Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-31

standard in 1896, the farmers of that
state could have reversed the result had
they been so disposed. But the farm
ers in that region stood by Wall street.
Bimetallism has never made much
Roadway in the interior of New York,
and all the agricultural countries gave
majorities for Mckinley. Hence one
would suppose that New York farmers
had been prospecting with Wall street
under the gold standard; but what are
the facts?
Bolton Hall writes as follows: Find
Ing New York City so crowded by able
bodied men out of employment, not a
few of whom were apparently willing
to labor in the country districts IL sit
uations could be found for them, the
Association for Improving the Condi-
ton of the Poor determined to make in
quiry into the relation between the
congested population in cities and the
reported existence of deserted farms.
Having been furnished by special
contribution with sufficient funds to
conduct limited investigation, the
committee secured the services Of Mr..
Kjelgarrd, an intelligent Pennsylvania
farmer, to travel through such of the
agricultural districts of New York state
as he could reach during the summer
months, with the purpose of gathering
information by personal inquiry and
observation.
At the same time, Mr. George r.
Powell, an agricultural expert, Of
Client, Duchess county, N. Y, under
took, at the committees request, to
conduct by correspondence the same
inquiry He showed, conclusively, that
the farms are falling into disuse
From 1890 to 1880, the population
Of the country increased twelve times,
while that of the cities of 5000 inhab-
itants and over increased eighty-six
times. In 1890, -thirtieth of the
population of the United States lived in
cities, and in 1880, nearly one-fourth
In the past one hundred years, the pop
ulation of New York state has multi
piled itself more than seventeen times,
and that of the city about forty-six
times. During the same period, the
city of Albany has increased twenty
seven times"
The reason is evident. Mr.. KEEL
gard reports that rs per cent Of the
New York state farmers are not max
ing living, and per cent on the esti-
mated value of their farm property; 40
per cent are running behind every
year. The farmers are not paying
more than per cent interest for their
money, and Ga per cent report no
knowledge of accounts being kept
These observations are substantially
confirmed by Mr. Powell.
The reasons assigned by the farm
ers for their lack of prosperity, while
taking many forms, usually are equiv
alent to the simple statement that
prices for farm products are too low.
Yet the farmers of New York voted for
monetary policy that will avowedly
keep prices low, and voted against free
silver coinage, which the New York
Wall street organs constantly proclaim
would double prices. But Senator
Chandler of New Hampshire says they
will vote differently next time. Let
us hope so.
Mr.. Hall comments: "One can hard
ly avoid the conclusion that the truo
cause of the evil has hardly yet been
reached. Is not this principal cause?
The land for miles around our cities,
the very land which ought to supply
abundant crops, being near the sources
of manure-the land which is near the
market for its productive land upon
which the farmer could work and still
enjoy the blessings Of society and hui
man intercourse, is taken out Of use by
speculation. 1t is generally either I'M
used or badly cultivated, on account OF
the uncertain tenure Of the cultivator.
So the farmer is forced out to regions
way Back" to Back Woods" or to
"Lonelytown."
Mr.. Kjelgaard incidentally reports
the remarks: 1.-The farmers are getting
tired of this struggle. For want OF So
cial conditions, churches and schools
the boys won't stay on the farm, and
the old folks cannot get competent
help to work them" "The better edu-
cational and social facilities are offered
by the town, and the natural desire of
men is to live in communities" The
hest farm laborers leave the country
for cities to obtain yearly work, which
most farmers do not furnish in late
years; also to perform less hours OF
labor"
Speculation in land, the source OF
production, is doubtless one Of the
prime reasons why men cannot find
work in the cities and cannot make a
living if they resort to farming. An
other cause is the single gold stand
ard. Never, in all history. has pros
perity been known in an era Of falling
prices. Another cause is the monopoly
az railroads. Fundamental finance
| tand and TRANSPORTATION reform Is es-