The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-02
CAUSES OF LOW PRICES.
HARD TIMES ON THE FARM, AND
WHY THEY ARE so.

The Department of Agriculture Tells
What Is the Matter with the Industry
How Prices Have Gone Down - The
Cheap Wheat of the Century-A Slap at
the Demagogues-An Exhaustive Exam
ination of Am Important Question.
The Department of Agriculture Mt
Washington has prepared tho following
authoritative statement upon the subject
of Agricultural Depression and Its
Causes"
There is almost universal complaint among
farmers of all nations OF the prevalence OF low
prices. The agricultural depression OF Great
Britain has probably been more severe than
that OF any other nation. potent cause i'm
this case is the competition from all parts OF the
world. unrelieved 10y any TAXATION OF imports.
France and Germany are somewhat disturbed
by similar complaints of unremunerative rural
industry. Italy has also had occasion 10 make
official investigation of the causes OF agricul-
tural depression. Other countries are vocal
with similar cries OF dissatisfaction with the
proceeds OF agricultural labor. So the trouble
appears To loo general in monarchies and re-
publics, whether the monetary circulation is
gold, or silver, or paper, and under the iniu-
ence OF various and diverse economic sys-
TENS. Not all countries in the samo
depths OF distress. In ours farmers and farm
laborers are doubtless better fed and clothed,
able 10 maintain niger style Of living, and en-
Joy more OF tho benefits OF civilization and
culture than those OF any other country. 1t
may be- said with absolute truth that in thirty
years tho scale or living has advanced sely
I'm this country. not equally in all sections. but
manifestly everywhere. There Is n tendency to
extravaganza in town life that has been imi-
tated IN rural circles, and the natural ambition
for progress and precedence, when generally
aroused will express itself in dissatisfied ion
with prevailing conditions and n determination
10 overpower all obstacles To advancement.
This is n hopeful sign. IL is an indication of
conscious dignity IL IL n prophecy Of progress.
WHY THE LOW PRICES.
While, therefore, our own country feels the
oil n II a
most any other In tho world the reduction In
prices of most staples and in domestic animals
and their products forces IA disagrecable COM
parison with ayr Iltural values at their high
est, compels reduced expenditure To keep the
outgo subordinate 10 income, increases the
number of unfortunates who cannot make both
ends meet, and reduces the profits OF the enter
pTising and skillful who are still able to strike
balance in their favor. RetrenchmeIt is not an
agreeable alternative and is therefore delayed
until its compulslon is imperative aud perhaps
destructive. ~The times" are universally re-
garded as -hnrt" In comparisC with more
prosperous eras of the past. II matters not
what the prices of implements, utensils and
fabrics, of goods desired by the farmer. have
been reduced proportionally; his interest nc
count, II he has one, is unrcduoed, ald his
mortgage Is a greater burden TO lit. He sighs
for the good old days OF high prices though th' Y
may have Doen war or famine prices, neces snrily
temporary, and though they may have been the
source Il extravagnnt views, unnecessary ex-
penditure and the foundation OF his present in
debtedness He naturally resents and deplores
What are the causes of low prices?
They may be various. but the prime cause
Is the operation Of the ineXorable law OF sup
ply and demand. Abundance leads Inevitably
TO low prices: scarcity, TO high prices. With
either there are huctuations-a see-saw of
prices which increases cost and reduces profit.
Medium and uniform values are, therefore, best
for the farmer
THE INCREASE or PRODUCTION.
There has been an increase OF production in
this country even more rapid than the in Gre
ment of population. America has long bCel
a synonym of plethora. Her peOuls probably
consume more than those of any other nation,
and have u larger surplus OF foreign II scds
immigration has been heavy and unrestricted !;
railroad building has been stimulated until an
empire OF new aud productive lands has been
ops ned, and these lands have been given nd
libitum 10 settlers OF native o: foreign birth.
Speculation first and prof able utilizatiol after
ward have been the motive for settlement and
development which has astorished the worl |
aud caused oyer-production and low prices.
The following statement shows the increase i 4
thirty years in certa II products Of the farm as
reported by the census: