Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1896-09-22

f%:@s - = rs. ~. :
to, no dirt will stick to Mr.. LON
men. We predict he will.get his
share Of votes IN Kandiy obi Co.
the Bird Of November next. The
peoples party made no mistake
in nominating Mr.. Lommen for
congress. a.: e: - -
+ ... q. .=..= G. j..
DlsTR1BUT1oN}o:F WEALTH.
.LoGANsPoRT, IND.-Is it true
that the population of the coun-
try, that is, those engaged in the
occupation of farming, is out
mum bered by those living in
the towns and cities? Is it true
that at one time IS per. cent of
the wealth Of the country be-
longed to the farmers, and Is per
cent 10 those living in the cities
and incorporated towns, and that
the condition of things has been
reversed under our. system of
government. The question that
l part icularly wish information
on is this: Has the wealth of the
farm ers decreased and the wealth
OF those in the cities and towns
increased? Ifso, to whatextent?
JOHN SMITH
According to the eleventh GEN.
sus, taken in 1890, the whole
number of persons engaged in
agriculture in the United States
in 1890 was 8,449,348 or 1888 per
cent of all persons engaged in
gainful occupations. The num-
Der engaged in professional ser:
vices was 944,33 or 4.15 per cent.
In domestic and personal service
4,370,577 or 1918 per cent; in
trade and transportation 8, 1926, 122
or 14.63 per cent; and in manu-
featuring and mechanical indus
tries 5,09l,203 or 22,39 per cent
of the wealth of the country be-
longed to the farmers and so per
cent to those living in cities and
incorporated towns. The pre-
sent distribution of wealth, as
shown by the eleventh,census is
as follows: Total real and per-
sonal property in the United
States $65, 037, 091, 197. The total
value Of all farms was SIS. 279,-
052,649, on which were mort
gage encumbrances to the
amount of S1,085, 996,96O. The
live stock on farms, farm imple-
ments and machinery amounted
to $2,703, 015'040. From this it
would appear that farmers owned
in 1890 somewhat less than Is per
cent of the entire wealth of the
country. The farmers pay as
interest every year'on mortgaged
farms the sum Of. $76, 728,077
The farmers are finding year by
year that the number of dollars
they have to payin interest and
taxes remain the same, while it
is taking, year by year, more of
their products to pay their an
nual interest and>~tax. Under
the single gold standard the val
ue of the dollar, measured in
farm products, is stsntly in
creasing, and the agricultural
classes are being ground to pow
der between the upper and neither
mill stones Of debt. The value
of ali incum bered farms in 1890
was So, 054, 1923, 1865; the amount of
encum brances on said farms was
81, 085, 995,960, J being over 3333 per
cent. The value=of farms under
the single gold. standard is con
stantly diminishing, while the en-
cum ORANGES remain the same,
and tits only question of time,
until the encum ORANGES will quail
the value: The farmers however
have only thems selves to. blame
for their present condition;
Forming such a large proportion
of the total pop ulatio ion. as they do,
they can By their vote determine,
which financial policy shall pre-.
vail during the. next four years.
IL they want scarce money and
Still lower prices for their pro.
ducts they Should vote for VIM.
Nc Kinley and the single gold.
standar IS they want an ade-
quatez Volume Of money and fair
living prices for their ducts.
they should vote for W "a Bry.
anand gold and silver bi-me tal-
ism 3toud Hines
IHE MAIsrHl S IiEHDLU.