, 1897-11-20

mist. in reproducing these interesting
and valuable articles, is actuated by a
to give its readers the full bene>
of this graphic illustration of the
consequences inflicted upon
the agricultural interests by four years
Of free trade.
From figures taken from official sta
tistics of the treasury department and
prepared under a free trade admins,
tration, the Register obtains some
startling conclusions. For example it
finds that in the four years of 1893 to
1886, inclusive, the decreased consump>
ton of wheat and corr directly attrib-
uted to hard times" amounted to a to-
tai of 1881, 16.072 bushels. represent
ing a farm value of 1864, 55S, 239, or an
excess value Of more than 81. 900. OOO,>
900.
The loss on farm animals for the
same four years is shown to be 81. $50.
422 ,9GS, and on oats and hay over
$''''''osooo- ii'o' ahC ~
prices to pay for the experiment in free
trade covering the period between
March 4. 1898. and March 4, 1897. If to
the losses of the farmer, estimated at
more than s.. 200 900, 900, are added the
losses of the country in other ways
such as the decline in wages and in
values of real estate, rents, merchan-
disc, manufactured products, and profit.
producing property of all kinds, the
grand total reaches appalling proper
tons. 1t is an object lesson which the
people of the United States are grasp
ing the full Significance of as the shad-
ows Of adversely gradually give way to
the sunlight OF prosperity.
In a recent issue the Economist drew
attention to the extraordinary increase
in the wealth of the farmers as shown
in the effect of protection upon the val
ues Of the sheep and wool OF the I'm
tied States. Ewes which in 1894 sold
in Ohio at 60 cents each now bring 50
to 81, while lambs and bucks have ad-
vanced in equal proportion. The Madi-
son. Wis. Journal has the following to
say about the report Of the secretary OF
the Kansas City Live Stock exchange
on the great increase in the market val
ues OF live stock:
1T is not from wheat alone that the
western farmers are reaping prosperity
this year. The values OF live stock OF
all kinds have increased on an average
Of about Is per cent, and from the great
stock yards OF Kansas City $40. 200, 900
more than in 1896 will be distributed
among the producers. This is a state
ment made by the secretary of the Live
Stock exchange Of Kansas City after
careful calculation and taking into con-
s%ideration both the rise in values and
the increase in receipts. Every steer
now sold at the stock yards in that city
brings from Sc to So more than the same
kind Of a steer brought a year ago; ev-
cry calf from 81 to SO more; every hog
from 50 to 1925 more. and every sheep
81 more. The total value of all the
live stock handled at that market this
year will reach 1925. 900, 900 and more.
With these increased profits from his
live stock. added to the large returns
for his wheat. the western farmer is
enjoying a season Of remarkably good
fortune and prosperity. and has good
cause for rejoicing"
The whole country has good cause
for rejoicing, for prosperity begins at
the farm and extends through every
branch Of human activity. When its
harvest for the year 1897 shall have
been fully reaped and reckoned. there
will be a grand showing for protection.