Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-08-28
The Corn Question

Inc SuolOlne0 article from tue
Globe-Democrat states very clearly
the situation of the corn problem,
which for year has been a great one
in the southwest, and also tells some
homely truths ab0-t trying 20 regulate
the markets by legislation
The latest estimates with respect 20
the corn crop in the seven western
states that supply most Of the surplus
put the yield at from 50 to 50 per cent.
as compared with that of last year.
In round numbers, the total SHRINK
age aggregates about 65O,O0O. 900 bush
els, or over p per cent. The amount
required for home consumption Is p
O0o, ,OO0, 600 bushels, and the total crop
this year is not likely to exceed !. 600, =
10000. IL will thus be seen that i1-
stead Of an OverProductiOn as in 1889,
the prospect is for a considerable de-
ieieney even in the supply for domes-
tic uses. A single year has served, in
other words, to reverse the situation
OF the farmers in the matter Of the
market for .heir corn. They will have
no trouble to dispose of it this year
at satisfactory prices. There will be
no corn used for fuel the coming win
ter. nor will the value of the precinct
be regulated regardless OF the produc-
ers interest. The farmer who sells a
busbel OF corn from this time on for
less than SOC will be doiig a very fool
ish thing; and corn that brings soc
means a larger profit than is realized
in any other business. To be sure the
number of bushels is materially small
er than il was last year. but each
bushel has a remnnerative value, and
as a whole the crop is worth cOnsidera-
bly, more than was obtained for the
preceding larger one.
The significant change might well
serve as text for some Suggestions to
the farmers concerning the various
projects that have been brought for
ward for their relief. No. one of
those schemes has prOfted them a
cent. They have been eagerly seek
ing assistance through political chan
nels, and influences beyond their con-
troll have done more for them than all
their organizing and agita;ing. The
tariff remains just as il was when corn
was selling at Zoe and l3c bushei, and
the increase in the currency has not
yet had any practical effect upon pric-
es- In short, the facts go to show
that agriculture, ike every other in
dustry, is largely governed by forces
that legislation cannot reach. The
men who propose 20 regulate the mar
kets by acts Of congress are only dema-
gogues, angling for votes. That mat
ter is subject for the most part 10 the
law Of supply and demand. which op-
crates uniformly and irresistibly.
When the farmers have more to sell
than the world wants 10 Ouy they are
obliged to take what they can get for
IL; and when the world wants more
than they have to sell they can prac-
tically tx the prices. That is a sim
pie way Of stating the whole. There
is DO mystery about IL, and no depths
Of absiruse philosophy tina. need TO be
laboriousiy sounded We cannot de-
wise statutes that will insure good
prices for any product, regardless Of
intervening circums stances. There is
no political pauacea for natural ills,
and no artificial method Of making an
article sell for more than somebody is
willing 70 pay.