The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-03-25
SUB-TREASURY BILL.
The Farmers Alliance Method of Deal
ing With Public Questions.
T. Old Fog7'' in the Washington PostI

LUIIOR OSI. 4uSE6 Is aG present.
very much talk and discussion over a
bill recently introduced in the United
States Senate by Senator Vance, from
North Carolina, and known as the
sub treasury bill. For introducing
this bill by request the distinguished
Senator has oeen unkindly criticised
by some and highly complimented by
others. The environments of those
who have written and spoken on the
subject have had very much to do
with their conclusions. Newspapers,
deriving their support from railroads,
bankers and merchants, whose inter
ests center in towns and cities, natur-
ally sympathize with those from whom
their support directly comes. On the
osher hand, papers that derive their
support from the agricultural classes
have long known the oppressed and
depIorable condition Of the tiller of
the soil; and they gladly give their
support to a measure that they honest
ly believe will benefit the farmer.
There are exceptions to both classes
We know Of newspapers published in
country towns that oppose the sub
treasury bill because they do not think
it wise one, and on the contrary we
know city papers that will defend it
when convinced that it is a wise and
safe measure. Let US then, without
prejudice against the bill, or sympathy
for it, analyze the bill.
Briefly, the bill proposes to allow
the producer to place in warehouses,
to be erected or owned by the govern
ment, the products of the soil-such
products as all must have-such
products as are annually exported.
1t further proposes that the govern
ernment shall advance to the producer
80 per cent. Of the loc Il values Of the
products warehoused, and that the
producers may retain owner ship for
any term less than one year, and that
the government shall charge for such
servl, enough to cover cost Of in
surance, handling, ETC., and per cent.
on the sc per cent. Of the values ad
vanced.
The objections ag 4inst the bill ara,
first, that it Is a new Or at I'd
scheme, and that il = visionary, nj
is the product of "Hayseeders," W.
are not accustomed to finance or legis-
lation. When Fulton proposed TO
navigate the rivers with a steamboat :"
similar objections were raised. When
Harvey discovered the circulation of
the blood no respectable physician
over forty years of age accepted the
discovery as a fact.
This is equally true of telegraphy
and many other innovations in ideas
prevailing at the time an important
discovery is made. So that if these
objections were founded in fact
they would prove nothing. But
when it is known that they are
founded in ignorance of historical
facts, then these objections appear
ridiculous, and those who pose as en-
cyclopedias of political knowledge
must feel that at least one volume of
facts, if swallowed, was not digested.
Joseph, the secretary of state for
Pharoh, established warehouses in
the cities against the time of need.
In 1853, Frederic II, Of Prussia,
opened the government warehouses
for his people. He loaned money to
the government, and the beneficial re-
suits are known to ali students of his
tory.
In l848, the French Republic was
forced to adopt system of warehouses
similar to the plan in the bill intro
duced by Senator Vance.
The warehousing of products en-
abled France to pay the indemnity
forced by the Germans, and gave
France the financial prosperity that is
hers to-day.
The French plan is just the reverse
of the English. They protect the
poor, they encourage small holdings,
and fewer French leave their country
than any other nationality.
The "national monte de pledad" of
Mexico is a modified form of the
French plan for the benefit of those
needing loans. If those who are SO
anxious to condemn this bill will ex-
anime the facts they will at least save
themselves from appearing ridiculous.
The second objection urged is the
cost of the warehouses. To this we
reply, that the people who pay large
per cent. of the taxes Of the country
are asking for it. The farmer and
laborer furnish a large per cent. Of
the defenders Of our country they are
asking for it.
Congress has appropriated from
1882 to 1889, $50, 900, 900 for improv-
ing creeks, rivers and harbors. 1t has
appropria ed in the same time as much
for Indian service as we ask for to
build the warehouses. 1t has appro-