The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-10-27

Edited by John G. Edgar, DuvaI, to whom AL
communications for this column should be ad-
| dressed.l
Farmers as class, are commonly
considered chronic grumblers, and
am not prepared to challenge the YER
dict. But If guilty ofthe charge, they
can at least fairly plead extenuating
circumstances.
The very nature Of their occupation
places them under influences beyond
their control, which no amount OF
wisdom and forethought can regu-
late. This applies particularly to the
laws Of nature. The hest laid
schemes of the farmer based
on life long experience
and the teaching OF science can be
demorilized and smashed to smith
Greens by cold wave, a cloudburst
or dry season, when moisture is es-
sential to plant growth. Such "visi-
tations of Providence" may not justify
grumbiing, but they supply an excuse
generally considered sufficient by fal.
len humanity.
But the farmer has some real griev-
ances which he bears with "Christian
fertitude, rarely complaining but
humbly bending his back to carry the
burden. In thus he exemplifies the
contradiction inherent in human
nature. He vigorously kicks
against the inevitable and calmly
submits to evils capable of remedy.
This phase of his character Is exhib-
tied when no grumbles about the
weather and its evil effect on his
crops; while he supports candidates
for public office whose acts are more
Injurious to his interests than any
climate calamity. OF course all can
didates profess to be animated by
desire and determination to serve the
farmers interests regardless of their
own, but their actions don't always
work out that way, however good
may be their intention. Laws get on
the statute book that are partial In
their operation and the action of the
executive is not always impartial and
for the public veal.
These reflections occurred when /
remembered the protests that have
been made against employing convict
labor where it will compete with the
free article. Every trade organization
in the country is prepared to, and
does, successfully oppose convict COM
petition, but the farmer allows 1t
without kick. 1t would never do to
employ cOnvicts as stonemasOns or
bricklayers, carpenters or cUblers,
that would be subjecting honest free
labor to unfair competition, and 1t Is
not done. The poor ill-paid members
of these trades could not live against
such competition. But as employment
must be found for ]awbreake rs "serv
ing their term" what 30 natural and
proper as to turn them into farmers?
1t Is true this brings them into com
petition with free lator, and that they
are employed to produce crops already
in excess of the demand, which tends
to lessen values; and then the farmers
are wealthy and make their money
too easily anyway, and can stand the
competition.
Such at least, would seem to be the
opinion of Governor HOgg who not
only encourages the development of
the state farm for the production Of
cotton, corn, sugar, ETC., but has re-
fused to receive the income due to the
state from the sugar raised on the
state farm. If anyone is in doubt about
Hogg's upfitness for governor, this
one act should dispel IL and call for
his retirement. l am opposed to both
state and county farms, but II our
voters compel us to bear the burden,
we have right to demand that they
shall he conducted at the least posi-
BILE cost to the taxpayer, and that the
income from the produce raised there
ON shall be paid into the state or coun-
ty treasury.
This has not been done during
Hogg's administration solely because
of his pigheadness. Among
other things produced on
the state plantation is sugar,
According to Federal law this state
was entitled to receive from the United
| States government the sum of $44 ,00C
as bounty for sugar produced on our
farms last year. This amount was
duly rendered to Governor Hogg fol
transmission to the state treasury and
was refused. About the same amount
will be due on this years operations
and to be consistent, Hogg must again
refuse the sum OF $4,000.
4 This refusal Of $4,000, may be Q
very trifiing matter to q man built or
such liberal plan as Hogg, but they
must be not only wealthy, but very
weak-minded and Open-handed citi
zens who will indorse his action.
fail to see how any farmer can approv'
his conduct In this matter.
/ Here Is a case where the farmer
should kick and kick vigorously.
II e@Ne