The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-02-23
The Berks Farmers.


The Reading Pa. Times, an able and earnest
Republican organ, announces that the sheriff
of Berks will sell more farms IN February
than have been sold at any one time since the
panic of 1873. Il very pertiuently adds that
''the unusual number Of farms sold has az.
tracted considerable attention and excited
much comment
Well. wha; must be the intelligent comment
on the failure OF so many farmers in Berks
county? 1t Is not accident; it Is not the re
suit OF panic. such We had in 1873; u IS not
because of any financial revglslou, for money
is plenty and cheap; i Is not the result OF de-
preston IN the price OF tarm products. Tor
thew have commanded improved markets dur
ing the last year. and Is viii not be pretended
that there has been overtradiug among the
frugal farmers ct BerAs
Non that the national campaign IS over and
partisan prejudice aud passion do not obscure
the truth. from those who have most interest
in the truth. the farmers viii readily see why
they are realizing less for iheir Investments
and labor each year and WHY their lands arr
steadily diminishing in value. Il IS not be
cause they earn less bot Is Is because they are
taxed more. All industrial enterprises cat
side eft monopoly combines, are nos Compel
ed TO produce at The closest margins Of
profit
our industries. is now persshing slowly bat
surely from she continuation Of var taxes
maintained nearly a quarter OF ceatury after
peace. and when ihc pahbc Treasury has been
Overlooking with Surplus millions t1T years
Il Is taxation. and taxation only. ;hal j. de-
preciatjng the vaiae 81 oar farms aud lessen.
ing the reWara Of agricultural labor from year
u year. The farmer IS taxed. neealess,y
taxed. for almost everything h. and his family
consume II be scans hls dress, from has 20
boots and from understanding 70 cTeTcaai, be
IS taxed foF everything he wears, and bis wile
and daughters are ake living monuments 81
needless taxation. His house Is taxed from
cellar 10 garnet; bis baru Is taxed from foam.
dation stone 10 root .hinsic. Bis implements
are taxed from hoe - thresber. ais furnish
jng "a taxed fr0m dusi pau 90 bed. from car
Pc, TO curtain, fr0n the iiEhi VI wiUd0E 10 the
darkness Of ciesuIs fsam Bible So newspaper,
from salt IN table, and TIE oRiy protection
offered hira Is the vcriesJ mockeTy.
In shor, the farmer has become ghe aaa
who works aud uays. Whi,e cumhfncs gnter
excessive tax avs s,fip airn 81 bis yaiHes aud
DOOM him 20 sesyiiE1c aud poverty. ihey
profess ~ protect bis wool % which ae gives
30 labor and gross only as an iacideHt. ard
they tax aim ten 90 tweHty !1la more Ter hrs
voolens which be zni 81 his family uus1
weak. They pFutess 70 Pr1teef bias "a bis
sheat. shea BE mast caapcte Nsth ieffsgu
markets Niih hss sErrlas. aad tbt gre
tended protection is caietly q iaN oa ais i'm
ported seed; ard thns from sJsk % iessaF';
lfaui secular duties O. devotional, BE- y
taxed and uaccksd. aad Knocked aud taxed,
uuiii farms have tsiiea IN vaiae and she
Sheriff is gradually closing thea est whsu
thu general basiseSs Of ihe e0aagFf T. pros
porous
What The farmers q bah the East and ise
West mosI nred is o. stop p5ltics and s;ady
equality af taxes Wbsnevcr they ST aoua
90 that one siady thas most iatesvsts them.
there Sill be a sudden 0verthros % par taxes
in line OF peace. and . iike sadden avershtoE
81 monopoly masters who Boz sap gas ltir
blood Of the hn.ba1imcn,