Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-05-24

and would have to sell the produce for what it
would bring and pocket the loss.
And 1t is reasonably certain that il such law
were enacted it would throw on the government
considerable, probably the greater, amount of
the produce SO pledged, and would put the gov
eminent into the market as great seller of
farm produce in competition with the farmers of
the country who had not been under the neces-
sity Of SO warehousing and pledgIng their pro-
duce to obtain part Of its value on it.
The passage of such act would be the
longest step ever taken by this government in
paternalism and class legislation. and would
make the government of the United States q
great merchant and money lender, in defiance of
all our past notions as to its character and the
reasons for its adoption by the people.
Some of our Texas Alliances have also re-
quested me TO support bill introduced by Rep
resentative Featherstone providing for the gov
psr cent loan to ok fne peSRts
on their land to secure its payment. I
cannot lengthen this letter by criticising this
absurd bill further than to say that if it were
made law think it would bankrupt most of
those who would avail themselves OF its pro-
visions, and that !: would make the govern
great troubles of the people now is that they are
too much in debt. And it is incomprehensible
to me that they should be seeking legislation to
enable them to get deeper in debt.
Agriculture was once regarded as among
the most honorable, Independent and re-
munerative occupations. But it has for years
past been taxed for the benefit of railroad cor
poratiens, manufacturers, bondholders and
other large money holders and plutocrats gen.
orally until it is no longer remunerative, and
the young men of the country as they grow up
seek other and more profitable employment.
What farmers should think and work and vote
for is the repeal of existing class legislation,
and not for the adoption of more class legislA-
ton, such as is contemplated by these bills.
The organizations of farmers and laborers to
resist and secure the repeal OF existing class leg
islation has my unqualified approval; but can
not approve efforts by them to secure additional
class legislation.
The members of your Alliance are doubtless
hat 1ha Of in fba Init I'D
States last ,1I2 $50 900 bushels; that of
the wheat crop 49O, $50, 600 bushels; that OF the
oats crop sl 575, COO bushels; not to mention the
tobacco crop and other products which
could be stored in warehouses, and about
$500, 900, 600 worth of cotton. But only the
marketable surplus of these products could be
stored under these bills. I am not informed
what that would have been last year. But
about $3.50, 900, 900 worth Of farm products were
last year exported TO foreign countries. And
the amounts consumed in our own cities and
towns, and by manufacturers, miners, mer-
chants, professional people and other nom
PPFoSaSg be- a. least fo9T s1a
times as much This would probably put
than s., SOC, OOO, 900 worth Of farm products
amount should be placed in the government
warehouses and elevators to secure loans, it
would mean that the people would be suddenly
involved in debt in sum aggregating over
81, 600 900 COO, with their crops pledged for its
payment; and that like sum OF money
would be thrown into circulation In addi-
y.
This would certainly greatly initiate prices of all
commodities and cause great fluctuations in
values, and it would disturb all business and
commercial calculations and produce cslamitous
evils. The interests Of the agricultural class
like all other interests, require steady volunJ6I
of currency and steady prices. Nothing Is more
injurious TO all classes of people than an un-
stable volume Of currency and huctua<ing prices.
We all remember the effect, caused by neces-
sity, of the excessive issues OF Con-
federate money. And the Federal gov
eminent during the war experienced
the same evil in & less degree. And many OF
the people now living remember the DAYS Of
wildcat banks and OF shinplasters, and the
calamities they entailed on the people. Surely
no wise or good man can desire renewed in
Fiction Of such misfortunes.
II the bill providing that the government shah
loan money on land mortgages should be passed.
as well as the sub-treasury bills. ali valnes
would become unsettled, money would become
cheaper than anything else, industry would be
paralyZed and all great enterprises would be
arrested.
recognize and regret The fact that we have
not now sufficient volume OF circulating
money to meet the necessities OF the country.
but You are doubtless aware that I have been
doing all could 70 remedy this evil. ..,ssls
II we can get the free and unlimited e1nage
OF silver, to increase the volume Of the tdrrency
reasonable charges Of transportzticr rates By
the railroads, 6 revenue bin instead of high
protective tariff, and prevent by ststeezud Fed
ersi legislation trug-- and unlawful z6nhindz
tions for the robbery Of the people, and arrest
gambling in grain options. most OF the troubles
we now experience viii pass away, and pros
peflty viii again bless the country
Long rs this letter has become, there Is one
more matter beg to call your attention to-the