The Daily Texarkanian., 1899-10-27
A PLETHORA OF POPULATION.

udlC SuuulNlOu VI dudllo CAlobluk
throughout the country that we
have noted and deploIed for some
time. God grant that the remedy
suggested may soon be applied and
the "halcyou days OF yore' be with
us again;
'The drift of population to the
cities and towns has resulted in
such a condition of overcrowding
that the municipal authorities of
many of them are confronted with
serious problems as how best to
dispose of the surplus whose condi-
ton is not only deplorable through
pauperism and disease, but whose
presence is a constant menace to
health and good order.
In most of the large cities, the
better class have vacated and built
themselves residences in the coun,
try and return to the city only on
purposes of business.
1t has taxed the minds of econo
mists both in England and this
country to devise means for, check
ing this abnormal flow of popula-
ton; and while the causes are ap-
parent we are persuaded that the
remedies proposed are impractical.
BILE, while the conditions producing
them exist.
The tap-root of the evil may be
found in discriminating laws, so
lowering agricultural products, as
to make farming non-paying and
onerous. This is the first disposing
cause for driving; first, our youths
of both sexes to seek employment
away from home; secondly, the old
er ones, in time, to abandon the
farms to hirelings and incompetents
for more congenial surroundings.
This truth has only to impress
itself on the observer by a ride any
where throughout this broad land.
Leaving out of the question the
damage inflicted on farm interests
the more serious aspect presents
itself of its moral effects upon soci-
ETY., the drift of which is to make
vagabonds of our youth, who may
be found by scores loafDg on the
streets hunting temporary jobs, or
idlipg away their precious time in
vicious pursuits.
There are more people in the
world every year to feed and clothe
and, through and by means of dis
eliminating laws, the burthen of
this gigantic undertaking falls more
heavily every year upon the faith
full few whose drops of sweat, like
great drops of blood, are wrung
from them in the lucklesS task of
extracting it from Mother Earth at
a cost absolutely below that of ac-
tual produ ction.
1t is idle to preach overproduc-
ton, diversification and kindred
questions of home economies-the
broad fact still stares the farmer in
the face that, in spite of his best
efforts, he is able only to make both
ends meet" His lands may be ever
so fertile; his harvests ever so good;
his ledger shows, if at all, but a
short balance in his favor.
The first to take account of this
state of of affairs, are the boys and
girls in their teens. There are no
good neighborhood schools, but
poorly paid churches and the old
home looks dilapidated They in
voluntarily tire of this hum drum,
everyday experience and very nat
urally drift away from these inAu-
ences, and seek employment in the
cities and towns,
How long this state of things
may continue will depend on the
proper solution of certain political
economic questions agitating the
public mind. When these are set
tied in the interest of the masses,
and the field of competitlonis again
fairly open to all, we will see agrf-
culturists returning to their homes
new school houses and churches
built, the old homestead refurnish-
ed and rural society re established |
on the old time basis of excellence,
These are the halcyon days conf