Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-01-07
The Agricultural Situation

Hf a - t'it1AssDhs
One Of the most learned and philo
sophical stables Of the agricultural sit
nation Is that given by Hon.J Z Dodge,
the distinguished sta,istician Of the De,
partmsnt Of Agriculture contributed to
the January number OF The Century
Mr.. Dodge's article Il entitled, THE
Discomfort OF the Farmer" and the
spirit in which il IL written appears to
be that of a perfectly fair and judicial
man who views from an elevated posi-
tiou Of intelligence and facts, the whole
wide extent Of our vast agricultural ter
ritory, Is acquainted with all the In
dustries, needs and desires OF
our farmers, aud able to gen
eralize in a broad, mastery manner
from the multitude Of Isolated facts IL
his possession, and in so doing grasps thf
whole situation Of the American farmer
East, West. North and South, notes tbs
causes of his discomfort and finds aban
dan. cause for rejoicing that things ar'
no worse than they are.
Mr.. Dodge shows that the present dis
content, or in other words the disconten'
more apparent year ago thar
under the larger crops and bette
prices OF the past fall, began
to operate in the distant past, growing
in importance with the growth Of th'
country, the development of its indus
tries and the evolution OF its civilization
The precipitating influence, or ''las
straw" WAS Of course the severe depre5
sion Of prices which found IT'S owes
level in American agriculture in 1880
The most impulsive and aggressive
smong the agricultural community
sough. relief from this depression il
prices, mainly In political action
In an increase Of monetary circu
lation. destruction of national banks
free coinage Of silver, the issue of bondi
at nominal interest on security Of crop
and land, and similar measures foI
eheapening money and making it abund
ant in every mans pocket not after tht
manner OF Franklin. Another class
more conservative, favored some increas,
OF currency and larger coinage o
silver under regulations consistent with
parity in circulation of the two metal
on an equitable bimetalic basis; anC
still another clsass opposed any infa
ton which should disturb values ant
cheaper the quality and purchasing
power of money. Amid the contortion
OF these classes there was another, chief
found among the-most progressive ant
enterprising OF their class, who woult
admit Of no depression, or that they hat
any special grievance or had suffered
from 'hard times "
Analysing these several condition
more minutely Mr.. Dodge finds compar
atively little discomfort among the rura
classes Of the northern seaboari states
The wild financial schemes of the Yves
and Southwest have been generally op
posed in that section. 1t is true the Eas
has felt sense OF injury at Western
competition, and railroad competition
instead of cheapening the cost of trans
portation appears 10 have had the ef1ec
of increasing it. In the great Ohio val
ley farmers have been prosperous ant
cOntented, while on the Pacific coas
there has been a grievance Of the grow
ing ranks of middlemen and thei
grasping for 2 larger share o
the values handled. Thee and otheI
local causes OF discomfort are treated
by Mr.. Dodge In very calm and abl'
manner.
In conclusion Mr.. Dodge finds that
review Of the subject in all its bearings
is by 20 means disheartening to farmers
The depression from low prices whict
intensified and brought to light the ex
tent and variety of discouragements
realized, is mainly over for the present
Generally the farmer is prosperous
though he certainly fails to secure his
full share In the rewards of his pro
ductive labor. lie is entitled to fair
consideration in such remedial measures
FOR his protection az may be possible
under our form OF government.
In analysis Of material coming before
the writer, there have been omitted, al.
most entirely, the views of many of the
most progressive, enterprising. and in.
fuertial of the rural class, presenting
as the most serious grievance the absence
of effort to find remedies for existing Ills
In practical improvement in farm man
agement, in cooperation to control the
distribution of their products. Regret:
have been expressed that the personal
equation in this problem OF rural reform
has been omitted Two quotations will
indicate the views presented, both from
the Southern states. one west Of the
Mississippi as follows;
= -hiilt Iat tAttuu III
practical agriculture of the State and
good opportunities for observation lead
me to assert that farming. industriously
and intelligently followed, offers as
good Inducements for the capital, labor
and skill expended as does any other
calling in the State
The other from the Atlantic coast
mo real practical efforts are made for
relief. All the complaints made and all
remedies proposed are political Many
of the former are absurd. and most
of the latter will prove futile. We
need smaller farms. more work,
more knowledge, and less grumb
ling. What can be done on small tracts
highly fortified should be brought
home to the people, so that the iAex
perienced may initiate, even before they
know the reason why.
The farmers OF the nited States liz e
under better conditions for progress in
their srt-a high standard OF living, ad
vance in personal culture and soil i'm
provemeut, and pecuuiary independ-
ence-thsn those of airy other coun
try. Aspirations for higher improve.
ment, equitable sharing in the results o.
productive labor, and full exercise OF
the rights OF citizenship have been
aroused. With wisdom in action for
political recognition. for advance in eco
monte education, for cooperation and
selt-help, and for increase of practical
skill and pecuuiary profit, the results of
this crusade will be highly beneficial TO