The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1891-10-30

That the farmers have not received any
thing like their Just share Of the benefits
which lie with the central government to
dispense, has been a source OF increasing
complaint with them. and TO this cause
may be attributed the extravagant 1e-
mands which Of late they have been In
dueed TO make. Leaving out of account
the enormous appropriations for pensions,
which is sectional rather than clsss legls-
lation, no one can deny that during the
last thirty years Of republican rule the
moneys In the treasury have been dis
bursed very largely In the interests of the
commercial and manufacturing classes.
while but pi,tance has been given to the
agrieuiturists, who pay nearly half OF the
taxes and deserve like proportion OF the
benefits Of taxation. .
OF course the farmers derive some ben
eft from the appropriations made for the
direct benefit of cities, but they have a
right to demand appropriations Tor their
direct benefit. For example,in the matter
of postal facilities, the peope Of the rural
districts should enjoytprivileges some-
what like those enjoyed by the to~nspeo-
pie. No matter II like service cost twice
as much as In the cities. Even without
the post office city people are kept con-
stanty informed of the state OF the markets
and the news of the day through the daily
press, but the latter Ia practically unavail-
able to the farming population becsusc Of
their poor facilities for receiving nall
matter, Thus they are debarred from a
great educational privilege, which 1.-THE
OF the tariff tax would place within their
reach.
In an article by. Postmaster. General
Wanarnaker In the American Agricul-
turist he says Il Is true that the "village or
crossroads inhabitant, or dweller on the
tarm, chooses his home for his family and
might live In the city,where gas aLd water
and mails are brought to hIs door," This
Is as tallacious reasoning as II he were to
say that the entire population might dwell
In cities II they preferred to do so. II 10,
simply a necessity u.at at least half the
the population should iii the soil and live
In comparative isolation. by the farmers
hard toll the people OF cities are enabled TO
live in comparative case, and they ought
surely to be willing that such privileges as
the free delivery OF mails should be ex-
tended to them. The postmaster general
has taken the right side OF this question
end his recommendation ought to be fla
vorably received by both parties In con-
gress.
Another move In the right direction has
been made by the secretary OF agriculture
who proposes, now that he has the signal
service under his control, to extend the
benefits of II to the farming population.
Ibis can be done by means ot,he ,elegIaph
and railway trains. without gres, add
,lonai expense It can be arranged so that
signals will be displayed a, every railroad
station and from every train, and every 10.
como,ive's whistle Can be brought into the
service too.
Such privileges As these are but the
simple rights OF the farmers. The farmers
alliance should advocate these rights and
many other means cf amellora,lng khe
farmers condition. Outside of politics. and
largely outside of congress, the alliance
car do great deal ,owarl advancing the
farmers eonditIon.-TT-ses UAion.