The Coconino weekly sun. [volume] (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 1891-1896, 1895-09-05
CROPS AND VOTES.
Some of tho Curiositics of Democratic
Reasoning.

the west has two. Eminent demo-
Gratis are copgratulating 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.
craSc defeat last year, brings better
times, obviously better times must bring
democratic 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 crcp 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
nets 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 a basis for encouragement and
business.
Populism in the west was to great
extent the outgrowth of crazy land
speculation, but failure of crops was
the immediate cause cf the outbreak
IN 1892. The corn yield dropped n quar-
ter, and the wheat yield sixth, ac-
cording to official figures, in the same
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 100000 to G.700. 900 bales, and the
loss and ruin Mt the south were rela-
lively greater. The democratic party
promised to 10 everything that pop
ulsm 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 disgraccfully pun
ishcd for bad faith and incapacity 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
populism 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 it was before demo-
cratic success, and the farmer knows
it. Prostitution of manufacturing in
dustries has so far reduced the markets
that farm products have for years com
mandcd phenomenally low prices, and
the farmers are not anxious for any
more democratic years. Their votes
last fall expressed their desire for Il
return to the republican policy. and
the hopeful revival of business which
gives them better times and prices is
were right.
The situation at the south is quite
different. The cotton crop was cut
down, in the first instance by the ac
ton OF many planters who saw that
there was no market in the world for
Il crop of 0. 200. 900 bales, and therefore
reduced their acreage. But with ll.6
per cent. less acreage and yield per
acre as good as that Of last year, the
crop would still have been over 8, $780,
600 bales, little more than the world
has ever consumed. Instead, unfavor-
able weather has SO far reduced the
yield that many operators are predict
900 bales. Whether they are right or
not, 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
will somehow help their party.
1t is curiously democratic reasoning.
Men of common sense would infer that
the party Of discomfort would gain
ground at the south, and that con-
tinued losses and the breaking of all
democratic pledges would be resented
by n 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 in 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.
CB-The present tariff law has begun
operations on the Pacific coast. The
California cotton mills, which paid out
over o million dollars in wages within
the past twelve years, are about to re-
move to Japan, as there is no profit for
them under the democratic tariff. ia
pan offers splendid inducements, in
Guiding exemption from all taxation
for twenty years. Democratic tariff
laws always build up industries-in
foreign countries.-Toledo Blade.
C5S" Before the democrats attempt to
prove that the return OF prosperity is
due to the fact that Grover Cleveland