Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-09-25

cases Where no otner stanuaru OF Rrhue
is agreed upon.
Argument of Hon. Henry L. Morey'
of Ohio, before the committee on agri-
culture, August Is, 1890, in favor of q
| national standard. classification and
grading American grain:
Mr.. Chairman-I am indebted to the
courtesy of this committee for an oppor-
tunity of directing attention to what
conceive TO be one of the most import
ant questions that can engage the atten-
tention of the American congress.
The resources of our country may be
grouped in three great divisions-agri-
culture, manufacture and comm cree.
Through these agencies are produced
and distributed the food and clothing
which are indispensable necessaries of
human life.
The prosperity and welfare of the
whole people depend on the preserva-
tion and development Of these industries,
commensurate with the needs of the
people.
And SO far as legislation can affect
their condition in any respect, it is the
part of wisdom and patriotism to enlarge
the opportunities of the people and to
make them more secure IN the Legitimate
fruits of their labor.
This is true of oil the great industries
by which the world 8 supply of the neces-
sarIes and comforts of life is produced
and distributed.
And this Is especially true of agricul-
ture, on account of the vast Importance,
as well as on account Of the conditions
under which this industry is necessarily
carried on.
The prosperity of the whole people is
affected by, and dependent upon, the
prosperity of each class; hence, no in
dustry should be permitted to languish
for want of any legislative aid, which
can fairly be extended without encroach-
ing upon the rights of any other
industry, with view of each
industry attaining the best development
which it might attain under conditions
which fairly belong to it.
1t is the great office of the farmer to
furnish the food supply of the world.
How can we best enable the American
farmer to supply our people? Upon what
conditions can the consumer get the best
bread and the farmer the most certain
and adequate reward for his labor
and his toilp Many panaceas are
offered; all kinds of chimerlcal schemes
are invented and presented to the farmer
as cure for all the Ills he has fallen
heir to.
But Mr.. Chairman, in my opinion,
one of the most benef1cent things that
congress can do for the farmer Will be to
enact legislation such as will tend to ele-
vate the standard of the products of the
soil; such as will encourage the raising OF
better wheat, corn and oats, and
| will protect the same from
] being adulterated and degraded
before it reaches those who buy it
| for bread. II congress by a law help to
| bring about this benehcent result, it will
secure purer food to the people, which is
| their right, and to the farmer a surer
and better reward for his labor, which is
his due.
From the nature of his occupation, the
farmer is isolated and somewhat removed
| from his fellows, each operating indie
pendently.
The product of the farm is in each case
limited in quantity, and forms the small
est part of the aggregate production, an d
it only becomes commercially part of
| that aggregate after 1t passes from his
possession into the hands of the middle
men.
Here the good and the bad, the clean
and the filthy, the sound and the IN
sound grain are assembled together, and
the result Is that local and speculative
interests deteriorate and degrade the
products of our American farms, with
injury to both consumer and producer.
Thoughtful and experienced men have
given this subject long, patient and pa
trIotic consideration, and the result of
the best thought is that q national stand
ard of classification and grading VIII eat
and other grain is the best means of fur
Their improving the quality of our food
product, and the best protection of those
who raise pure grain of good quality and
market the same in good condition,
against deterioration by minglIng there
with grain of inferior quality under in
spections and classifications, which are
controlled by local and specula-
tive interests rather than by the inter-
ests of those who produce food, and
should be permitted TO market the same
in its purest and best condition, and
thereby secure the best rewards of their
labor or the interests of those who con-
sumo the same and are entitled to the