Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-19
THE TENANT FARMER
THE DISPOSITION TO MOVE on THE
FIRST OF JANUARY.
The observations of n CoIored Phi
Iosopher-Hoy lie Makes the Boss
the MiddIe-Man Between Himself
and the storekeeper.
Correspondence Of the Dispatch.)

iIOTTeSlOHutAl0t VI the DlSidNNnsV
ALTON, VA, January lin agricul-
tural districts a fever Of unrest burns
within the small farmer and the colored
.aborer the first OF each January that
s not excelled by the fury OF New
Yorks perpatetic population on May
Day. For whatever cause there is a rapid
increase of tenant farmers, and de
crease Of small landowners. Low prices
for farm crops have tended to continue
this annual evil of moving from place to
place, with hope. of course, for better
conditions When a farm does not pay
the farmer thinks that it Is either for
lack of cultivation or OF soil fertility. 1t
Is no use to question the value OF his
work, for that goes on from 'sun up TO
sun down." from the first day Of January
TO the 2ith day OF December, inclusive,
as the rotation Of crops demand. And so
he moves Along the highways. often In
bleak, cold weather the big wagons 90
by Ike prairie schooners. loaded with the
household goods. the wife and children
crowded on top about the bedding, aid
the cradle-always the cradle-lashed on
behind.
lHlS IcSllcooucbS ID NV btNNNNN tAN~N
sons of toll are a disconnected people.
Not on this broad earth is there an easier
going race than the farmers OF America.
Dickens might easily have found his
Mark Tapley among any OF them. Per-
haps herein lies the reason-they are too
easy. The better informed farmer knows
that he has been crowded TO the wall
with class legislation. The big farmers.
small farmers young workers, and horny
listed old man, each knows that the bur-
den OF taxes necessary 10 run his gov
eminent has been borne by the farmer
without reward, and that, without COM
plalnt. each produces his share OF the
country's wealth to make the rich richer.
He also knows there Is a wrong some
where, and that he has little, or no voice,
ln the nations councils TO right IL. ana
that while he deposits his taxes with the
infexbility OF death. millions OF dollars
are appropriated and he does not get even
so much as a decent road to haul his
produce. perhaps, to losing market.
We'll" says a small farmer near here,
who has Just settled In bis new home for
the next year, Il know when l rent
land that I'll clear my taxes"
He Will do more. because he Will proba-
bly, feed his family; but as to saving
money 10 buy a home, he had might as
we'll be q Russian moujik. His landlord
looks out for the taxes. and II this larger
farmer has weathered through the years
OF toll and tribulations and raised q
family OF study sons to help him-"down
on the farm, boys"-he is all right. II
not. between the devil and the deep sea,
OF being able to secure white labor when
he needs It, or OF employing negroes,
who live upon his place, he has little
choice.
But the colored man is all right all the
time. He hobs up at the end OF each
fiscal year, sleek and saucy.
heard the views n. an old-time darby
the other day. AMI thy sized up this
phase OF the labor question In way
that would turn the 'Syttators' gray
with surprise 49,
"You see," con sed -~,-le Isham, de
fust ov de year an mighty hard on Mig
gers. De boss. whar | done rent rom,
say 10 me no longer n ylsterd'y: lsnam.
he say. you mus come right down 10
close Twin, and vigorous nec0nomy now
kaze dis gwlne ter be 81 hard year"
PHILosoPHIC.
"Pze got some corn. an des two SIDES
err hog meat; an ca,'s all I'll hev. 'ceptin
wat de ole CONAN kin knit socks fer, an
/ dunno er datl grease de big spider
levin out de pot. But Tze w:llin' to wuck
hard on DAT an please God. De fruit
krap may hit, an de watermiiiions. an