Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-07-30

responding period ana uudrf w
same laws other interests nave pr.i
| The report insists that under the low terln
of 1876 agriculture enjoyed its greatest
prosperity. and holds that the more re-
strictiye and prohibitive the trade Win
other countries has been the worse mas ag-
rcuitHre Jared. The result OF the pronloi-
tive tariff has been topreiudice European
nations (our best buyers) against tbe
| United States. and in the retaliation when
followed agriculture was dealt an irrepara-
bic injury. The American farmer now
compelled TO sell his products IN direct
competition with the pauper and slave
| labor of Asia aud Africa. labor which man
| ages to subsist on wages averaging less
than 80 per month.
The report presents statistics showing
| in the United States between 1870 ana
! 1880. and the decrease in the values OK
farm products from 1870 20 1888. notWith-
standing the increased area under culti-
yation: and by way of contrast gives
figures showing the large increase IN Dank,
| ing capital and surplus from 1870 70 1871
| and the increase in railroad and telegraph
earnings.
THE RECIPROCITY FRAUD.
Dealing with tho subject OF reciprocai
| trade relations. the report says that per-
| hans the himsiest and boldest attempt 10
| deceive the farmers is the scheme OF re-
! ciprocity as meant TO be put IN force Win
| Central and South American countries. IL
argues that, nearly oil these countries oe-
| ing agricultural. any reciprocal inter-
| change with them cannot be ofadYanthge 10
| American farmers. Our trade in whea.
I with countries with which IL Is noI
nroposed 10 open reciprocal rela-
| lions amounted during the zen
months ended April 80, 1892. 70 more
than AGO times as much as with those Ia
which il is proposed to place our agricui-
| tural products by this system or reel
procity. go called. The great 6uik OF Ine
| agricultural exports nov hnds market
| III Europe. notwithstanding tne poilcy Vi Vi
| the tariff is 20 break up all trade tela'ion7
| with this country.
| If saws the report, il is meant to advance
! the interests Of agriculture by reclprocal
| arrangement the test OF sincerity would DC
| 10 include European countries IN the ar
rangement. these being the natural con-
| sumers of agricultural products.
The report presents the following stase-
| ment to show the increase % indebtedness
on farms and homes in the States named
| from 1890 to 1883 Alabama, SlO.795,99L
Iowa. 81 1896 .S97: Illinois, SA. 1921
Kansas, Sj7,355, $50, and tennessee, Sl5,-
| 534 654. -,
In conclusion the report SAYS that 1t VIII
be seen that while other interests nave
profted by and prospered under the pro-
tective system, agriculture has suffered q
decline.
THE MISoRITY's VIEWS.
Mr.. Funston. of Kansas. presented Z
| minority report which saws the tact tha'
the Democrats IN the House. having a
majority over the Republicans OF l53, are
able to adjourn without having made any
effort TO repeal the Mckinley tarln law,
| shonld settle the question as 10 whether
or not in the opinion OF the majority ol
the House, the law Is wrong and opres'
| sive. -
That the agriculturalist is having marc
time. the minority say, no one VIII as
pute, but we cannot, however, look pacs
! to any better times, or 10 any hait so gooo
| excepting, Of course, war times.
Bearing on the subject OF mortgages
the minority deny that the large mortga@,
| indebtedness of the West IS the result oi
any special economic system. except So
far as money ha2 been made plentiful, and
| therefore easy to borrow.