Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-10-15

aud are depeuden; upon our agricultural indus
try Have the accurauiations of the farmer been
as rapid in proportion to the capital invested as
those Of the protected elassesa
These questions have been frankly answered by
the committee on ways and means OF tie House
in the negative. 1t must therefore be assumed as
an admitted fact, in the discussion of this meas
urs that the agIiculturiss, composing three-hitns
OF our population, are not keeping pace IN CROWN,
wealth and development with those engaged IN
our other great industries but are IL fact, losing
the position they held when the Republican party
assumed control Of this Government III 1901.
Including the value of FARMS. stock, implements
and machinery, there Is invested III agriculture
the enormous sum of St7 Io4 ,ooSz4o- The magui-
tude of the investment. and the number OF people
depending upon II for their support demands OF
those who are commissioned to frame legislation
that NAV affect its prosperity the most careiul
consideration; and yet, sir, the most critical
ANALYSIS OF the provisions OF this bill will disclose
no effort made by its trainers TO remove the &C.
preston which now rests upon II, but on the con-
trary d familiarity with is declared policy inust
convince the most biased ard prejudiced, that IN
arranging its details there has been apparently,
deliberate purpose and intention 10 increase me
excessive burdens under which II labors hi
evidences neither spirit Of wisdom nor patriot
ism on the part Of those who are responsible
for IT,
Mr. President those engaged in the occupation
OF lcdQ Llpsl lives VI any -
the citizens OF the Republic. At work before the
rays OF the morning sun glds the Eastern horizon,
and found guiding the pillow through Its iuFrcw
when the twilight Of evening blends into the
darkness Of night. Though the largest in num-
bers aud the most influential in the exercise OF
political power, if once organized, they have had
no paid lobby TO urge the consideration OF thelr
interests, CT 20 threaten political destruction 70
the party that has failed TO respond to their de-
mGucs.
Congress has shamefully ard cruelty, in the
legislation which Il has formulated betrayed their
interests assisted in prostratiug their industry.
aud heaped burden after burden upon them al
the demand aud under the dictatou OF naughty
arrogant and preteutions class, until al last pa
thence has ceased 10 be virtue, and YOU witness
for the first time powerful indignant and aggres-
sive movement OF this great agricultural class,
whose potent influence viii hereafter be lelt III
shaping the course Of Federal legislation
Il was once the proud boast OF the farmer mar
che who piows his land and tends cattle, spins
gold " but sir that in the days OF equal rights
10 ali, and special privileges 70 none; when the
voice OF the people was rejected Ia the laws mat
were enacted. before the influence OF Wall street
fashioned aud directed the financial policy Of the
before the party which now controls
the desrtes OF this country yielded 10 the banelul
influences which frst sought 70 qaiet opposition,
thea 10 convert and afterwards 10 guide ana con-
FOR 90 years the protected producers have dom
mated the legislation of Congress on al great
economic questions. Its aggresstveuess mas over
Gene ell obstacles, aud placed on the statute
books mos unjust and inequitable laws.
stimulated at last into vigor aud cuergy by the
Consciousness OF impending financial ruin, ms
great army Of workers has aroused itself TO
action. IL has formulated a platform, the hith
plank Of which declares;
believing in the doctrine Of equal rights to all
and special iavors to none we demand that tax
alton national or State, shall not he, to baiid up
one interest or class az the expense Of another.
We believe that the money OF the country snould
be kept as much possible IN the hands al the
people, aud hence we demand that all revenue,
state or county. shall be limited 10 the
necessary expenses. ofthe Government economi-
cally aud honestly administered"
The demand Of the people as expressed IN that
platform, and as heard through nominating con
ventions has at last attracted the attention OF the
Country. and we find already its influence mani
testing itself in the Federal halls OF legislation
A. Us power is more fully developed its influence
viii become more potent, and am satisfied thai
before long its voice will be heard. its counsels
Needed, ard its reasonable demands granted.
Mi President, the object OF this measure, when
considered in its effect upon the American iarmer
is most UBIQUITOUS. HIS appeals are heard with
contempt aud his interests are treated with
COO brutality that is the offspring Of unnatural
greed and unexamped selhshness, which finds
parallel in other period Of the history OF tarih
legislation.
The language Of the tariff commission in its re
port TO Congress apty expresses what VIII be the
popular Judgment of the measure now pending
before this body when its provisions are fully uu-
Excessive duties generally or exceptionally
high duties in particular cases discredit our
whole national economic system. and furnish
plausible arguments for its complete subversion'
II Is the means through which 9; GU seek to de
stroy the international commerce Of the country;
to build high the wall of exclusion aud non1n;eT-
course; 10 close the foreign markets to our ex-
ports -s24 per cent. OF which consists OF agricu-
tiral products: TO force still lower the price OF The
products OF the farm by compelling the producer
10 sell in the home market, already giutted with
his products, and 10 suffer an annual loss OF over
600 900 which heretofore has been received in
exchange for his products; for is It not true that
with no increase of production It would require at
least ten million additional population toconsume
the Weld from our farms9
The Republican party no longer aspires to he
national in its policies OF in its aspirations IL Is
content like its prototype the Tory party OF Eng
land. to rest its hopes for future power upon The
approval Of a small element oil The ciuZenS that
compose the population OF this great and rapidly.
expanding country. II is warmed into HE ana
yigor BY the flames Of sectionalism and VIII pass
from the Of national politics when the patri-
otto impulses Of the people OF the common coun-
try forgetting the bitterness OF the past shall re-
alize that their future safety depends upon the
enactment of laws that will be just III Their oper-
alton and equitable IN the burdens imposed.
Mr. President the contributions OF the farmers
10 the Treasury Of the Government; or 70 The cot
ferS OF the manufacturers, cannot be less, even
under the existing law that S;So,o 900 900 annually
This drain upon their resources l. gradually out
surely surrounding them with conditions that
will compel them to take advantage Of the bank
rupt law (which our Republican friendsare urging
shall be passed. to relieve the distress WHEN Their
unwse legislation is producing.
Mr.. President the year isoo VIII not soon be
forgotten by the agricultural classes The rex
essness Of the public servants OF the people IL
their efforts to pass the measure we are now coil
sidering united with the impenetrabe dispense
ton OF Providence. which is now bearing so
heavily upon hem in almost every section oi the
country, will sorely test their iorti,ude and shake
their confidence in their ability TO meet the I'M
pending losses which threaten them.
Prices have fallen; the seasons have been IN
Dropitious. Indebtedness has accumulated. Moth
ing sir, but that spirit Inherent IL tue American
has enabled him 20 overcome al natural
obstacles sud TO resist the influence OF an uvi>e
policy which for thirty years has made him the
burden bearer Of class of infant industries
The pet,ed and pampered favoFites OF Federal leg
station.
Mr.. President, knowledge OF the facts 10 which
have referred wi,l TO some extent q least ! Re
pare the mind for the startling Tcvtlatious dis
.losed by the official statistics Of the Government
,howiuC the gradual yet unchecked cvcliu" 81 tLs
lrricultural industry from the hour THAI the Re
publican party was placed III power aud Rrpub
lean Congress framed revenue measure. the
essential element of which was an unjust and M
equitable discrimination in favor Of the mauuiac
lred products OF the country.
From that period we can trace the rapid decll {
II the relative wealth Of the agriculturalist.
IL was bcue and sinew. honest toll and daily
,acrihcc competing ia the race fer supremacy
NTH the power OF aggregated capital stimulated
MO unnatural activity and unhealthy Gevelop-
iient bv the artificial encouragement OF Federal
legislation N the interests Of class In such an
unequal contest the result could easily be pre-
licted Fortunately We do not have 10 rely upon
prophecy The recorded facts OF history leave
iothiug to speculation. statistics show that the
.aIue OF the wealth of the country in 1850
yas S7,ooo.o 900. and Of this amounts the
Investments in the agricultural industry amount
a 10 g. 600 ooc 600 In period OF ten years under
purely revenue tariff. between 1850 and IN6o, the
-alue OF the wealth Of the country had increased
o SO 600 oco 600 Of which sum the farmer stu
,wued oue-haiC or 8. COO 600. coo. From 1870 to
SO a period OF twenty years Of high protection, |
he value OF the wealth Of the country had In |
reased to s4,. 6oo,s 90 coo. Of which amont the !
srmer owned but So 100 oSS.o4o OF a little les
han one fourth Of the wealth Of the country.