Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-10-11
FARMERS AND RAILROADS.
Come Very Interesting and Instructive


I Facts.
From the st. Louis Globe Democrat
| 1t is the habit of d certain class of agi-
tators TO represent that the farmers are at
| the mercy of the railroads. But they
never furnish any figures to justify this
view, and do not seem to know how easy
it is to reiute their statements Mr. De
pew has recently discussed the matter in
one of his addresses, and the facts that he
brings forward are decidedly interesting
and instructive. Fifty years ago, he re-
minds US, there we're only 800 miles of rail-
way in the United States, and to-day there
are 10000. Every mile of this increased
transportation service has brought into
cultivation 100000 acres of land, accord
ing to his estimate. There were 100000
farms fifty years ago, whereas there are
now between 100000 and 100000, and
the aggregate investment in agriculture
has increased from $4,000, 100000 to ST.
100000. The farms and the railroads
have grown together, as allies and part
ners. Without the latter the former could
not have multiplied at such a remarkable
rate. The railroad has opened vast new
areas to settlement and development and
provided means for getting surplus prod
ucts to distant markets in an advantageous
way. Hundreds of thousands of homes
have been secured by the people which
could never have been obtained under
other conditions; and the gains of agri-
culture have surpassed all precedent in
the history of civilization.
All this is worth remembering when we
are asked to believe that the railroads are
inimical to the welfare of the farming ele-
ment They have not always dealt justly
and fairly with their patrons. but they
have certainly contributed to the general
prosperity of the country in a greater
measure than any other one agency Of con-
venience and progress. 1t is not true, as
is so often charged, that they impose the
highest rates that the traffic will stand.
On the contrary, particularly as to agri-
cultural products, they have reduced their
tariffs from time to time in much larger
degree that is commonly understood. In
the last twenty years, Mr.. Depew points
out, railway rates have gone down over
100 per cent, while the products of the
farm have fallen only about 80 per cent
This does not indicate that the railroads
have pursued policy of systematic and
relentless extortion. Perhaps their rates
are still too high here and there, but on
the whole there is no room for reasonable
complaint. The tendency is toward further
reduction all the time. Every attempt of
one road or system of roads to increase the
rates is promptly antagonized and defeated
by another The railroad business has
assumed condition which promises the
cheapest service that can be afforded, and
all combinations to prevent such a result
are sure to fail Considering all the cir
cumstances, the farmers are being benefited
by the railroads to an extent that should
win their friendship and close their ears to
the talk of those who tell them that exor
bitant freights are absorbing their sub
stance and depriving them of their rights.
1t is only necessary for them to look at the
facts in sober and practical way in order
to realize that the agitators are deceiving
them for selfish and mischievous purposes.