The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1890-08-23
Democratic Nominee
FOR CONGRESS---lTH DISTRICT.
NEWTON C.. BLANCHARD.
OF CADDO.
Farmers Fallacies.

In writing under the above head
we are perfectly aware that we will
be Immediately confronted with
that stubborn opposition and repro
baton held in reserve by a large
class of our farmer friends, to be
poured out on the devoted head of
any and all who have the hardihood
to think and argue against their
pet theories. Nevertheless, as O
journalist alive to the interests of
the whole people, and being as
fully interested in the farmers
welfare and success as are they
themselves, we shall claim and ex-
ercise the right to discuss their
theories and plans for conducting
the machinery of government.
In the outset we would remark
that all of our sympathies and in
terests are locked and interviewer
with the farmers of this country,
and our discussion of any and all
subjects is always based upon what
we conceive to be our mutual inter-
est If we err in our views we
shall be happy to be set right No
man should ever be ashamed to
own that he has been in the wrong.
for this is but admitting that he is
wiser to-day than he was on yester-
day. And no man can consistently
claim, or hold that he is perfect and
right III all his views.
This is remarked by way of pre-
face to our idea that the farmers
pet sub-treasury bill is failure
at least, in its present shape. Now,
don't understand us to oppose all
the farmers measures, for we have
no opposition to any of them ex-
cept this one, which we claim to be
fallacious and unfeasible, if not
unconstitutional and undemocratic, |
as is held by some of our ablest
and best informed statesmen.
The sub-treasury bill, as we un-
derstand it, authorizes the estab-
lishment of sub-treasuries and gov
eminent warehouses, in which farm |
products, oats, corn, wheat, cotton
and tobacco, may be stored, and on
which the farmer is to be allowed
to draw 80 per cent of its value,
with the further privilege of having
his produce held for him for a
period of one year, and allowing
him to take advantage of the best
prices to sell it during the twelve
months interval.
To this plan the first difficulty
that presents itself is that of deter
the value of the produce,
SO that 80 per cent of the amount
could be arrived at. The next OBJ
lection is the great cost of building
warehouses, paying keepers, weigh
ers, agents, accountants, bank Of
icials, etc, which would far exceed
the expense of any of the systems
for the sale and exchange of pro-
luce now in existence. Another
FAULT is that even if it we're possible ,
10 increase the prices of farm pro-
lucts by this means, the increase
,ould not benefit the agricultural
lass, for the reason that the raisers I,
" corn, wheat and oats would find {
heir interests antagonized by the {
increased value of cotton goods,
While the cotton planter would have
iced for the increased price Of his
otton to pay for his bread and meat
nd the clothes he wears. Again, =
he $4,000 clause in the bill ).
makes it applicable to less than =
of the counties in the i,
United States, while in Louisiana g
My three or four parishes could Z
AXE advantage of its provisions. g
mother bad feature is that it gives a
u undue advantage to the farmers n
yer other classes; one-eighth of s,
he people being fostered at the ex- ii
ense of the balance, it is therefore ia
aco lorrso 10 kson IS A. ~-o~ck 1901 ! -