The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-16
KANSAS MORTGAGES.
The Brilliant Scheme of Political Farmers
Not Likely Result IN Benefit.
oh;

The Brilliant Scheme of Political Farmers
Not Likely to Result an Benefit.
Philadelphia Inquirer.
While the agricultural politicians of
kansas are amusing themselves Dy devils
ing schemes of sudden wealth, to be pro-
duoed by means of the printing press and
distributed by act of Congress. the plain
farmers continue to be bothered
with practical mortgages, which must
be met and renewed, rs we'll as
by financial famine which the
familiar mortgage device presents as yet
the only means of satisfying. But the
politicians have created such an alarm by
their wild talk that the prudent men who
are in the habit of loaning money on mort
cages have become tlmid and are by no
means 80 willing toilet the Kansas farmers
have their money as the farmers are to
give them mortgages, and the EN- barrass-
ment OF the situation 10 beginning to be
severely felt.
The Farmers Alliance however, has come
to the rescue. The Alliance has coDsti-
tuted itself the protector. defender and
champion general OF all the farmers pollt-
zeal and agricultural. and 1t consequently
feels bound to help them in every emergency
1t realizes that the present trouble is one
not to be dealt with by means OF platforms
and protestatlons. 1t is q business compli-
cation. and the Alliance is preparing to
meet il in business-like way. tits forming
q sub-associatiOn within itself. which will
act as o financial agent for the farmers and
will secure mortgages for them-provlded
they have anything worth mortgaRing. 1t
will examine not only their titles. deeds
and court records, but also their lands and
their crop prospects; and the examination
will not be a superficial one, because TO be
of any value to it's beneficiaries the asso-
clation will have to guarantee the repay
ment of their loans. and self-protection will
require it to make sure that the collateral
offered is sufficient for security.
The scheme may be = brilliant one from
an Alliance point of view, but il does not
strike us as very promising for o party
whose only hope of success lies in Its ability
to convince it's members that tits political
Utopia. Its patrons will have to pay heavy
interest on the money loaned under it's aus
pices, and one of its chief principles Is oppo-
sition to usury. 1t will have to foreclose
mortgages that are not paid at maturity.
and large part of its stock in trade 10 de-
nunciation of the money sharks who take
away the poor mans land after they have
spent his money. The unfortunate mort
Gageor. when the time comes for payment
and the Alliance presses him. because 1t Is
itself pressed by the mortgages. will be
cure to call 1t q swindle and 90 declare that
il has been bought up by the capitalists
and is no longer the farmers friend. And
then what Will become of its plan for car
rying the country by the aid of the farm
ers' votesi
This very practical lesson should teach
the farmers the difference between business
and politics and the imposslbIllty OF turn
ing aside the fixed laws of trade an0 fin
ance. Possibly il will do so In tho course
of q few years, for il will take them at
least that long to comprehend that their
series of misfOrtunes are not contrived by
the money power for the purpose of annoy
ing them while enrichIng itself, but in the
meantime, il is to be feared. their folly will
involve them In a terrible amount of suf-
ferlng, especially in the improbable event
that the Alliance shall succeed in foisting
its crazy financial and political schemes
upon the country.