The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1899-07-27
The Monetary Problem.
THE FARMER's PROSPERITY.
Evidence Given Before the
Iadustriaf Communication.

Some very interesting facts are be-
Ing brought out IN the evidence given
before the industrial commission at
Washington. None of these possess
more interest Tor the agricultural read
er than the statistics embraced In the
evidence Of Mr.. George n. liolmes, Of
the agricultural department, given on
the 2ith OF June. We quote from the
tsicgraphic reports;
"lle furnished statistics showing that
the average per capita earnings Of farm
lnborcrE IN the United States amount 20
S225 per annum, without board, com.
pared 20 SET paid 10 persons engaged
IN domestic service, $fe0 paid to miners
and Sass paid 10 those engaged in the
mechanical arts. lie also submitted iig-
urcs showing the per capita produc-
tion OF the agricultUriStx OF the United
States 10 be siT7 In the south AtiRntic
states, S2ii in the southern central
states, $500 In the north central states,
$3.50 In the north Atlantic states and
S5ig In the western stutcB, the average
production In manufactures being $3.50
per capita per annum. From these fig
ures he deducted the conclusion that
The condition of the farm laborer was
yrctchedly poor. while that OF the
farm owner WIS little better. lie cSti-
mated that after all expenses were paid
the farmer received an average Of only
se2,6i per month. counting nothing for
interest. For the past few years there
has been conEtsHt decline w the price
Of farm products, except in meat, dairy
and poultry products"
These facts are all the more interest
ing because they eomc from an officer
OF the present goldbug administration,
which naturally is DESTROYS Of keeping
in the dark everything that might have
n tendency TO shorten It's wretchcd po-
litical existence. The American farm.
er ought TO be the most prosperous of
all the industrial classes, and yet these
statistics show that hc Is but little bet
ter than a paupcr. His condition is q
disgrace 90 our civilization, aud hOw
any farmer with the least degree Of
can continue TO support by his vote and
influence the very measures that pau
pcriEe him and insure a heritage Of
slavery for his children, ia more than
we can understand In nine cases out
OF ten his action Is the result OF u stu
pid political prejudice that would make
hm turn him wife and children out 10
beg on the public roads rather than look
for anything good Ia the party that he
" opposed 90. In fact his prejudice is
SO intense that he imagires there can
be nothing good In the other party or
Its principles, and so ne continues 10
vote for the devil If he IA nominated 10y
his party"
The boaS,ed prosperity that was 10
come with the Inauguration Of Mckin-
lcyism has not reached the farmer, aud
I, never will reach him. The condition
of the farmer is worse to-day than Il
ever was, and 1t will continue TO get
worse 30 long as goldbugism and Shy
lockism prevail, until the end will come
In the same system of tenantry and serf-
dom that now prevails in Europe. And
this is the set purpose Of those who have
made present conditions possible. They
want peasantry TO cultivate their
lands, from whom they can drnw~thr
best favored young men and girls to
serve their households and minister TO
their pleasures. Those who have the
money intend 10 own both the fam and
the farmer. and no person or power ON
earth can prevent them from accom-
plishing their purpose except the farm
er himself. The farmer holds The bal
anec Of power In politics, and he could
make himself master OF the situation II
he would. lie also holds the meal sack
and the lock TO the meal larder, and n
word from him would bring the world
to his feet. But he uttera not that
word. lie looks bishkiy into the fa-
tnra and "votes as he shot" while Shy
lock, who never risks his life n battle,
robs him OF his heritage and blazcs the
road TO poverty and shame for hs chill
dren.--- Mississippi Valley Democrat.