The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-04-06
AGRICULTURAL PROSPERITY.
Los Angeles Times.

Los Angeles Times.
The depression in agriculture. as in
all other classes of business, which be-
gan with the election Of Grover Clcve-
land to the presidency in 1892, and con-
tinued during his entire term Of office,
was used to convince the farmers OF
the United States that continuance OF
the policy Of tariff protection would
mean their eternal and absolute ruin,
and that their only salvation lay in the
enactment Of law practically abolish
ing all tariff duties and throwing open
to them the markets of the world"
There is no doubt that many farmers
were Impressed with these specious ar
guments. and were thereby induced to
vote the democratic ticket in 1896, in
the hope that a free-trade regime
would be, inaugurated, by which, 1t
vas alleged. they would be made rich
and prosperous.
But. as We know, the verdict Of the
ballots. in 1885. was not in favor Of the
inauguration OF a tree-trade regime.
Many Of the farmers were fooled. but
not enough Of them were fooled TO
give the victory 20 Bryan and the free
trade policy. The popular verdict was
in favor Of protection. and in obedience
to that verdict a law was enacted,
which is still in force, raising the tariff
duties to point where they protect
American industries. What was the
result? General and widespread pros
perity. What was the effect upon the
agricultural industry in the United
States? Greater prosperity than that
industry had ever known before: in
crease in the value Of farming lands
all over tie country; increased prices
for the products of the farm; increased
demands for these same products; a
more plentiful distribution Of money
throughout the rural sections; extern
slve liquidation Of the mortgages on
farms. and a general betterment of the
condition Of farmers from one end Of
the country to another.
The American Agriculturalist for
March publishes an elaborate review Of
the agricultural situation, from an in
dustrial and financial standpoint.
The statistics colla.ed and the conclu-
sions reached fully bear out the above
assertions as to the present prosperity
Of agriculture in the United States.
THE improvement in agricultural con-
ditions now" as the American Agricul-
turist well observes, "contrasted with
the depth Of depression in 1S94-9G, is as
little appreciated by the outside public
as was the farmers condition during
the hard times. 1t is conservative.
however to say that the produce Of
United States farms for the past year
was worth to the farmers over s., 1,6OO,-
OOO,0O more than in either Of the years
Of depression. This is an average ad-
vance Of 81 per cent. in values com
pared with the low point"
1t further appears from the American
Agriculturallst's summary that the live
stock Of the country is worth 100000
900 more than 1t was worth during the
years Of depression under the Cleveland
reglme-a gain Of SS per cent. Staple
crops are valued at 100000 900 more
than then, and other crops aggregate
an increase of 100000 in value, or
a gain Of % per cent, as compared to
the period Of depression, including the
years 1894, 1895 and 1896
As regards agricultural real estate,
it is found that while that class Of
deprecated greatly during the
hard times (while the Wilson tariff
law, an approximation to free trade,
was In force), it has more than recOv-
cred in value. and is now worth, ac-
cording to a careful estimate, 1920
100000 more than 1t was worth