St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-09
S124,935
HOW HE is AFFECTED.
The Opinion Of an Illinois Farmer
as to His Rights and Wrongs.


The farmer is the only producer He
alone "makes two spears of grass grow
where but one grew BEFORE" All 9TH
ers are but manipulators, and however
useful and important as aids, still the
farmer is the foundation of all national
prosperity and greatness. His success
results in the general good, his failure
in universal lOss-but for him the en-
gines of our railroads and our steamships
would stand rusting on their tracks or
lie idle at the docks, the wheels of
our factories cease to move and the fires
go out in our forges-hiS labOrS fill the
vast warehouses of our merchant
princes, otherwise untenanted: give
circulation to the wealth of our banks.
otherwise living unproductive IN their
svaults. and but for him lawyers and
politicians would starve. When ma
1tiOn neglectS or fails to promote Its agrl-
culture, progress ceases and decay be-
gins.
In the face of these indisputable facts
the questions arise: FirSt-Are the just
demands of the American farmer meet
ing with due consideration and is he re-
ceYing his fair share of our increasing
wealth? The records of our legislation,
both state and national, the absorbing
attention given to less important mat
tiers, to the neglect Of the farmer, COM
pei negative answer to the
first question, while the astounding
facts developed by the census of
1880, showing that the agricultural
wealth of the nation, which prior to
1850 had kept pace in growth with other
forms of wealth. absolutely decreased
in relative value from over 81 per cent
NJ in md hn
further fact that from 1860 to 1890, while
other forms of wealth increased by the
enormous sum of $4,000, 100000. the
wealth of the most important
interest, giving labor and sup
port to the great mass of our
population, increased less than S5.000,-
0O0,0OO, shows most cODclusively that
the farmer is not receiving just re-
turn for his contribution to the material
prosperity of the nation. In fact, is it
not clear that he is made the packhOrSe
to carry the burden, while in return he
is left to brouse on thistleS and exist as
best he can?
Again. who bears the main burden of
taxation? Is it not the landed interest
which cal 1t be hid away as stocks and
bonds can and are? For answer go to
our cit and towns and see the insig-
niicant amount OF personal property
on the assessment rolls, scarce 81 in
500 of actual values. Why should
there not be an income tax put upon the
thousands of millionailes, whose vast
wealth is the result of unequal laws?
The present is an era of combination
I might almost say cOnSplracy-of
capital against the producer and the
laboring masses. Within few months
sugar, one of the necesSaries of life,
has, it is stated, advanced 81 per cent
in price simply through trust, a COM
bination of sugar mOnopoliStS, destroy
ing Just competition. Trust combina-
tions are springing up everywhere, even
in our small towns. placing the farmer
and the laboring man at the mercy OF
their demands. instead of giving
the advantages or fair cOmpetl-
ton. AS illustrative, the druggists
of county recently combined, and in
single day forced up prices from 30 to
any of the number caught violating the
agreement. Why may not the dry
goods, hardware men, or the butcher
follow suit? And why is this? Simply
to oblige the community to support ten
men. when but five are necessary, in
stead of five going to the plough or the
workshops to earn an honest living.
Is it not time, then, for the farmer
and the laboring man to begin thor
ough system of self-defence? Is it not
time to lay aside minor issues, and by
organization and discussion, protect
: their greater interests and regain their
/ lust rights, that labor may receive
its due reward? If any exist
ing party organs fail firmly to
represent us, let our patronage
be given exclusively to those who will,
or others be established. Let every
legal effort be made to overthrow all
monopolies, and force others to sell in
open markets, as we are compelled to
do with our products, meeting the com
petition of the whole world, giving
Justice to all and accepting no less for
ourselves. Yours faithfully,
/ D