The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-03-06
LIVE ISSUES.
What the Farmers are Saying.


EDITOR NEWS To-day the
uppermost topic among all those
who depend upon soil tillage fop
sustenance is the persistence OF
unprecedented low selling values.
Nothing bnt crop shortage some
where raises the price. An excep-
tionally favorable season for any
particular article makes it almost
unstable.
There is absolutely no induce
ment for farmers to increase tillage
or fertilization, as the success of
one section depends more upon the
non success of other sections than
upon careful husbandry.
The cotton crop of last year, be-
cause of one third diminution in its
bales, gave to the planters greater
pecuniary return than the famous
yield of 1894.
Our bounteous yield of potatoes
last season brought the grower out
in debt.
This pitiful condition exists after
a continuous tariff of one-third of a
century, tariff higher than ever
before existed in this country.
1t follows the decentralization of
silver in '73 and:silver's rejection in
1913 as a basis for paper circulation.
Is it possible, fellow farmers,
that the special privileges obtained
by a portion of the nation have
built up the cities at our cost?
Is it possible that the taking
away in '73 of the money of re-
demption Gor the world over silver
and gold are about equal in value)
has so increased the demand for
gold that gold purchases more to-
day than it did before the dual
standard was legislated away? Can
this juggling with money standards
be also a potent factor in the dis
heartening and financial weakening
of all producers?
They who have made the gain,
the wealth absorbers of the earth,
intend not to share any of the bur-
dens of taxation they can avoid.
Two years ago Congress enacted
that wealth should pay small per-
centage upon its surplus income,
yet before the law could be enforced
a readjustment of the Supreme
Bench declared such a law uncon-
stitutional.
Fellow farmers, who of you here
can say we are not in dire straits?
Who of you can trace the influence
of the laws now in operation and
say the prospects for '96 are
brighter than they were in '95?
Have we not as nation riveted
upon coming years fresh burden
in the two hundred and sixty-two
millions of U. S. bonds sold for
gold to preserve inviolate the gold
standard? and that without dimin-
ishing one iota the cause which
drew the gold from the sub-Treas
ury European ownership of Amer
lean securities?
Will not in short time the
maintenance of this gold standard
require another repetition of these
u. S. bond sales for gold alone?
How is it possible with this in
cubus of our foreign debts and the
retention of the gold standard for
any other result to ensue?
A gold standard minimizes prices
and deprives a producer of any in
centive to raise from his acres that
which they are capable of yielding
to honest and hopeful toll.
Cut loose from this perpetual
selling of bonds to maintain the
power of fund holders. Pay inter-
est in silver or gold at option of
debtor. Then farmers will cease
to sell at less than cost of produc-
ton. Then gains will incite to
larger yields. Then farmers debts
to banks and usurers will shrivel
into proportions possible of liquida-
without the Sheriff's aid.
Brethren we are on the verge of
a new political campaign.
Is to you the prestige of a polit-
ical party more than the preserva-
ton of your hearthstoness Or is
the welfare and education of your
children the supreme object of
attainment &C. BRINToN.