The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-01-03

That is, beginning in 1850 with such
wealth as each person on an average then
possessed, the gain in 10 years OF low
tariff in these States was such per cent.
OF the wealth of 1850 as is given IN the
first column. Then beginning in 1860
with such wealth as each person on an
average then possessed, the gain in the
next 20 years OF high tariff was such per
cent. OF the wealth of 1860 as is stated In
the second column. A mere glance at
the tables shows that under the low tariff
the agricultural states increased their
wealth very rapidly; much more rapidly
than the manufacturing states IN the
East; while under the high tariff the
manufacturing states have not only ac-
cumulated wealth more rapidly than the
agricultural states, but the latter have
very seriously declined in their rate of
accumulation.
These figures have set me to thinking
and have raised several questions In my
mind concerning which am trying to ar
rive at satisfactory conclusion. think
we farmers can draw our own conclusions
from such facts as the above, but 1t seems
to me q little help would make the solu-
ton more certain, easy and speedy, and
relieve us from apprehensions that error
has been committed by not taking into
~-------+ o+hor modifying or qualifying
circumstances. Some of these questions
are:
l. Why the wealth of the agricultural
states under the low tariff increase very
rapidly from 1850 to 1860; and why did
these states during the next twenty years
under the high tariff grow in wealth one
half or one third as fast in some cases
and only one fourth as fast in others, as
they had done previously?
2. Why did the people in the manu-
featuring states double and treble the
speed with which they accumulated
wealth after 1860?
8. Is the country as a whole growing
rich any faster since 1860 than it did
prior to that time; or has the larger ac-
emulation of wealth in the manufactur-
ing section been simply subtracted from
what would, except for the high tariff,
have been the accumulations of the agri-
cultural states?
4. If the farmers constitute the largest
class in the country, is their prosperity
any less important than that Of any other
class; if they produce their fair share Of
reputable men and women, of good citi-
zens, brave soldiers and wise statesmen,
Is the country making real progress
while agriculture is growing yearly less
and less attractive9
5. Is it really true that Congress is
able, if so disposed, to build up one Sec
ton by means of tariffs at the expense of
other sections?
Now I must confess that I have formed
opinions on all these questions, but do
not, like some campaign speakers, imagine
that I know all that is to be known on
the subject. I send this letter for pub
LEGATION in order to call the attention of
my neighbors to these queries and not an
attempt to give them instruction. I be-
Eeve it is better for every farmer to study
these questions for himself and I am glad
to know that the questions which 1 have
indicated above are beginning to be
talked about since the election by the
farmers with real sincerity of purpose in
stead of mere partisan zeal. Indeed,
expect to get much help in my study
from the suggestions of others, and may
I not ask you Mr.. Editor, to let a little
of your light shine on the questions l
have propounded?