Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-02-28
coLsY AND the FARMERS.

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COLBY AND THE FARMERS.
Some weeks since, there appeared
in the columns of this paper, on the
seed question, an editorial which it
seems has been misunderstood by the
farmers in Kingery township. In
that article it was stated, that Colby
had responded to similar appeals for
aid for seed by voluntary. contribu-
lions a number of times. 1t seems
that the Kingery farmers take excep-
tons to the form of statement. They
want it understood that they were not
asking gift from Colby, but simply
a loan of the wheat, and contract to
return i times as much after har-
vest, At the time the article appear
ed in this paper, the proposition OF
the Kingery farmers was thoroughly
understood, and it was not intended to
insinuate that any begging was being
done by them. All that was intended
was to say that other appeals for seeds
had been made to Colby and promptly
met by her citizens by voluntary gift.
This was strictly so. Colby is inter
ested in all that pertains to the vel
fare of our citizens In whatever part
of the county they may be, and it
would be well for her citizens to take
some action to see that our deserving
farmers are literally supplied with
seeds. The article sent up by the
committee from Kingery for publica-
ton denouncing the business men of
Colby was the result of pique. The
man whom it praised never in his life
raised a hand or contributed a penny
for the benefit of the farmers. The
trouble about the business men not
meeting was two-fold: l. The time
selected was the poorest that could
have been chosen as all our business
men were fully occupied on that day,
and 2. The movement had no head,
unless its head was the person men
toned in the article, and if so, the
value of his efforts could be seen by
the outcome of the meeting. Colby
is supposed to have a board of trade
to look out for such matters, but as
things now are, she has none. One
other thing remains for the farmers OF
Kingery township to considerable
price of good spring wheat is now $1.15
the chances are that with any
thing like fair crop, after harvest il
will be worth less than so cents pei
bushel. So that as an investment ]
bushels of wheat for one bushel, would
not be any great inducement. Anoth
er thing is, that just now money is
about as close with the business men
of Colby as it is with the farmers Of
the county. Another thing is thai
our business men are almost daily
called on to contribute toward some
worthy cause and they have to cal
a halt somewhere. Another thing is
that there are but very few merchants
4 in the city who are not carrying many
! 800 on their books in what they have
trusted out to farmers in the county
When the farmer comes to consider
all these matters, he will not say, a.
did the Kingery committee, nor vii
that committee, we feel sure, that Colby
business men are not doing their full
share in upholding our farming popu
latiOn. We know, at least two of Oul
most prominent business men, who by
reason of their liberality to the farm
ers of the county became seriously
crippled for time in consequence
So far as this paper is concerned, it
to-day, is carrying hundreds of dol
lars in subscriptions which ar,
due and it has yet to ask on.
cent of it until such time a
our farmers are able to pay; and thil
is but fair sample of the attitude o.
Colby business men toward the farm
fers of our county.
: BRACE UP.
You are feeling depressed, your appe