The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-05
FARMERs AND THE TARIFF.

Sheehau were enusive In their oocuna-
tions.
rARMERs AND THE rARIFy.
Does protection build mp manufac-
lures at the expense Of the agricultural
sectionsl
Cleveland claims that it does. and in
suits the intelligence Of American
farmers by spreading the tidings over
the country that when he attempted to
unbosom himself on the subject in his
famous message they "did not under
stand" him.
The Democratic House is apparently
of the same opinion or, more probably,
thinks the opinion plausible enough
for q campaign theory, for 1t listened
favorably to the suggestion that COM
mittee be appointed to investigate "the
causes of the present depression in
agriculture" though, as the event
proved, it was too busy buncoing the
Worlds Fair and swallowing its dis
appointment over the issue Of its in
quiry into wage rates in protected in
dustry at Homestead to take any action.
The Maine Farmer, not fully appreci-
ating the inefficiency OF the majority
Misunderstanding but quarrel, consid-
cred the idea seriously enough to make
the suggestion that 1.-THE work OF this
body should be to determine whether
there is depression" Farmers Of en-
terprise, tact, skill and business capacity
are generally prosperous" it said. "If
the farmers of Kansas, after having their
farms given them, hopelessly mortgaged
the same for machinery and teams with
which to grow and harvest their crops,
is that depression that the Gov
ernment is responsible for? II the
farmers of New England and the East
are so blind and so sluggish as as still
run In the deeply worn ruts Of former
generation, is that depression? II the
superabundance of productive land to
population annually brings forth crops
so bountiful that bewildering surplus
remains above the wants Of the people,
can we call that depression9 Cranks,
croakers and political bummers we shall
ever have with us, but in no sense are
they fit subjects for Congressional in
vestigation."
This is a strong, clear and true char
acterization of the demagogy that would
go out into the highways and hedges
drumming up discomfort for the sake of
getting possible partisan advantage.
And the source from which it comes is
gratifying. The farmers remember the
Free Wool bill and the wholesale reduc-
tions in the agricultural schedule of the
Mills bill too well to take much stock in
the specious arguments Of the free trade
+" reformers.
But to the facts. What has been
the effect Of the Mckinley tariff on the
agricultural interests? The report of
the Senate fiuance committee presented
through Senator Aldrich estab lished be-
yond cavil decline in the cost Of living
coincident with rise in the price of
agricultural products. The farmer of
to-day, irrespective of the figures
brought by his crops, can buy with
an equal number of bushels of
grain or pounds of meat, more
and better clothing, machinery and
household supplies than ever before, be-
cause the cost of clothing, machinery,
etc., has gone down. He can do better
han this, for he has more money with
which to buy these lower priced sup
plies. The unanimous report of the Re-
publican and Democratic members of |
she Senate Committee fixes an average
advance Of 1888 per cent. in the prices
IF farmers products except fax seed),
between September /, 1889, and Sep
,ember 1, 1891.
He can do better than this even. Not
,nly will the same money for the same
crops buy more, not only will the same
,rops sell for more, but larger crops find
! reader market, for by the operations of
he reciprocal clauses Of the act of 1890
he farmer gets broader and more