The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-09-06
VOTES AND CROPS.
some of the CuriOsities of Democratic
Reasoning.

some OF the CuriOsIties of Democratic
Reasoning.
A political fact which most over
look is that the south has one crop and
the west has two. Eminent demo-
Gratis are congratulating themselves
that reviving business will revive
democracy. This may be called femi-
nine politics. showing a sweet lack of
logic, charming propensity to reason
with the affections, and delightful
indifference TO facts Since demo-
cratic defeat last year brings better
times, obviously better times must bring
democrats success Since good crops
at the west take the life out of popu-
lism, the short cotton crop at the south
must have the same effect there. The
cotton crop is IN value half the entire
product of agriculture in the cotton
growing states. The corn and wheat
crops of the northwest are together
more than half its agricultural prod
ucts in value, the two being worth
about double the cotton crop. When
cotton is short the south suffers. When
either wheat or corn turns out badly,
the northwest usually has in the other
crop basis for encouragement and
| business.
Populism in the west was to a great
extent the outgrowth of crazy land
speculation, but failure of crops was
the immediate cause CT the outbreak
in 1892. The corn yield dropped quar-
ter, and the wheat yield a sixth, ac-
Il he
year The loss fell most heavily on
great corn-growing states, and the
pressure of debts incurred in specula-
tive times made discomfort intense.
But cotton fell the same year from
over 1000, 900 TO q, ZOO, 900 bales, and the
loss and ruin at the south were rela-
lively greater. The democratic party
promised TO do everything that pop
uliSm proposed, and by that means
with control of ballot boxes held its
ground. Last year disgust with demOc-
racy and it's broken promises was
widespread. The story of overwhelm-
ing defeat need not be repeated. But
the democratic hope is that good crops
will restore confidence and power to
the men who were disgracefully pun
ished for bad faith and iucapacity in
1894.
The corn crop is very large, but the
wheat crop small. Out of the two the
northwestern farmers will get more
than they did last year, and have rea-
son for encouragement. According to
all accounts, the discomfort called
popuIism is disappearing, and farmers
in great number have learned that the
republican national policy was best for
the whole country, and therefore for
them, because their products cannot
command good prices unless the cOun-
try prospers. Wool is seven or eight
cents lower than il was before demo-
cratic success, and the farmer knows
L. Prostitution OF manufacturing in
Iustries has so far reduced the markets
that farm products have for years COM
nanded phenomenally low prices, and
the farmers are not anxious for any
more democratic years Their votes
tast fall expressed their desire for
return to the republican policy. and
the hopeful revival of business which
gives them better times and prices is
one OF the many evidences that they
were right
The situation at the south is quite
different. The cotton crop was cut
Down. in the first instance by the ac
ion of many planters who saw that
.here was no market in the world for
1 crop of g. 700 900 bales, and therefore
reduced their acreage. But with l1.6
per cent. less acreage and yield per
acre as good as that of last year, the
crop would still have been over $500.
BOO bales, a little more than the world
Eas ever consumed. Instead, unfavor-
able weather has so far reduced the
yield that many operators are predict
ing further loss of l.5O0, 900 or 2,OOO,-
200 bales. Whether they are right or
aot, it Is clear that the output per
acre as well as the acreage will be
short. This means for the south an
other year of trial and disappointment,
which democratic prophets imagine
viii somehow help their party.
Il is curiously democratic reasoning.
Men of common sense would infer that
the party of discomfort would gain
ground at the south, and that con-
sinued losses and the breaking of all
democratic pledges would be resented
by transfer of many democratic votes
to the populists. Of course, the demo-
cratic managers know best. They con-
troll the ballot boxes, and in the
states where free elections are not
permitted may be able to hold offices
regardless of popular hostility. Still,
they have been beaten il some southern
states already, and their claim that
good times and good crops will help
Them sounds much like whistling
through a graveyard.-N. Y. Tribune.
CURRENT COMMENT.