The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-10-18
LIVE ISSUES.
Omitted from the Report.

Hatcn, OF MISSOURI, on December
10, 1894.
Mr. Hatch (by requesD submit.
ted the following, which was refer.
red to the Committee on Agricul.
ture:
Whereas, current market prices
of the principal agricultural staples
have declined to about half theil
former rates; and are sold, in many
instances, at and below the cost OF
production; and, Whereas, such a
condition must tend to the elimina
ton of the Independent land owning
farmer and his replacement by a
dependent peasant tenantry, which,
unless prevented, will not only
prove detrimental to agriculture
and the kindred industries, but
also to the perpetuity of American
institutions; Therefore, Resolved,
That the Committee on Agriculture
of the House of Representatives be,
and are hereby, directed to inquire
into the causes of the depression OF
American agricultural staples and
the relative condition of agriculture
to the manufacturing industries,
and report the same to the House,
with such suggestions as they may
deem proper regarding the differ
ences or inequalities if any exist. so
far as they are caused by legisla-
ton, or as legislation can remedy
them. Beg leave to report that
they have had the same under con-
sideratiOn and report it back to the
House with the following conclu-
sions; Hearings were begun on
December 10, and continued from
time to time until February 20.
The widest publicity was given to
the fact that the committee was
anxious to secure the most reliable
information as to the causes of the
depression that exist among the
agricultural classes, and to receive
suggestions as to the best, surest,
and SwifteSt methods of remedying
the evil.
There appeared before the COM
mittee at the various hearings gen
tlemen of national reputation in the
agricultural world who stated their
views and suggested various rem
edies, whose opinions and sugges-
lions are herewith submitted. 1t is
unnecessary for the committee to
enter into or dwell upon the fact
that agriculture is depressed in
every branch of this most important
industry; that the values of land
and farm surroundings unless
under exceptionally rare conditions,
or in the immediate vicinity of
growing cities and towns) have de-
preciated steadily as the purchas
ing power of the dollar has increas-
ed. But while the value of prop
erty owned by the American farm
ers has decreased in thirty years
from nearly one half of the total
wealth; in 1860 to less than one
fourth; in 1890, of which 30 per
cent is now under mortgages
taxes have steadily increased, and
debts now require four times the
labor to be paid off that was then
required. The purchasing capacity
of the dollar to secure the farmers
land and his produce has increased
fourfOld, While the power of his
products to pay his taxes and debts
have decreased in proportion.
Without dwelling further upon the
deplorable condition of the founda-
ton industry of our country, the
one upon which all other industries
depend for maintenance and pros
perity, the committee turn first to
'the causes of the depression" and
in following out this line of investi-
CATION do not hesitate to assert that
the chief causes that depress the
agricultural interest of they care
due to pernicious Legislation"
(Class legislation of the worst char
acter encumbers the statute books,
and has been carried on to the Diet
riment of agriculture and its de-
pendent industries for thirty years
eliminating in the crime of the age,
the decentralization of silver in 1873.
The demonstration of silver was a
bold stroke in the interest of capital
that has reduced the value Of every
product in the world. This is con
clusively proven by the fact that