Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-10-31
Farmer Patriotism
And Railroad Greed.

Farmers around Mappsburg, Va,
the other day determined to do some
thing To help the election OF Bryan
and Sewall They drove into the
town, each with load of sweet pota-
toes, the staple crop in that section
aud made up carload O: produce,
which they consigned to Olivit Bros,
the commission merchants at Wash
ington and Harrison streets, directing
them to turn the proceeds of the sale
over to the Journal for the benefit of
the campaign fund.
The sweet potatoes were sold in the
market at - cents a barrel. and
total Of $3.50 was realized. Olivit
Bros generously refused to charge any
commission 80 the farmers contribu-
ton to the fund might be as much as
possible, but the freight charges had
to come out OF the amount, and the
check the commission men were able
to send to the Journal with the fol-
lowing letter, was only s26.5O. The
charges Of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company for bringing the farmers
donation to New York amount to two
thirds the gross proceeds of the con-
signment. The railroad took s5l of
the farmers gift and left the actual
money from the sale of the produce
less than 26 cents barrel. Is it any
wonder the farmers are poor and the
railroads rich?
Through the .journors fund for the
Democratic campaign has been closed
and the money turned over so it NAV
be used before election, the contribu-
ton of the patriotic farmers Of Maps
burg is accepted, and that they may
have full credit for their generosity,
the journal will make up for the ex-
tortion Of the Pennsylvania Railroad
by paying the freight charges, and
will present the full amount, $3.50,
to the Democratic National Committee
in the name Of the farmers of Mapps-
burg, Here is Olivit Brothers letter:
W. Il. Hearst, the Journal:
Dear Sir-Enclosed we beg to hand
you sales of car No. IL, ,5i0, contain
ing l02 barrels sweet potatoes, CON
signed 10 you by the citizens of Maps
burg, Va, to be sold for the benefit of
the Bryan and Sewall campaign fund.
We regret very much the condition
OF our market on them nevertheless,
trust the proceeds will be appreciated,
as no doubt they will be, coming as it
does from the tillers of the soil, who
in no instance this season have gotten
the cost OF production for any of their
crops. Very truly yours,
OLINIT BROTHERS.
The exOrbitant charge for bringing
the carload is explained BY the state
ment that the freight rate is 80 cents
and the price Of the barrels for ship
ment 20 cents apiece.
Generosity is not quality, the
exercise OF which is to be demanded.
but if the railroad company had
brought this contribution for some.
thing less than the highest rate it
could cnarge it would be more popular
among the farmers who are compelled
TO patronize il than il is. This was Il
donation TO cause for educational
purposes. The produce was plainly
marked, so the railroad officials could
not have but known that the shipment
was not an ordinary transaction OF
trade. Ii might have been contribu-
tion to Il charity, relief donation in
time Of famine, but the rich railroad
corporation would not have let 90 lis
hold on the throat Of the farmer what
ever the occasion.
There is no lack of free special
trains To bring all who will 90 To
Canton to do honor to the candidate
ot one party, but this little shipment
by poor men who took this means Of
testiiying their approval OF the prin-
ciples voiced by the candidate of the
other had to be cut down two-,hird>.
Suppose that carload of sweet potatoes
had been sent TO swell the millions
raised by Mr.. Hanna in Mr.. McKin-
leys interest. does anybody suppose
two-thirds of its price would be taken
by the transporting corporation.
That the railroad companies are
partisan in this election has often been
stated, but this is short-sightei partisan
ship, surely That sol freight hill
will do more than sal damage To the
cause Of which the big corporations
are adherenls among the farmers. The
incident Of car No. ll,540 will he
heard Of again before the votes are
counted on election day.
We live Ia 4 country OF which the
principal >courge is stomach-trouble.
II Is more widespread than any
other disease. and, very nearly. more
dangerous.
One thing that makes it - danger.
ou> Is that ii is 50 little understood.
II il were better understood il
would be more feared, more easily
cured, less universal than il is now.
So those who wish to he cured. take
Shaker Digestive Cordial, because it
goes TO the root OF the trouble rs no
other medicine does The pure, harm
les, curative herbs and plants, OF
which it is composed. are what render
i 80 certain and, at the same time. 50
gentle Il cure.
Ii helps and strengthens the stomach