The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-27

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1886. But to have shown the real condi-
ton Of tho farmers since the year 1895 as
compared with that year. Mr.. Thopas
should have taken average prices in the
meantime II he will consult the United
States Statistical Abstract he will Ind
the average price for wheat in 1895 was
.G59. IN 1896 was Isl, in 1895 was .95i in
1905 was .g58. Surely the farmer who
raises wheat has every reason TO be
thankful FOR the change from conditions
in 1855.
But why did he select 1895 instead Of
1892 ON August q. 1896. wheat was
quoted in Richmond at from 81 10 6.
To-day 81 is quoted at from IS 10 "a.
Corn in 1895 was 30 cents: to-day Al cents.
oats in 1895. q cents; now % cents. Pork
I'm 1896 was quoted ia Chicago at 1901;
now at $50 Spirits Of turpentne in 1896
was selling at . cents: it is selling now
at 4G cents. Cotton is about tho only
farm product that was not lower in 1896
than I'm 1883.
But that. at least does not meet tho
point of Sir. Thomas letter. lie is an
antitrust man. and what De really means
IS that the trusts have raised prices Of
what the farmer has to buy, that his
situation Is much worse That rs not
our reading of events. Our reading OF
them Is this: Prior 20 1896 the threat Oh
debased silver dollars had upset all comb
donce and put an embargo upon trading.
Every Industry outside Of agriculture was
practically Frustrated, and agriculture
was badly Handicapped because CON
sumption of its products was greatly le3-
sened by so many people being without
employment But when we killed free
silver confidence was restored. trading
commenced again; every industry started
lid. everybody got employment there
was money TO buy what was wanted,
and the demand for all manufactured
articles outstipped the supply Of them.
This demand was healthy, and the conse-
olent rise I'm price was healthy and
beneficial to the farmer as wei as TO
all Others. 1t increased the consumption
Of his products, and does nlr. Thomas
think it OF no consequence to him that
the whole country is alive with activity
and an idle men given employment?
The prosperity of the farmers is test-
fed 10 I'm the following letter from Mr..
s. n. K. Preine, In the Stakeholder Of
August 2zd instant. lie says:
,"Nfr. paul Morton. OF the AtchisOn road,
saws that they have shipped during the
last three months more pianos and organs
than have been sent over their road since
1888"
The farmers have money with which
TO buy luxuries.
We have said Mr.. Thomas IS an anti
Trust man. But he is a peculiar sort OF
one. lie is really a Socialist since his doc
trine as evidence I'm several communica-
tons TO this paper is that we should kill
all trusts by converting everything into
one huge socialisuc trust
"rhe MAN with the Hoe" has at least
been Of use 10 paragraphers.
The announcement OF General MERCER
that an the newspapers outside Of France
had been blibcd by the Dreyfus syndicate
no doubt caused some Of the yellow jour
nails TO cast an anchor to windward-
The man upon whom Tom Reeds man
tie shall fan will lave 10 adopt an ex-
mansion policy for himself, if he would
have a neat it,
r. is said that Richard Croker Is now
being guarded by big dogs-to keep the
reporters away What's the matter with