The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-01-25

present prices before he can expect any
profit. Over production is the principa
cause of our present condition. | haven't q
doubt but that this average of II bushels Of
wheat, % bushels OF corn and ~ bushels OF
oats, the average of the United States fol
1889, was produced at a loss which, financl
ally, seriously affects, with few exceptions
either directly or indirectly, every man.
woman and child in this country.
| Sd Question. the farmers take less or
more interest than formerly in economic
discussions?
| AnStCer.-More, but less than they should.
We want more farmers clubs. We want
more earnest thinkers, and ~ MI, Arm
strong, of Baltimore, calls it "less mental
Incidence
4h Question.-What effect does the tariff
have on their condition?
A,ssUer-I believe the tariff benefits the
farmers, but probably in an indirect way
Free trade would be less disastrous to far
mers than other industries. However, the
question can be much better answered by
Messrs. Cullum and Carlisle. I have read
the discussions of Messrs Gladstone and
Blaine Mr.. Gladstone would be satisfied
| to do all the manufacturing for this country
and allow us to furnish England what grain
she may want at ruinOus prices +" the far
mers. But Mr.. Blaine don't agree with him.
No one will deny that the United States owes
its present magnitude to protection. We are
not ready for free trade, though | would be
willing to vote for it 10 day to have the
matter tested. | believe ii would settle Mr..
Frank Hurd and his followers. Tie agita-
ton of the subject by Congress does much
| to unsettle values and di5arraIge business
and 1t is high time we had our revenue
| laws, IN manner permanently settled. L
favor protection and immigration of all
kinds of niius rious people from all parts
of the globe, and believe our country under
these conditions, would prosper. | consider
| that our national legislation in regard to
the Chinese race has been d!sgraceful and
cowardly. have great hopes for civil ser
vice and think that the present type of poll
ticians is the greatest drawback with which
this country conteLds.
5th Question-Will IA bushel of wheat or
| a barrel of corn buy as many necess .ries Of
life as it would 30 years ag?
AnSlCer.-More necessaries than il would
thirty years ago, but the cost of producing
this bushel of wheat or barrel of corn is
much greater than 1t was 30 years ago.
9th Question. -Have they gained OF lost
social dignity, AS comp,rei with other
Answer. They have los. nothing, but re-
tain the same RESI- ecrable standing rs class
which they have arways occupied.
7th QuestiOn.-Do farmers sons show any
less willingness than formerly to become
famers? If so, why?
AnS1cer.-In answering this question L
have had no personal experience, but from
observation 1 believe there is less inclination
to leave the farm. Farmers are gradually
making home more attractive and are be-
ginning to realize that the fool of the family
will not he the successful farmer of the fu-
ture. He may answer very well for a law
yer, preacher, doctor, editor or Congress-
man, but for the farm we want the bright
est boy and that boy educated.
Comment ON the answers being in order
Mr.. Bond moved that Mr.. Magraw read
the questions al answers seriatim, for
the purpose of discussion by the members
of the Club.
Upon the reading of the first and sec
ond questions and Mr.. Carson's reply
thereto, Mr.. Noyes agreed with Mr. Car
son that the present coalition of farmers
in this locality and generally was not as
prosperous as it had been aud thought
that he had understated rather than ex-
aggerated the adverse conditions under
which the business of farming was being
conducted for if the mortgage on farms
were foreclosed throughout the County,
few farmers would escape financial ruin.
MIR. Wilson also endorsed the correctness
of Mr.. Carson's answer to the second
question.
Mr.. Bond agreed with Mr.. Carson, and
thought the point stated by Mr.. Noyes,
that if farmers were under present bust
ness conditions pressed to the payment of
their debts, they would be hopelessly
bankrupted.
Mr.. Joseph Coudon thought that the
embarrassed financial condition of Eas-
tern farmers was largely attributable to
direct competition with the west, al
though the monopoistic prices paid by
farmers for necessities had much to do
with the condition.
Mr.. Mccullough agreed with MIR. Car
son in his general statement of the ques-
tions considered.
Mr.. Henry S. Coudon thought that al
though many political economists thought
to the contrary, he still believed over
production was largely the cause of their
embarrassed condition. He frankly con-
fessed he did not see how the remedy OF
restriction of production could be ac-
complished because unlike the manufac-
turers there was no co operation or gen.
eral unity of action among them, nor
could there be.
Mr.. Magraw thought with Mr.. Coudon
that the want of CD operation among far
mers prevented the regulation of the
quantity of agricultural products. He
thought that it was to the interest of
farmers to deal directly with the con-
sumner so far as practicable.
Mr. Duyckinck confessed himself per
fectly inf ormed as to the depressed con-
dition of the farming interests, but
equally in the dark as to the remedy for
the condition. He knew that the farmer
was troubled to find market for his pro-
ducts, but whether this was directly
owing to over production or not, he would
not undertake to discuss.
Mr.. Waters thought that intricate
financial questions unlaid this condition
rather than over production.
The correctness of the reply of Mr..
Carson to the third question, was en-
dorsed by the Club upon motion of Mr..
Bond.
| Upon the fifth question Mr.. Henry S.
| Coudon moved that it be passed on ac.
count of the conflicting opinions of men,
bers of the Club upon the shhject of the
tariff, and want of time for intelligent
discussion.
| Tho Nlrh nv upta andprSad ha onrrpot