Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-01-14
HE GETS THE NURBIN.
AS FOR our GREAT PROSPERITY THE
FARMER is NOT IN IT.

Gone to the Transportation Companies
and tho MAmmfacturers--Ths ClOdhOp-
per Has Fallen Behind IN the Race.
At the beginning of this century 30
per cent. Of the populationof the United
States lived ON farms. and owing to the
high rates for transportation surplus
products had no market value more than
fifty miles from market town. Now
we have about 5.OOU.OOO farms. though
less than half of our people live on them.
and the value Of the property is esti-
mated at 81 / .0O0. 900 900.
Education, thrift and invention have
have added Is per cent. to the produc-
tive power of the people during the last
fifty years. and ON the whole one man
does as much work rs two men formerly
did ON farm. But has the wealth Of
the farmer increased proportionately!
His crops have not fallen off. though
their market value is less by 30 to 80 per
cent than it was dozen years ago. and
he ~ paying from . to 40 per cent. inter
est for the use Of money. which increases
IN value while the products of his farm
decrease. His taxes have not been less
ened. while his crops have but one-half
Of their former paying power.
INCREASE ~ LIVING EXPENSES.
Because man can now produce more
IN gwen time than formerly. when all
work was done by hand. his wages are
nigher. but other things over which ne
uas no control are more expensive. 81
the cost of living is much greater than
within comparatively recent years.
1t would be we'll to compare the contli.
tion of American farmers with that of
other men conducting great industries in
the country before determining whether
any efforts should be made toward aid
ing them.
In 1850 the total estimated wealth of
the population Of the United States was
81 LBS, 100. 22S. in 1880 it was said to he
ssH6. 900. O0O.OOO The aggregate develop
ment of railroading during the same pc
rod is stated by Mr.. Mnlhall. to have
heen $50 per cent: banking developed
HOO per cent. the number OF manufac-
turing establishments throughout the
country Increased 100 per cent. and the
value of the material used 800 per cent.
I'm 1850 our farmers owned over ~ per
cent. Of the wealth of the country. and
today they own less than % per cent. yet
they pay over eighty cents in every dol
lar that is collected in taxes. From 1901
tn 1850 farm values increased l0l per
cent. and from 1870 tn 1871 but per
cent. From 1850 to 1880 agriculture led
manufacturing by 10 per cent. in in
creased valne of products, and from 1870
10 $3.50 manufactures exceeded agricul
ture by q per cent. showing difference
/. IN favor of lhanufagturingof 81 per cent
The crops of the farmer cost him a.
much labor nav as in 1870. hut he re-
celves only from OnefUurth to One-halt
rs much for them Farmers now require
ten dollars IL purchase what forty years
uyo conld have been b.,ught with one dol
lar They are poor while manufactur
els and bankers and railroad managers
are rich, The wealth of the country il
fast RAISING INTO the hands of few per-
shns. and the poor increase ala-mingly in
uuinlers annually.
Z rHE NEvEK TIRING MORTGAGE.
But the most deplorable features ri
the farmers condition are the mortgages
on their homes ami the depreciation of
farm values; and M many tillers Of the
soil are overwhelmed with mortgages On
their property and are unable tn renew
loans lerausc securities are weakening
under the general depression. they are
annually becoming deprived of their
homes.
The position Of the farmer of the present