Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-13
Changers Lay Out the LegiSIa-
tive Campaign They
Mean to Follow,
LEADING WITH TAX REFORM
Free Coinage and Blaine's Recip-
rocity Plan Endorsed.
SUB-TREASURY SCHEME FAVORED
And Full Credit Taken for the Recent De-
feat of Delamater.
COMPULSORY SCHOOL LAW DEMANDED
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE D1srArcH

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH
HARRISBURG, Dec. 12.-This was the
fourth and last day OF the secret sessions of
the Patrons of Husbandry, held here in the
House of Representatives. Something like
zoo delegates have been in attendance from
all over the State, not to mention visitors
from other States. 1t was great conference
of the Grangers. for they feel that their
millennium is nearly at hand. They not only
rejoice in the defeat of Delamater, the
champion of corporations, as they call him,
but also expect to put through bill for the
equalization of taxation at the coming ses-
sion of the Legislature.
Grand Master Leonard Rhone, of Center
county, was at the Lochiel Hotel tonight,
and expressed himself as delighted with the
bright outlook for the farmer. "Our con-
vention was one of the largest and most i'm
portant ever held" said he. "The first
measure in which we will show our hands is
q bill for the revision of the State revenue
laws, so as to require personal and corporate
property to pay the same rate of taxation
that Is paid by real estate. This would save
TO the real estate owners at least 81 ,000, 900.
champions OF tne measure.
"At present real estate pays over is mills,
while corporate property pays only ~
mills. In the House, Mr.. Taggart, of Mont
gomerv, will champion the BILL while Sena-
tor Brown, of York, will look after Its inter-
ests IN the Senate. We Endorsed the free
coinage of silver, and believe that the vol
ume OF currency should be increased to $40 or
$50 per capita.
1.-The Grangers feel that the agricultural
depression commenced from the time that
the currency was contracted and the re-
sumption of specie payment brought about.
The best time the farmer had was in 1865,
when we had $50 per capita. At present we
have oulv S19 per capita, and it is the worst
time the farmers ever had. We also favored
the Government issuing money to the agri-
cultural classes on real estate security at
low rare Of interest. We felt in urging this
point that the Government is doing no more
for the farmers than they are doing for the
bankers of the country in establishing
national banks.
Bankers and Whisky Men Favored.
"It is in no sense class legislation. When
national banks are established, the Govern
ment advances 80 per cent of the bonds in
currency, and charges only 1 per cent for
the use of the currency. The banks have
really only 10 per cent of their money de-
posted, and besides drawing over 4 per
csat from the Government, can get per cent
from borrowers. Indeed, the Government
treats the poor farmer quite meanly, and it
is no wonder that there is agricultural de-
preston on ali sides.
The whisky men can keep their whisky
in bond for years and pay no tax, whereas
the farmer must paw his taxes within
stated time, or see his house sold from over
his head. The temperance people could
find some strong arguments just here.
Further than this the Grangers, in ad-
yocating such a course, are not acting with
out precedent. Benjamin Franklin, in the
early days OF Pennsylvania, recommended
such course, and in New Jersey and in
England, where the plan has been partially
followed, the experience is that it has
worked well.
Reciprocity Gets an Endorsement.
1--WE also called upon the National Coy
eminent to use its influence in establishing
such reciprocal trade relations as will give
a market TO our agricultural products We
favor Mr. Blaine's reciprocity idea, so far
as it will inure to the benefit Of the agricul-
tural class. We are decidedly opposed to
any reciprocal trade relations that are ex-
clusively for the benefit of the manufac-
urer.
while we have no afiliation with the
Farmers Alliance, we cannot but watch
their course with a great deal of interest
We will favor anything they may do that
viii help along the condition of the farmer.
We do not believe in third party, but we
are willing to have the patronage of any
party that will better the agriculturist class
Credit for Delamater's Defeat.
"Our organization numbers over GO. 900 in
this State and We mean business. We GER
tainIy take the credit upon us OF Delamater's
defeat. He was the only man we opposed
on the Republican ticket. We sent three
messengers to Senator Quay asking him to
withdraw Delamater from the canvass, but
Quay said he could get along without US,
and it seems he has.
'Mr. Delamater fought our tax bill, and
in so doing struck at one of the first objects
OF our organization, the equalization of
taxes. You NAV expect to hear from us in
the coming Legislature.
Compulsory School Law Wanted.
At the meeting Of the Grange to-day the
Committee on Education In its report re-
quested the Legislature to double the an
nual appropriation to public schools. which
is now s., 100000; to increase the school
term, ana compel parents to keep their chill
dren at school until they attain the age of IL.
The Committee on Legislation suggested
amendments 10 Ihe game and nSh laws, max
ing II a criminal otfense to trespass on lands
without permission of the owner; and re-
quiring fencing along public highways and
railroads. The Committee on Agriculture
recommended a change in the law authoriz-
ing the formation OF the State Board of Ag-
rlculture, so that members must be elected
by the joint vote of all the county agricuI-
tural and horticultural societies. The
Grange adopted the foregoing reports, after
which 1t adjourned finally.
The new Committee on Legislation is
Leonard Rhone, Centre; James G. Nc
Sharon, Lancaster; Gerard c. Brown,
York; A. L. Taggart, Montgomery; r. ii.
Thomas, Cumberland. The committee is
expected to look after the interests of the
Grangers before the Legislature A dressed
beet bill will probably be introduced. as
well g. other measures considered beneficial
to the farmers.