Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-02-05
Staumtots Speftaiot.
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 5 1890.
Agriculture and Commerce.

which has been submitted to the Leglsla-
ture, asking for the creation of Board OF
three Railroad Commissioners, and adj
vanced, as we think, the rational conclu-
sion that there is no necessity for creating
more offices or increasing the public ex-
penses in that respect. The Office of Rail
road Commissioner was created about
filed since, and 1t does not appear in what
essential the three could effect more for
the public service than one has done. We
cited then that in SO far as seeming or
real conflict had arisen between the trans
portation lines and the commerce and
travel at certain points, all such matters
had been satisfactorily adjusted by confer
ence between representatives of the inter-
ests concerned, without resort to the Rail
road Commissioner. That article was
scarcely in type before another instance Of
similar importance ard directly referring
to the unloading of cars arriving at their
destination with hay, was also adjusted by
conference. In all these matters, our
agricultural interests were deeply con-
cerned and conference between them and
the railroad managers brought about a
satisfactory solution of the trouble. But
it is unnecessary to 60 over the same line
of argument again. The prime reason for
this movement, involving large expendi-
ture of money without corresponding bene-
cit, is to improve the prices from the low
figures at which our staple products are
selling. In every case in which the
charges of transportation may appear, or
really are, excessive, we have both the
Commissioner and the agencies that have
sen sufficient for any trouble that existed
previously, and will prove SO again; but
with all these things righted ss they may
occur will be but mite of the relief from
the depressions which affect our agricul-
turs. The charges upon inland trade,
even if brought below an equitable rate,
would bring but comparatively little relief.
The natural law of supply and demand is
at this time really governing the prices OF
bieadstuffa, meats, dairy products, and
forage to greater extent than has been
the case during the last ten years. The
trouble is found to exist in these facts: We
have been increasing our production and
losing our markets. Enlargiug the supply
and lessening the demand, are operations
in trade which s5on cut down the price Of
products below remunerative values. Not
many years ago, the Uaited Kingdom,
and many of the purchasing countries of
the Continent, as well as the West India
Islands, Brazil and Central America,
bought largely of breadstufs from our
States, shipping at Atlantic ports. 1t is
quite different now, though the demand
has increased in purchasing Countries
Countries that not long ago were rated as
semi civilized, with agriculture the least of
the pursuits of the people, have come to
the front with annually increasing energy
snd are now producing surplus of bread
stuffs, and filling not only much Of the
original amount of demand which it was
the part of the Uoited States to do, but
have cut US off from the increasing de-
mand.
National legislation and the National
administration in conducting the relations
of this country with foreign countries, have
the power, and, with the will, can gradu.
ally bring US out of the depression to which
their inactivity and the want Of a proper
policy have subjected the grain and wheat
growing interests of the United States. II
our National Government will continue to
neglect four agricultural interests by con
tuued failure to open communication with
foreign purchasing looking es-
pecially to such countries as new or en-.
larged purchasers for cur surplus, it will
only be question Of time as to when that
interest will fId the blighting effects OF
decay at it's vitals. The policy of high
protection, making the people pay exces
sively for many Indispensable articles,
thus breaking down foreign intercourse by
keeping out competition, cuts two ways
Retaliation is the result, and our surplus in
breadstuffs and provisions is Disseminated
against upon that justiiable ground-tbus
making the farmer pay more for what he
luys, and sell for less than would other
wise be the case his surplus products
Senator Vance has said that every interest
except the farming sends its representa-
tives to Washington for the purpose Of pro
noting their interests. At this very time,
when depression prevails in all the grain
growing interests because of limited mark
cts open to our country, the dominant
party in Congress and tie administration
are schemipg in what manner the Southern
people may be more harassed through
their ueurped authority to inflict such
evils. We ask of them peace and the op
portunity to add still larger wealth 10 the
country, which it is within their province
give, but they scoff at our opportunities
and mock at such preteusions.
The young wheat-growing country of the
Argentine Confederacy, which has just
risen to the pride Of an exporting country,
has procured on government account
twenty -four large steamships, twenty of
- which are to be employed in opening trade
with Europe. Now contrast that single
feature of commercial enterprise on the
part of the Argentine government with an
actual occurrence in our own country. In
1888, there was but one steamer sailing
under the American flag engaged in carry
ing wheat from our shores to the United
Kingdom or the Continent. 1t is very
plain that the general government, which
is in CHARGE of our foreign policy, is de
linquent. When this state of things is re
versed, then we may expect to see better
times for our agricultural interests.
The Legislature has heretofore exhausted
all its ability to make agriculture more
prosperous than it is. The Board of Agri-
culture the Agricultural College and Ex-