The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1894-05-19
FARMS AND FARMERS.

FARMS AND FARMERS.
Democratic orators have for some
time past attempted to arralgn the
farmers of the west and south against
the protection policy, because, as they
claimed, they are taxed for the benefit
of the manufacturers of the east. Tnsy
never mention the Fact that high
duties are imposed on agricultural
products from Canada, and these form
important items in the markets OF the
United States. But Mr.. Edward At
kinson, the Democratic free trader, in
the May Forxns, publishes some statis-
/ tics regarding the farms Of this coun-
try, which is edlfying reading matter
to those who imagine the farmers are
the most oppressed class in the nation.
His facts and figures are drawn mainly
from the census of 1890, but he veri-
fed the census figures by private in
vestigation of his own continued over
five years and by consulting the reports
of LABOR bureaus in many states. The
basis of Mr.. Atkinson's conclusions Is
the census bulletin giving the mort
gage Indebtedness for the decade from
1880 to 1889, inclusive, in thirty
three states and territories. 1t appears
that in these states and territories on
January l. 1890, only 34l7 per cent
of the real estate mortgages outstand.
ing, or a little more than one-third,
were on acres, and even OF these a
good but unascertained percentage was
on lots just outside of towns and cities
that were held for improvement. Of
this money raised by mortgaglng the
farm, 77.38 per cent wss borrowed for
the purchase or improvement of the |
land and more than per cent more
for the purchase of durable personal
property, and that only 2.82 per cent
was borrowed to meet farm or family
expenses. Another significant fact
brought out by Mr.. Atkisou is that in
twenty-five states in which the statis-
tics of farms and homes have been
completely analysed only 32.09 per
cent, or less than one.third, are under
mortgage or incum orance of any kind,
and that 68 per cent were absolutely
free of debt.
Another gratifying fact made clear
is that there is no basis for the fear
that the system of tenant farming is
gaining foothold in this country. In
twenty-five states, mostly the older
ones, and where the tenant system
would be most likely to show itself,
80 20 per cent are hired and 67.70 per
cent are occupied oy the owners A
large percentage of the hired farms are
by the sons Of the owners or
by former employees where the growth
Of population has warranted the cut
ting up Of large farm into several
small ones So instead of indicating
the growth of tenant system it shows
better and more intelligent methods of
larger and more varied
crops produced from lessening areas Of
and. 1t is encouraging to know also
that the farm mortgages are owned 80
argely in the states in which they are
made. "In l02 typical counties selec-
ed from all portions Of the country for
he purpose of special investigation
~ the census authorities, it was dis
closed that $3.50 per cent of the
mortgages incurred were held by
'itizens of the same states in which
he mortgaged real estate is
The leading fact developed by this
Investigation, Mr.. Atkinson says is:
There are within the United States
.564.64l separate farms, averaging 6
bout 1877 acres each, of which in the 6
astern, western and Pacific states 80 {
'er cent are occupied and managed by /.
heir owners. Far more than, one
lalf these farms are free of any mort
age whatever; the rest are mortgaged
or far less than half their value" His
ther conclusions are: "That the
lrger part of the western farms cul- |,
waited by owners are free of any l,
,ortgage whatever; that the western Ii
armers are creditors Instead of debt q
RS; that the burden of farm mort
ages is very light one" H.
From these facts and figures it will a
9 seen That farmers are one of our b
lost prosperous3 classes. and that they y
re ina far better condition aud are g
ss incumbered by debts and mort n
ages than mechanics and the owners q,
citv lots tL