The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-27
THE FARMERS, PROTEST.

Among the representatives of the agricul-
tural interests of the United States who
appeared before the commission to consid-
er the relations between the United States
and Canada was Hon. Aaron Jones. of this
State. He appeared as worthy master of
the National Grange, with other officers of
that widespread organization. In the course
of his remarks, Mr.. Jones said:
We speak for all the farmers of every
State of the Union and in all of the Sta
They are opposed to any change being made
ucts. The agricultural industry represents
about 60 per cent, of the population of the
country and produces annually about go per
cent. of the total wealth of the country. This
interest should not be sacrificed. l have Of
fetal expressions from all States in the
Union and all are opposed to changing III
any manner the duties now imposed on
Canadian agricultural products. This is as
true of the Western, Southern, Central and
New England States as of the States along
asking for commercial reciprocity treaty
and in that treaty they want the duty on
Canadian barley: eggs, vegetables, fruits
and other products removed. That the
American farmers will never consent to. A
national convention of the grange has been
called to be held in Concord, n. H., in
November and unless the question is set
tied before that time it will be taken up
there
For many years the farmers of the
United States have not been well salts
fed with conditions as they are now. They
are satisfied with the Dingley tariff law as
it is, and they desire to see it tested for a
longer period before changing it. Even the
farmers who believe in free trade say that
if they must have protective system, they
believe under the present systm the farm
erS are faring better than most of the other
industries We have been told that certain
manufacturing interests in the United
States have asked for commercial reciproc-
ity with Canada but so great an interest
as that of agriculture should not be sacri-
feed for some less important manufacturing
interest.
A few weeks since, when a free-trader
from Boston was in this city trying to in
duce the commercial organizations to join
him in an effort to facilitate the exchange
of merchandise with Canada, the Journal
expressed the opinion that farmers would
not agree to any change in the present
tariff which could afford Canadian farmers
the advantage of free markets in the United
States, or that which would be almost
equivalent, an ad valorem duty. The pro-
test which Mr.. Jones has made for the most
extensive organization of farmers in the
country shows that the opinion of the Jour
nal was correct. The agricultural schedules
of the Dingley tariff were made with view
of giving the farmers of the United States
the home markets because those markets of
right belong to them.
A Kansas correspondent of the Chicago
Record has given an extensive abstract of
latest official reports, which show wonder
full increase of the money received for the
smaller farm products. butter, poultry
eggs. ETC.. over any previous year. This is
due largely to a tariff which shuts the
Canadian farmer out of the great and grow
ing home markets for the products of the
farm. Consequently. any action of the joint
commission which might lead to a change
in the agricultural schedules of the Dingley
tariff would be regarded by all farmers as
detrimental TO their interests