The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-08-20

NOT SO PREVALENT AS CROAK-
Frs WOULD HAVE US THINK.
Tho Press of Iowa tho Agricultural
situatiOn-The Famcrs Seem tn lie Get
ting Along Nicely. and VIII Keep Out of
the Poor House Tor "a While Longer.
FROM the Chicago Inter OCEAN

scum to ite YET
ting Along Nicely. and VIII Keep Out of
the Poor House Tor ~ While Longer.
From the Chicago Inter Ocean,
ARE FARMERS IMPOVERISHED?
We copy below the answers of num-
Der OF Iowa papers 10 the above question
and similar testimony could doubtless
be drawn.from the press OF other West
ern States. 1t will be seen that the
calamity" idea of the present agricul-
tural situation is not so prevalent as GER
tain croakers would make us believe:
Waterloo Reporter; Within few
doors of each other on "A certain block i'm
this city live five farmers who have each
earned competence of this worlds
goods and retired from the farm To spend
the rest of their days in taking the COM
forts born of the fruits of their labor
On corner In neighboring block
another farmer has purchased nice lot
and will shortly build modern residence
ana also retire. This condition can not
boHqualod in this town by any other
branch of business, and seems to be
pretty good answer To the croakers who
have been bewailing the impoverished
condition of the Western farmer. Farm
ing, when rightly done, seems TO pay
pretty well in these parts.
lndianola Hcrdld: There is much said
these days concerning the farmer. He
is termed "the poor farmer" "the down
trOddcn farmer" and various other
names, all of which is certainly very
disgusting To the average intelligent,
free Amcrican-bOrn farmer citizen. The
Herald IS not acquainted with the condi-
tion of farmers in other parts Of the
State. They may be a lot of ignorant,
downtrodden slaves. but we want 20 re-
sent with great yigor the idea that any
such condition of affairs exists ameng
the farmers of Warren County. On the
contrary, they as "A class are the wealth.
est, most independent of all others.
They run the politics of the county, hold
the Offices, represent the county in the
Legislature, levy the taxes, and assess
the property. The two banks in Indian
ola are owned, controlled, and managed
by farmers. They are about the only
SGt of gentlemen who, when they die and
the debts are paid, have something To di-
vide among their children. The Judges
and clerks of court know this to be true
The farmers Of Warren County have to-
day deposited in the banks OF this city
about 100000, which is there for safe
keeping. They do not get interest on il.
Some of the farmers are scarce Of money,
anu llldllN vi lItnl dIt UlOIlSdStu, DuJ
as a class they have plenty. The farm
ers of Warren County disdan To be
called downtrodden. They arc free men,
and not slaves TO any man or set OF men.
The Herald is of the opinion that the
farmers of all Iowa are as independent
and free as those of this county.
Grundy Center Republican: There are
a large number of farmers in this county
who have retired from active business
and are taking life easy. Many of them
have moved To town, either bought or
built nice residences, and are educating
their children In order 10 knock dema-
gogism over the oppressed farmer in the
head, IL is only necessary to take ride
into the country and one can notice
prosperity on every hand among the
farmers. Not ten days ago the writer
was out in the west part OF Palmero
Township, and the only rickety houses
and barns observable belonged TO Iowa's
Governor, Mr.. Boise The Governor is
not IA poor man by any means and we
suppose that If Gen. Weaver or some Of
his ilk were riding over this county
with a stranger, these houses and barns
would be- pointed out to show how OPP
pressed the poor farmer is, when, in fact,
they belong 10 a gentleman who is plenty
able 10 put up neat cottages and barns
for all his renters. With the Democracy
il j. anything to catch votes, no matter
how they are secured.
Cedar Rapids Times: While we can
not say the city is full OF retired farmers,
men who live at their ease in a modest
and sensible way. we can say there is
large number of them. more than any
other class OF men in the city who have
tf.,lI h.
tive battles of life And we may add
that not all the independent well-to-do
farmers, farmers who do not owe dollar
and who have money at interest, who
have good houses and barns, cattle and
horses, and good comfortable carriages
for their families, are in the city. There
are scores of them on their farms within
but short distance of the city, sitting
under their own vines and zig trees,
spending the evening of their days In
peace and plenty. There have been
more farmers, two TO one. who COM
menccd with but little or nothing since
we came TO Cedar Rapids and who have
secured competency than any other
class of men in the city, or out of it.
Atlantic Messenger: While the dema-
gogues are wailing over the oppressed
condition of the farmer the farmer him
self is building new residences, new
barns. buying more stock, and laying by
a balance in the bank. The best car
riagcs seen on the streets OF Atlanta are
driven by farmers who few years ago
had nothing. Take it year in and year
out there is no business man who does
better on his investments, is so indcpen-
dent and enjoys life more than the farmer
who really farms. If any one doubts
-
let him count up the number in every
Iowa county seat who have moved into
town for the purpose of schooling their
children and taking life easy. Atlantic
is full of them, and so are the others.
Speaker Roed's Reply.
Thomas B. Reed. replying to ~. VI.