Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-07-23
The Farmers Condition and the Remedy
fnr II

The Farmers Condition and the Remedy
for it.
The greatest obstacle in the way of
the prosperity of the farmers of Amer
lea is not the lack of special legislation
in their favor, but the fact that for a
number of years legislation has been
chiefly ''class legislation" intended to
benefit the manufacturer and capitalist.
To our mind, the present condition of
the farmer, and the proper remedy is
illustrated by the mule and his sympa-
thizers. The mule was loaded down
with heavy load strapped on his back
and had been driven from early morn
ing until midday, when fainting with
fatigue he stumbled and fell to the
ground and was unable to regain his
feet by his utmost exertions. In a short
time a number of persons gathered
around him, and began to propose var
ious remedies for the mule. One pro-
posed dose of paragoric in order to
sooth him; another dose of whisky in
order to stimulate; and others advised
a large quantity of oats. After the
various remedies had been tried, the
poor mule was still unable to arise.
Finally an old farmer came along and
said, "Why, you fools you, don't you
see what the trouble with that mule is?
He is held down by the heavy load ON
his back. Cut the girths and let the
1 off I,n I,o c1l >.;~,
This was done and the mule immedi-
ately arose and was found to be as
sound as ever.
Now, the farmers of this country have
been saddled with heavy load in the
past, and have been staggering under
it until they are-in many cases-on
their backs. And now we hear many,
who are sincere friends of the farmer,
giving advice on the situation. One
cries, lover production" and seeks to
give dose of paragoric, to induce the
farmer to produce less, in order that he
may get better price for what he does
raise. Another advises him to bestir
himself and work harder, and thus
produce more. Still another comes
along and says, 1--WE must have more
and cheaper money in order to help the
farmer along" Their proposed reme-
dies, like those proposed by the mule
sympathizers, must prove futile, while
the burden remains. The true remedy
is to strike off the burden. Ii the
farmer produces less and gets a better
price for what he does produce, he will
not have any more in the aggregate
and if he is stimulated to produce more
than there is maj ket.<or, he will be nc
better off; and if money is made
plentier, it cannot permanently relieve
him, if he continues to be saddled witt
his heavy burdens.
| While the farmer Is taxed, not only
to pay his fair share of the expense Of
running the government, but must alst
pay the bondholders' share; and a still
heavier tax, to the mill men, in the way
or heavy duties on almost everything
he uses, he cannot hope to arise. HI
is down because of the heavy load OF
taxation imposed on him. in the inter
est of mill men and the bondholders
and will remain down until the burdel
is removed.
The Farmers and Laborers' Union
of Key tesville, Missouri, have the righ
idea. In a recent meeting they de
clared as follows:
II We urge every farmer organization
in the United States to make the tariff
question as we have set it forth til,
main issue, and when that hindranc,
to our prosperity is removed, to turl
, our attention to free coinage and tn,
currency question.
If all farmers organizations will
unite to secure the removal of tn
heavy load they will succeed. Th
farmers can then get on their feet, an,
can fight with better hopes of success
for reform of the nations finances. L
is best to remove the obstacle first
Lake Charles, La, American.
IT will require I20, 600 freight cars
| each holding 80, 900 pounds, to NOV,
the Kansas wheat crop. If these car
were placed end to end they wouf,
stretch over q distance twice as grea
as the width of Kansas from east t,