Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1890-04-24

Where is the taxed farmer, whom
the wicked protective tariff grinds
down to the dust of the earth, accord
ing to the shrieks of the free traders?
The Brooklyn Times has been sending
inquiries to farmers in Long Island,
asking Cor information about their
prosperity, the value of their lands,
the effect of the Mckinley bill on
them, and in general what they need
most urgently in order to improve
their condition, In total of eighteen
replies received, not one, not soli-
taiy one. contains any specific com
plant Of tariff taxes" on clothing,
agricultural implement, or household
supplies.
Any farmer who felt oppressed by
''tariif taxes had first rate chance
to get up and ''speak out in meeting"
in answer TO the fifth question, which
was: xviii the changes in the tariff
on farm products, proposed in the
Mckinley bill, have material influ-
ence upon the profits OF farming in
Long Island2 But even IL he had
thought it to be impolite to mention
duties on other things than farm pro-
ducts in answer to question relating
entirely to the agricultural schedule,
he was cordially invited TO state his
grievances in answer to the SIKH
question: "What reforms are most
urgently needed to improve the con-
ditions of farming on Long Islandp
Almost without exception the re-
forms that the Long Island farmers
grievances. Four of them demand
cheaper railroad rates; four want bet
ter country roads; two want the mid
dleman restrained; one wants the
single tax; two want more equal d.
vision of local taxes between real and
personal property; one wants equal
tariff or no tariff at ALL" one further
refor us in the tariff" including free
sugar and bounty; one wants more
faith in farming and more economy.
and another, more economical living
by farmers; and there are scattering
votes for better cultivation, less acre
age, more fertilizing, more young men
brought up to farm, more schools,
better enforcement of liquor laws, and
the study of conditions that offer a
market for new kinds of crops. Sew
eral OF the farmers rather fight shy OF
the tariff question, except as to the
agricultural schedule of the Mckinley
bill, and excuse themselves on such
pretexts as "have not time, and cam
no politician" Evidently they have
been told by the free traders that the
tariff is a wicked tax on them. but
I they are not conscious OF being op
pressed by IL, being much more dis
posed to attribute such troubles as
they have to railroad freights and bad
roads.
l lie ldFiucTS ScPin 10 WANT tue nome
markets much more than the foreign
markets, and perversely refuse to con.
firm the jercn aids of the fee trad r.
9 Some of them. no aboubt, have read
THE PRESS, and know that clothing
I and tools are as cheap here under pro
lection as they would be abroad; thai
: Canada, with the same tariff against
4 both countries, imports many more
! farm supplies of almost every kind
from us than from England; and thai
E America manufactures so large part
' of the worlds supply that, according
even TO so eminent free trader as
DAvID A. WKLLsif our manufactorie,
were shut up the prices of all iron and
} steel products would actually go mp,
I The Reform Club will not be able tc
make much use Of the views Of Ions
} Island farmers as a free trade docu
sment. NJ Y. Press