The Louisiana populist., 1896-12-18
KANSAS IRRIGATION.
HOW TO CONTINUE PRODUC-
TION IN THE STATE.
Some Thoughts and Comments Inspired
by Present Conditions and "a Unique
State

farmers appears TO be peculiarly des-
perate. But, perhaps, a leavening cir
cumstance attending their situation is
that certain coupon clippers who have
In the past lived at the expense OF their
victims are involved in the ruin which
threatens them. 1t is not because
misery loves company" that the farm
ers OF Kansas are to be congratulated
upon the fact that their impending ruin
will certainly carry with it the ruin OF
certain bond holders and mortgage
makers. but rather because of the value
of the lesson which the mishap to the
latter class will carry with IT.
But to understand fully the cond.-
tion referred TO, read the following cir
ular letter addressed 10 certain bond
holders by the county attorney of Bar
Der county. Kansas:
Il address you as one OF the holders
Of the bonds of the county. There has
long been a feeling that the county
would never be able to pay these bonds
and the time is near at hand when We
cannot pay even the interest. Our peo-
pie have no inclination to repudia,e
anything they owe. There now rests
upon us. In all probability. an obliga-
t!on to meet these bonds and our only
desire is TO make such terms as will
rebound to our mutual advantage and
profit. Our valuation has decreased
over $500. 900 since 1888 and our popu-
lation. at one time over 5000, has de-
| creased to trifie over 5000. / would
call your attention to the fact that the
total county Indebtedness is 1857 900,
while he addition of our city and
school bonds makes it about 5000 .O00
or one-fourth the valuation OF our
| county. Our assessed valuation is sup
posed to be one-third Of the real val
uation, but that is not correct. Our
personal property is assessed at one
half its real value, while the real estate
Is assessed at much more than it will
bring on the market to-day Much of
our land is assessed at 81 and $3.50 an
acre. which will not sell for so cents
an acre. 1t is offered at that, and as a
matter of fact not much mas been
| taken.
"Of course We have some better land,
and as this county is mostly range land
| 1t rents for $40 quarter section, or for
little more than half enough to pay the
taxes. Some Of 1t rents for only IS
and $3.50. The taxes are paid in a con-
stantly increasing proportion, year by
year. Probably more than one-half IS
paid by non-residents who have taken
our land under mortgage foreclosure.
and this accounts for the fact that our
taxes have been paid so well up to date.
But some land has already been aban-
doEed. and they only keep 1t at a loss.
Besides this. many of our citizens are
letting their lands 60 for taxes and
have reached point where many think
II is better 10 be renter than a land
owner.
But there is another thing. The tax
sales this year are for 1888 pieces and a
large number OF town lots. and the
greater part Of them went without bid
ders. These land notices are for tracts
averaging 120 acres. making a total Of
| about $4,000 acres. while the area of
the county is 712.sO0 acres. Add to
these conditions the fact that many
foreign owners will soon allow their
lands to go for taxes and you will see
the condition In which We find our
selves.
Can you wonder how our best farm
ers are saying: How long before the
whole burden will fall on us? We must
simply abandon our farms and save
what little personal property we can
"A heavier tax levy would result in
mere abandoned farms and the sale Of
more property for taxes without rails
| ing any more money for the county.
| or the $500 cases on the court docket
since 1888, 1,74S are foreclosure sales,
while many farms have been given up
without litigation. Few farms that are
unincumbered remain and as we are
constantly cut short in our crops and
the prices therefor, universal gloom is
settling upon our people.
"Our condition is this: More taxes,
less value; less value, higher rates;
higher rates, personal property leaves;
personality leaves, population goes;
business stops, the land is yours, and
what will you do with 1t?
"As our people feel now. most Of us
are talking of the time when we will be
able to leave, and as the burden of tax
alton increases, every man of good
sense and judgment who cannot avoid
| taxes Is bound to leave. A propertyless
population will be left and the bonds
which are now depreciating will be
valueless."
] 1t is not impudence, but evidently the
recklessness of utter despair which
prompts the question closing the next
to the last paragraph: THE land is
yours and what will you do with it?''
Truly, what would they do with it?
these white-handed coupon clippers
II the hard-handed Kansas farmers
I oiva thu nusiuesa I'm ag had tOb A,