Evening journal., 1900-10-23

man" especially Of the East. as natural
enemy bent upon squeezing him as a
sponge. This fallacy was fostered by
agitators for political or speculative pur-
poses. II has not yet been wholly dissi-
pated
The truth is that the farmer OF to-day
is primarily a business man-if he knows
his business. There is no more import
ant factor than he in American trade.
II might, indeed be said that he is the
most important factor, since he controls
the initial point Of production and de-
velops the original source Of wealth. He
is the prime essential Of national devel-
opment If he doesn't realize this 1t is
full time that he did.
This is the fundamental status Of the
agriculturist. But IT does not mean that
he can afford to hold himself aloof. or
regard as possible unrelated treatment
of his interests. Il is because he pro
duces al the starting point that he is
vitality concerned with conditions at all
other points Of production. His ultimate
prosperity depends in turn upon these.
If wages among our industrial classes are
good and employment is general their
consumption of farm products increases.
They pay better prices for the necessi-
ties and indulge themselves in the luxu-
ries. With hard times, eurtailment Of
work and shrinkage Of wages, the eonse-
quent forced economy decreases both the
farmers market and his prices.
The man who tills the soil. therefore,
Ne not less a business man, in the truest
sense Of the word. than is the iron foun-
der or the dry goods merchant He seeks
TO conserve his interests but he can do
so intelligently only by studying general
trade conditions and their causes; by aid
ing in the establishment or maintenance
of policies which inure to the benefit Of
all-of which he and his are a consider
able part: by digesting facts, which speak
for themselves. rather than prejudiced or
inslncere utterances which echo the an
cient absurdlty that protection while en-
riching the manufacturer, is a tax upon
agriculture.
PROPOSITIONS.
To develop manufacture without bene-
fitting our agriculturists is not possible
When industries are most diversified
and prosperous the farmer is necessarily
in a position to exchange his products
for a greater variety Of manufactured
articles.
Every farm product to-day, under a
high tariff. exchanges for a larger guam
tity Of manufactured articles than II did
during the low tariff period. 1ss4-7.
r~l.
mously increasing home consumption.
has vastly increased the farmers nearby
markets during the past three years. saw
ing him the cost of transportation to for
eign countries Of an otherwise uncon-
sumed surplus in excess of what he now
sends over seas.
The decrease in prices of farm prod
ucts between 1894 and 1897 according to
unbiased statisticlans resulted in an ag-
grcgate loss 10 the American farmer of
nearly $4,000. 100000. This loss was fol-
lowed by mortgages in every direction
that are now being steadily cancelled
and by interest on borrowed money to
move the crops. in place of the present
agricultural deposits in local banks.
farm products we should have Canadian
competition In cereals and Mexican com
petition in cattle; and this would greatly
Increase our surplus for export when
home consumption is most profitable.
The cry for an export bounty was long
ago demonstrated to be fallacious. II was
cry for that which the manufacturer
could not secure. aud in effect would
stimulate overproducton and force down
the prices received by the farmer-thus
counteracting any benefit that could pos
sibly accrue.
Exceptional natural blessings and the
reverse do not account for the consistent
contrast between the low and high tariff
periods as these have affected agricul-
tural conditions We might produce the
heaviest crops known in our history. and
the producer still be penniless or worse.
IN the absence OF adequate and profitable
markets. Governmental policy creates or
fails TO create opportunities to make full
use Of natural blessings
An example, under the last low tariff.
was the increase in the importation Of
manufactured articles Of farm produc-
tion, and under the present system a
check upon such importation. thus saw
ing TO our own farmers a larger share in
the home market.
FACTS ron THE FARMER.
The farmer is an intensely practical
man. General propositions do not ap-
peal to him when his own bank account
Is under discussion. He wants facts.
Here are few. Let him study them well.
Let him consider the domestic consump-
tion of wheat and corn. the two leading
staples. In 1892 this surpassed all pre-
vious records. being coincident with the
protective tariff Of 1890 What ham
..nrna ~. ihn 70 rr,nn. In fn... 49, - :