St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-02-04

Inc he'd ONE hCLlSG9TS
Suggested.
peciaI 10 the Globe.
WASHINGTON. FeD. Sin a report
Just submitted Ia The senate by Senator
PETER. of Kansas. On agricultural
Depression; Causes and Remedies"
there are letters from three we'l-known
Minnesota farmers, Hon. John L.
Gibbs, of Fgeeborn. Hon. II = Ike lso,0T
Kttson. aud Hon. Z. D. ChilIs. OF Polk,
in answer 10 Il circular letter seat 20
each hy the Kansas senator at the time
be visited Minnesota in the summer or
1893. Inasmuch as ali these gentlemen
are bona fde farmers their views on the
condition Of farming III the North Star
state and the matter OF railroad charges
and kindred matters, are OF interest.
Mir Kelso writes in general way,
while lie others answer the questions
as set down 10y Nj. PETER. IiS letter
follows:
Views OF Nj. E eIsO.
While there may be a lack OF intel
agent system and in cases Indifferent
cultivation. under existing prices OF
all farm products. other conditions IN
transportation. national taxation, none
tarv systems. etc. remaining in present
condition, neither superior skill, judG-
meut or workmanship can make Tie
farm return to lis owner & satisfactory
revenue.
With the decline in values the same
excessive freight charges are main
tanned; iGcidentalS, commissions,
handling charges. arbitrary gradings
rather increase. National taxation
through the tariff, state and local eXac-
tiUrs fer public purposes, all Increase;
a monetary system By which the farmer
is removed from the center of distribu-
ton and is the largest interest payer,
while giving, generally, the best Sc
cur!ties.
favor an extensive inland water nav
igalion system under national control
and ownership, a radical reduction Of
the tariff, placing raw materials On tie
free list, monetary system based on
a standard that VIII give the same the
same the entire confidence Of the DeO-
PIE, also that Of the other nations Of tie
weird, yet elastic enough 10 supply all
legitimate requirements at tate the
same is lie older countries enjoy
do Eot regard the statistical work of
tie department of agriculture as being
OF any value 10 the producer. Tie pro-
fessional Spectator is its beneficiary.
The selling OF futures l regard as Civ
iGS an unnatural, unhealthy and vio-
lent.y Auutuaiing nariei.aEd not based
on amy system Of sound business. 1t is
the great Monte Carlo Of The United
States.
am farmer, living on my farm and
engaged in 10 other occupation what
ever.
Farmer Gibbs Out o Politics.
Farmer" Gibbs does not agree with
tile sage OF the upper Red river valley
as 10 Tie effect OF dealing in options aid
futuIes. He expresses himself as fol-
lows eli that point:
Il am not in accord with most farm
ers on this question. 1 think futures
ana Options hold up and steady the
price Of grain, etc. DO away with fu-
lures and options and the farmers
wCuid be the l0sers.'
In his letter Mr. Gibbs claims that
lands mas G risen in value SOME $40 per
acre during Tie past few years, which
he indicates is due to the fact that the
farmers have gene into pGrk raising and
Gairliug. But this letter is so Interest,"
ing. especially in its references to the
political hopes Of the Freedom farmer
statesman, that 1t is given almost in
full, as follows:
Butter ana Kegs.
IF farm lands have risen in value,
when dId the rise begin, and what
caused II?
Answer-The rise has largely taken
place during the past three years. l
think The political agitation during the
past few years has been ul sucL 4 char
aC,er is 10 Gail the attention OF tie pfO-
pie 10 The Tpal condition OF the farmer
and tie people have not been slow TO
perceive that farming Is tie Uest-Day-
ing business in the United States. Aiso,
think thai the wise administration OF
President Harrison had lis effect. Dur
ing his administration the labUung men
Of the whole country, in all cnanuels OF
iudustry-ou The farm and in the shop
were working full hours and receiving
COED WAGES.
Have the values Of farm products in
your states fallen in recent years? 1t
so. when did the fall begin. what was
the cause OF it, and what articles fell
m0sl?
WeT-Ihe dairy product was never
better than at the present time. The
Log market is also good; better Than it
would bu 4 the foreign market had not
been opened TO Us. HE wheat product
Is very low; perhaps OVerprOduction is
tie cause. There has been but little
change IN CtAcr products OF the farm
during the past few years.
If mere has been Use in prices of
farm products. when DID it begin. what
caused the rise, and what articles rose
EOsI?
Auswer-Butter and the hog have
risen iii price somewhat during the
past SIX or seven years. This is prob
ably owing 10 the increase of popula-
lion. Tie towns the WOrid over. The
CONSTRUCTS have Increased IN greater
rati0 tLan production.
Are the wheat and corn raised by
YOUR farmers ErOund at neighborhood
custom mills. as formerly? II nor, how
so they procure their -four and meal?
AusMeT-The grain Is generally sold.
Some farmers exchange grain for -four
and meal. but this custom Is going out
Of practice. Farmers ike the best that