The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1897-07-03
The Tarin Ana Agriculture.


for all forms Of industry, productive OF
unproductiye, actual or possible, has
been noted. There was a general dis
play OF this sympathy when the duties
on agricultural products came up Cor
discussion. 1t was farmers day" in
the senate. and much was said upon the
needs of the farmer OF the land better
prices for his products, a sure market to
sell in, certain supply of farm labor,
cheap transportation, and finally a
bounty on his exports. To read the
many speeches made in his favor it
might be supposed he was in great
straits, and about to be driven from the
field by the pressure OF adverse condi-
tiOns. Nero protective duties would
not save him; he must have liberal boun-
ties to encourage him to continue his
labors.
1t must be admitted the farmer of the
United States has long been burdsned to
an Unnecessary degree, and has borne the
full cost of almost every mistaken ex-
pertinent attempted by state and ma
tional legislature. 1t was due to his
efforts that our country attained and
maintained an agricultural predomi-
nance in the world that has been the
support and envy of other nations. It
was his enterprise that had peopled a
great continent, and enabled industries
and commerce to thrive under the adj
vantages he secured by his own labor
applied to nature. He and his make up
the great home market, and from the
passage of the first protective tariff he
has paid for the maintenance OF indust-
ries which could not have existed with
out factitious support, as we'll as settled
the cost of all currency, labor, and
socialistic legislation. Forming the
very foundation of the nations wealth,
he has seen q part OF his profits taken
each Year by form Of law to go to others
who have not possessed the same ability
to produce. For nearly a century manu-
factures have been unduly supported
out OF the earnings of the farmer.
In all this period be has received 10
protection for his own products. The
home market was not and can never be
large enough to consume his principal
products. He early reached the limits
of that market, and entered into foreign
markets, enjoying superiority that has
passed unquestioned for half century.
Atone time nearly ninety per cent. of
our exports were agricultural; and even
now, when they form but sixty-six per
cent, they amount to nearly $630,OooOOO
year. Having an ability to export, no
protective duties OH his products could
affect him; but in every tariff the vain
farce Of framing such duties is pre-
formed. Take the article Of breadstuffs
alono. The exports have amounted to
s3Oo,O0OOo0 in a single year; the i'm
ports have steadily decreased, and are
now less than s2,GOo,OCO Tho imports
of all articles Of food amount to about
1920, 100000; but more than fiye-sixths
OF this amount represents articles which
do not come into competition with
domestic products; aud what little re-
mains is class Of imports brought into
local markets which cannot be so advan-
tageously supplied as from abroad.
Ii the pretence OF protecting The
farmer while taxing him more than his
share is to be maintained, let him get
some direct benefit which will assure
him that the government can be as pa
ternal to him as to other interests of
the community. He sees direct pay
ment of S140,0o0,0O a year to pensioners;
nearly $50,0O0,C00 year sunk in river
and harbors to favor commerce; and lie
sees more than S27, 100000 year put in
to navy to protect that commerce a.
gainst possible enemies. In every
direction he sees extravaganza and
waste in expenditure, all Of which he
pays without deriving any immediate
benefit. 1t is time for him to study the
tariff for himself, and no longer take
the word Of the political iobber, for
otherwise he will be mulcted so long as
he has anything to be taken.