The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-03-19
RALEIGH, N. O., MARCH 10, 1880

the hands of creditors, by packed
Federal court; then paying a high
premium on immature bonds, instead
OF furnishing adequate currency to
all the channels of trade; and worse
than all, piling up big surplus in the
treasury, flched from the pockets of
honest industry, earned by the sweat
and agony of toiling millions INSULT
clently clothed and underfed," to
tempt extravaganza and corruption at
Washington. This writer is no ad-
vocate for an unlimited issue of ire
deemable greenbacks, but is well
aware that the government has been
guilty of cheapening the price of the
products of the fields by legislating
money .scare-taking it out of the
pockets of the people and out of cir
culation and without necessity
The government goes further, in
singing out an industry not only agri-
cultural, but mainly sectional-for the
bulk of all the tobacco grown in the
United States is raised in the South
ern and Southwestern States and i'm
poses upon it tax greater than the
value of the product, and still retains
this tax, to help swell the useless sur
plus in the treasury and to Cypress
this particular industry. Its reten-
tion, under all the circumstances, is a
national shame and stigma of op-
preston unworthy Of a government
of the people, by the people, for the
people.
UNEQUEL TAXATION.
1t is notorious, that the farmer pays
more tax on his property than any
other class in the community Or gov
ernment, and therefore bears the
heaviest public burden. His property
being largely in lands, farm stock and
implements are incapable of conceal
ment like money, bonds, stock and
personal property and all his posses
sions are listed for taxation under
State, county and township levies, and
they are often so great as to seriously
handicap productive industry. Thus
welgee agriculture loaded by taxation
with the heaviest burdens, while more
productive capital remains partially
or wholly exempt. For, just in pro
portion as the basis of taxation is mar
rowed, just so much greater tax
must be exacted from the lawful sub
jects Of taxation.
Now, why does the farmer pay,
more than his equitable share Of the
expenses Of government ? Simply
because he has not been properly rep
resented in the halls of legislation,
State or national. But necessity will
force him to the front, for self-preser
vation is the first law of nature, and
home and patriotism are above party;
and, therefore, if true to themselves
and loyal to their calling, farmers will
see to it that in the future they will
be represented by worthy men who
are capable and eager to protect the
interests and defend the rights of the
foundation industry of this great
country.
The highest public duty devolving
upon the citizens of this republic is
to exercise his right of suffrage fear
lessly, freely and honestly in choosing
the best and wisest public servants to
represent him in our national and
State assemblies; and it is clearly
within the power of the farmers of
this country, as it is their bounden
duty, to make their influence felt for
the welfare of their oppressed and
languishing industry, which was never
before in greater peril or more needed
the even-handed justice which ought
to have been willingly accorded to it
as we'll as to other languishing indus
trial interests of the people.
Our next will discuss the one-sided
and unfair exactions imposed by the
trade upon the producing classes.
r. L. RAGLAND,
Hyco, Va.