The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-10-27
FARMER PATRIOTISM
ACcomac Truckers Send Sweet Potatoes
for the Democratic Campaign Fund.
RAILROAD TAKES NEARLY ALL PROCEEDS
The Charges for transportation
Amounted 40 Nearly Iwo.thirds
OF the Price RcnItzed-The Ono.
Hundrcd.nnd-TwoB nrreis Shipped
Netsed but Little for She Fund.

! The other day the farmers residing in the
ne.gnDorhoou OF Mappsburg, Accomack
county, determined to DO something to aid
~ the election of Bryan and Sewell. Re-
| ing without money, these Democratic till
J ers OF the soil aS. eId That they would each
contribute to IL load OF sweet potatoes 10
I be forwarded to New York with instruc-
lions to the commission merchants there
10 turn the proceeds over to the New York
journal there for the benefit of its cam
paign. fund.
~, A,ec;o orliIg they hauled the potatoes
Bros, OF New York, a total of 100 barrels.
The sweet potatoes were sold in the
$3.50 was. realized. Olivit Bros. generous
The farmers eon,ribu,ion e the fund
mSnt be as large as possible, but the
freight charges had TO come out Of The
amount. and the check the commission
short etsf w ssna on Shs sS5S T be
charges of the Pennsylvania Railroad
company for bringing the farmers dona-
inc gross proceeds of the consignment.
The railroad took SOL out OF the farmer s.
gift and left the actual money from the
sale of the produce less than 2G cents a bar
rel. Is II any wonder that the farmers are
poor and the railroads lich?
Though the Journals fund for the DEM
octatic campaign has been closed and the
money turned over so IL may be used be-
fore election the contribution of the pa
and that they may have f1,li credit for
their generosity. the Journal will make
up the extortion of the Pennsylvania
and will present the full amount, $3.50, to
the Democratic National Committee in the
name OF the farmers of Mappsburg
! the eXhorbitant charge for bringing the
| Carload Is explained by the statement that
the freight rate is 30 cents and the price
of the barrels for shipment 20 cents apiece
| Generosity is not quality, the exercise
OF which is to be demanded, but If the
railroad company had brought this con-
| tributton for sonch tng less than the high
est rate II could charge 1t would I've more
| popular among the farmers who are COM
PEELED TO patron.ze 1t than II is This was
a donation 10 cause for educational pur-
poses The produce was plainly marked
50 that the railroad officials could not have
but known that the shipment was no ordi-
/ nary transaction of trade. 1t might have
| been contribution to charity, Il relief do
nation in time of famine, but the rich ra IL
| hold on the throat of the farmer whatever
the occasion.
There is no lack OF free special trains
TO bring all who will go to Canton to do
this little shipment by poor men who took
| THIS means OF testify!ng their Apr wal of
| the principles voiced by the candidate OF
| the other had to he cut down two-thfrds
! been sent to swell the millions raised by
Mr. Hanna In Mr.. Mckin!ey's interest,
does anybody suppose two-thirds of It's
price would be taken by the transporting
| corpora tons?
That the railroad companies are parti-
san in this election has often been stated.
but this is short-sighted part!sansh!p,
surely: That S5l freight bill will do more
| than {ol damage to the cause of which the
big corporations are adherents among the
| farmers. The incident of ear No II $40 Will
| be heard OF again before the votes are
counted on election day.