the people in this country occupy their own
farms and homes, and what proportion are
tenants; and of those who occupy their own
farms and homes what proportion have their
property free from debt; and of the farms and
homes which are under mortgage what per-
centage OF the value is so mortgaged; and be it
further
Resolved, That the secretary of this meeting
be requested to transmit n copy of these resolu-
tons to the Hon. J ohm w. Noble, secretary of
the interior, Washington, ID. c., and a copy to
the congressman from this district, with re-
quest that ne use his influence to have these
facts collected and published.
This matter is neither republican or demo-
cratic. 1t Is purely economic. The appeal is
made to you personally, the reader. The next
time you are in a meeting of the wheel the
alliance, the farmers and laborers' union, ordi-
nary mass meeting or what not, introduce res
olutions expressing these sentiments and send
them to the officials named As the re-assem-
bling of congress is at hand and as considera-
bic time will be required to procure the neces-
saTY legislation and TO prepare the schedules
before the next enumeration, prompt action is
necessary. c M. NATION, Pres,
Il. c. KELLER, Secy,
Western Economic Association.
st. Louis, Mo.