The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-08-19

the result OF this reign of selfish greed.
The small land owners are being
pushed to the wall, the larger ones
are no longer able to make both ends
meet; farms in the North, South, East
and West, and especially West, that
twenty-five years ago, during the
period of greatest initiation, that paid
a fair per centage on a valuation of
$40 to $40 are now being foreclosed
on mortgages for half that amount,
and the former owners seeking new
fields of employment for a liveli-
hood.
It is a sad commentary on human
ity, but nevertheless true, that with
an unequal distribution of wealth
there is unequal distribution of social
power. The influence of the middle
class, the man of moderate means, is
no longer felt in the legislative halls
of the capitol, he is being swept away.
Wealth is rapidly concentrating and
out of the consequent corruption but
two classes are forming the lordly
rich and the beggarly poor. While
freGSto admit that the iniquitous pro
tective tariff has brought about the
present depressed state of agriculture
by stripping the poor of three fourths
of their natural savings and concen-
trating a majority of the wealth of the
country in the hands Of an 1nfnites
simally small part of the people, com
posed of manufacturers, trusts, pools
and combines, a repeal alone Of this
unjust measure would not relieve the
present distress. 1t would not lift a
single mortgage. The one thing need
full in the present financial condition
of the people is a debt-paying system
of finance. In comparison with which
all other questions sink into utter in,
significance.
While looking after our National
governmental relations, we must not
lose sight of the education of the
masses. Without this we cannot
prosper and keep pace Intellectually
or materially with other States more
liberal in this matter. Tho country
districts are more dependent upon the
public school system than the towns
and cities; hence we should be especi.
ally interested in having better educa.
tional facilities. We pay here in
North Carolina only forty cents for
public instruction for each man, wo-
man and child, while in the Southern
States the figures III up to eighty nine
cents. In other words, we spend for
education less than one-half the aver
age of other Southern States. Now,
in view of the fact that without educa.
ton we cannot preserve our civil or
religious liberties, or feel or appreciate
the meaning of that precious heritage,
freedom-and realizing that there is
no slavery so CALLING as the slavery
due to ignorance, l heartily recon-
mend this body to lend its aid and
encouragement to a revision of the
present public school system, tnereoy
afording more extended facilities for
common education.
| further recommend the appoint,
ment of a legislative committee whose
duty it shall be to look after the in
terest of the order. Likewise that
some adequate provision be made for
the national per capita tax of 5 cents;
and that the State Secretary be made
State Crop Sta~tistician; the County
Secretary, the County S a;istician,
and the sub. Secretary, the sub Stats,
tician with adequate compensation for
their services; and finally, in view of
the fact that we were numerically
weak at the formation and adoption
of our constitution, and since the
order has wonderfully increased in
strength and members, and the duties
devolving upon US being infinitely
more onerous, / recommend a revision
of the constitution to a special com,
mittee, if it need the approval of this
body.
| have dwelt longer upon national
affairs, believing that there, in the
Capitol at Washington, have origin,
ated the farmers woes and from that
source alone can come the remedy.
Let us continue to insist upon our
National Congress giving us this much
needed relief. History teaches that
the withes with which the rich bind
the poor can be broken only by the,
sword or bloody revolution. But we
have a better method of overturning
fraud and corruption in high places.
We have free speech and free ballot,
and when the wisdom of the acts of
the national meeting, like leaven, be-,
gin to work upon the masses of the
people, then and not till then shall we
have a peaceful and happy solution of
all our troubles. In conclusion I de
sire to return my sincere thanks to
you, to each county and subordinate
body and each individual member for
the universal kindness, courtesy and
houor bestowed upon me. May wis
dom crown your deliberations.