Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-04-17

the banking institutions of the country
to the farmer at almost prohibitory
rates. 1t IS an undisputed fact that
under the financial system heretofore
prevailing the farmers have had bare
living, and hardly that, and instances
are sufficiently numerous to establish
the fact that the ownership of the
lands of the country is passing
into the hands of the banking institu-
tions, and the farmers are left landIess
and homeless. Is there another indus
try that could have, even thus long,
survived the exorbitant rates of interest
the farmers have been compelled to pay?
! In the cities an eight and ten per cent.
interest is considered crushing; in the
country money at double this int rest
| is hardly to be obtained. An yet, is the
real estate of tho cities more stable,
more to be trusted than the land that
produces the primary necessities of life?
1t is proof OF the exceptional vitality
of the farming industry that the bur-
dens now resting upon it have not yet
entirely crushed its life, and that wide
spread desola ton does not fill the land.
But such evil day is only postponed
by the disheartened efforts of the farm
ers of the present, and unless the signs
of the times are needed and relief is
afforded the impending catastrophe can
not fail TO fill the land with the wreck
of the farming industry. And not less
than the necessity for a relief is the
justice apparent. The farming indus
try, in the main, supplies the country's
revenues, and has enabled the country
to maintain its position of financial
solvency.
The consumer, after all, pays the
heavy tolls of protection and the duties
laid upon imports. Upon the farmer,
the basis of the human society, rests the
vast structure of the financial interests
of the country in its departmental ex-
penditures and pensions. Is not such an
industry entitled to relief from onerous
and unnecessary burdens? Has not the
money-producer a right to claim the
fostering care of the Government and
right to demand recognition as a finan-
cial factor?
Great banking institutions, fostered
by the Government, may add to the
wealth and beauty of the cities, but are
a terrible commentary upon the Gov
ernments Partially when placed be-
side depressed state of the farming
interests and farms gone to waste for
the want of means with which to work
them. Under the financial system as
now prevailing, tie cities increase in
size and numbers, aad the farms, profit
ably worked, decrease. The sheriff is
kept busy in Offering unproductive es-
tates in the market.
Senator Stanford's proposition to adj
vance to the farmers of the country
Government assistance, in loans at
low rate of interest, meets the necessi-
ty of the case as we'll as the demands of
justice. 1t would eliminate the finan-
cial middleman, and with him his shy
locks percentage, which is the main
burden the farmer now has to carry.
1t is no reply to this proposition that
difficulties appear in the way of the
carrying out of such financial scheme.
What ought to be done can be done.
Wherever a necessity presents itself the
way can be found to meet it. A census
is difficult thing. The collection of a
large internal revenue appeared at one
time difficult matter, and yet the rev.
enue was collected and the census is
taken. Let the Senator's proposition
assume the shape of an understood ne
cesSity, and the carrying of that propo-
sition into effect will become practical
business question readily solved.
As a farmer, deeply interested in my
class, as citizen, desiring the contin-
ued prosperity of the country and its
development in every respect, l add my
mite to the discussion of this vital ques-
ton of the present and the future, and
cry a God-speed to the Senator's bold
attack upon the unjust determinations
in the Governments financial policy,
and welcome the agitation of this ques-
ton in your paper and others that have
the farmers interest at heart.-Cor. Ma
tional View.