New-York tribune., 1895-02-01
THE CONDITION OF NEBRASKA
DISTRESS IN FEW COUNTIES DOES NOT IMPAIR
THE STATES GENERAL CREDIT AND


PROSPERITY.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
sir In my business stay OF some six weeks IN
the Eastern cities OF Pittsburg Philadelphia hos-
ton and New-York have been periodically shocked
by startling statements I'm your Eastern papers OF
the great poverty and suffering Of Nebraska and
it is for the purpose OF somewhat correcting the
idea that has gone out that take the liberty OF
addressing this communication 10 you.
IL is true that the year 1894 came and has gone
without leaving "A crop 10 speak Of: the first
failure save one OF grasshopper scourgc In thirty
three wears Whnt State in the Union has been
blessed? What corporation or Individual can
boast OF such a period Of prosperity In their bust
ness career?
Now. az TO Nebraska in general. few OF your
readers doubtless are aware OF the size OF this
great commonwealth. one can travel some q"
miles In a straight line and be in the state all
the time. 1t Is much larger In area than Penn
sylvana and can take in New-Jersey and TWO or
three OF the New England States besides Another
thing three-fourths OF her population live east
o. a lire drawn north and south across the state
lc miles west OF Omaha, while IN area three
fourihs OF the State lies west OF this line. And.
again. three Of the largest loan ana trust com
panies and the one that connected with.
operating In the mortgages o. this great common
wealth OF Nebraska, have always confined their
operations 10 this territory have descrihed Nlns
east OF this imaginary line and comprising some
iwenty-six counties The rest OF the state. taken
as a whole. cannot De classed a. tho; o;oughiy ie-
liable in moisture soil. and with the exception
OF i've OF six counties. IS very spdrseli setti'l.
There are millions Of acres OF land In this district
that need irrigation 10 bring reliable yearly rc-
turns. and this sact should be continually aglated
until legislation ami capital forced to Join
hands anl solve the problem o; Western Ne
braska. Kansas and colorado. The soil Is in The
main all right
This state Of ouss l. rich and fully capable o'
Ing AF
nations outside There are many h'artrend1ns
scenes In her western portions and some even Ia
the garden spot 0. her territory. but know from
observation that there are more 's~cs Of absolute
destiiution night here la The city OF NeM-loiA
| alone than In the whole State OF Nebraska.
Your correspondents article ln Fridays issue.
followed by your editorial OF sunday. while both
were written FOR the hesi ot motives DO us NOR NOR,
iOr they give your readers IN" WfOns impressions
the resources of the State and It's ability Ia
obIiraiions We do not want any sympathy rhi.
is the first time in three decades lnat Ne lid not
/ moving out Of the state. We cart is"o more votes
90 !, Stat. I'm Tovemh.r last fhan =. dil In the
! Presidential election t"o years ago. II II III"
! renter and The very Western farmer ihat picks up
/ and moves out Populism l. dead a. = state issue
/ With loss Of annual crop that nets her
! farmers aud merchants Sso.oJlu.i. people OF Ne
mHrisare ind~bie,ime-s In me last eighteen months
BY upward of N6cp.co You viii aways ind the
/ calamity howler. and In the West hc takes IN the
poor shifiess farmer and forms a partnership
| We cali them Sidewalk Fafmers.' Instead OF
sowing and reaping. they 10 10 the villages and
suggest ~ cheap politicians ways ana means Tor
| running the Government
could name four OF our largest loan companies
/ who hold upward OF 400 mortgages, and they
1 have to-day less than i15 under default and fore
I closure. This speaks well and tells tho whole tale
az 10 the general good financial condition OF the
| state
| In closing wish To- state also that n matters
are a crisis as TO our poor our Legislature now
in session, will not be allowed TO remain In *
norance OF the fact, and Will appropriate literally
for it's own fellow-countrymen.
While calling al the First National Bank o.
your city Yesterday prompted to write this
article after having my attention called TO the
editorial OF Sunday. and trust that you will give
IL space that your readers will know that there
| il one Nebraskan at least that is calling for
bounded credit and resources.
THOMAS H. MCAGuE.
New-York. January %. 1876.
| (rhe foregoing letter agrees in the main very
I closely with the articles to which IL ostensibly
! takes exception. Our correspondent In Nebraska
laid special emphasis the fact that the State
as n whole was In good condition. and that the
! eastern part OF 1t highly prosperous. Our
| own comments certainly made II clear that the
| present distress was confined to few counties in
| the southwest corner OF the State. and that only
irrigation was needed 10 restore permanent pros
| perity 10 them. Nebraska is unquestlonaby one
OF the richest and most progressive of the West
| crn States and il would he absurd for any 10
attempt TO decry its resources or is credit.-Ed }