Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1900-08-24
IMPROVED CONDITION OF THE
FARMERS.

A correspondent Of the Boston Ad-
vertiser has looked carefully over the
farming situation in the western
states, and makes a long report on the
facts obtained by personal examina-
ton. There is enough money in the
west, he says. to pay every dollar of
it's indebtedness, and no class of it's
inhabitants is in better shape than the
farmer. He carries his chin higher,
says this observer, his eyes are bright
or, his fences in better repair, there is
a new coat of paint on his house, his
wife and children wear better clothing
and his children are sent away to
school OF college. The betterment
has occurred in the last three years.
1.-The fact thai these improved condi-
TONS says the correspondent. date
from about the time of McKinley's
election, is a coincidence ever in the
mind of the class especially benefited.
The prophecy of evil and agricultural
ruin made by Col. Bryan four years
ago has proved false in every particu-
lar. SO far as relates to agricultural
interests. Consequently the prophet
OF evil is d~iscredited." In every par
ticular the business of farming is more
profitable and generally satisfactory
than it was during the last administra-
ton, and the millions engaged in this
great vocation see and appreciate the
change.
Since 1896 the farmers of the west,
according to the correspondent from
New England, have become independ-
ent and scientific borrowers and OBJ
tain money at a decided reduction of
interest. Instead of 6 or S per cent
interest they pay ), or ever ~, and
thus save at least $J,OOO,OOO annually.
\ lowered rate OF interest, it is noted.
marks the difference between good
times and hard times. 1t shows the
farmer in a state CT prosperity instead
OF distress. 1t shows the farmer in
the saddle, and master instead of SER
want Banks in small towns have
multiplied. During his journey the
correspondent visited a large city
bank holding deposits from 1900 coun-
try banks of SD 100000, or double the
amount on deposit three years ago.
There has been in the same time an
average increase in the value of farm
ing lands of from 10 to 10 per cent.
One firm with outstanding loans to
farmers amounting to $1O,OOO,ON re-
ported a default in interest on July 1
of less than $500. The rural country
is full of money of it's own which COM
petes with the funds of insurance COM
panies for investment in farm mort
cages; and farmers borrow now to i'm
prove and extend their business, not to
meet living expenses.
An era of better prices and improved
credit has come to the farmers along
with a republican administration, iden-
titled with the gold standard, a pro-
tective tariff, a treasury surplus and
necessary, honorable national expan-
sion. The Boston correspondent who
has taken a close view of. the farmers
of the west concludes that "The bare
record, unadorned by oratory or argu-
ment, sufices to change the convic-
tions and views of tens of thousands
of farmers who, in their distress four
short years ago, turned to unlimited
imitation as the only means of relief.
The full measure of the changed condi-
ton of the farmers Of the west l do
not think is appreciated by the Bryan
leaders," In the last presidential
campaign IN avalanche Of free silver
literature descended upon the farms.
If any remains it is Waste paper. It
is certain the farmers will never ac-
cept Bryan again as an exposition of
their needs and interests.