The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-04-05
THE SITUATION
An Essay Read Before the Cecil
Farmers Club BY Mr.. John
p. Wilson March
2fst, 1907.

2ISt, 1907.
Mr. President and fellow members of the Club:
1t gives me pleasure to again welcome you to our
home and fire side, and as your host will in some
measure try to conform to the time-honored Gus
tom of furnishing theme for discussion on this
occasion. The club has formulated some sug-
gestions relative to the improvement OF our high
ways, which we think if put in practice will work
a revolution in our road system, yet there are
other important questions in which we as club
should take the initiative, trusting it may bear
fruit. The past year has been one of greater
promise; we are offered better prices, for be it
known the farmer is the only class that puts on
the market finished product that cannot dictate
the price. The product of the loom, the mill, the
manufactory-every branch of trade-putting
their wares on the market sum up the cost of
production. the cost of handling ard u large
margin for profit, hence the price. We take what
they will give US, regardless of cost OF production
And this matter of increased cost OF production
about balances the advance prices. Could we
share the optimistic view OF the Hon. Secretary of
Agriculture, as set forth in the year book, we
might congratulate ourselves we were on the
highway of prosperity. quote from report:
''In the grand aggregate of all farms of all
classes the increase in value equaled the enor-
nous total of Sc, 131 100000 for one year. Every
sunset during the past five years has registered an
increase of 49, 400 600 in the value of the farms of
this country. Every month has piled this value
upon value until it has reached SlOl 100000
That portion of the national debt bearing interest
is equaled by the increased value of farms in nine
months, and this increase for little over year,
balances the entire interest and noninterest bear
ing debt of the United States" And further he
says, This increased value that has come to our
farms is invested better than in bank deposits or
even in the gilt edged securities or bonds of pri
yate corporations
This whrlwind of prosperity does not seem to
have struck the average farmer of this community
and especially not with cyclonic force and If such
conditions do exist as whole, is it not time we
should enquire what is the matter? Farm prop
erty today is so to 40 per cent lower than 40 years
ago, while its intrinsic value is 80 to 40 per cent
greater. We believe there are two causes which
contribute to this condition. scarcity of labor for
farming and consequent higher wages, and eX-
cessive taxes real estate with our limited basis
of taxable property having suffered through mis-
taken philanthropy, slump of one-hfth of our
basis. and neglect to properly look after and as
sess personal property, while every acre of real
is made to yield tribute, thereby throwing the
burden of the taxes of the county and State on
the farms, when at least Clio of the wealth of the
county and State is personal property.
Another evil of which we wish to speak, of
whichi the tax payers have long born, if not
accomplishing, the fact still remains that of the
$500 voters of Cecil county conservative estimate
discloses the fact that at least $500 do not in any
way contribute to the government that protects
them furnishes schools for their children, main
tains highways, covering approximately in Cecil
5000 acres and in the State S24 acres, owned by
the farmers of the State, and upon which they
are assessed for taxes. which is the common
heritage OF all. Now are we treating this minority
fairly?
A large element of these are self respecting
citizens. Is this not misnomer, for citizenship
should confer the right to contribute to the
county and SeatA expenses. We would not call
them paupers, yet they are beneticiaries of the
public bounty. 1t might be equally offensive to
call them wards. Now this we maintain is not
their fault. and doubt many of them feel
Inundated in consequence. So far as we have
been able to learn there are but very few States
in all where such conditions exist. Now let us
restore the manhood to all our voters. Let them
contribute, if but poll tax, and the matter of
interest on proposed bonds is provided for; if not
Snug sum in the sinking fund.
Now how is this to be accomplished? Send
men to the Legislature with sufficient starch in
their spinal columns that they will represent the
will of their constituents, and not sacrifice the
present opportunity by beclouded vision of
future political preferment. Amend the consti-
tuition so the burden of taxation shall be born
proportionately by all; the repeal OF the act by
which we lost three mi lions of taxable basis;
have local in each district to look after
those moving in and strike off those leaving the
State well as increase personal of residents and
the matter of taxes is solved with the power to
issue bonds, will put us in a position to improve
our public highways, add value TO our farms and
the farmer relieved of these handicaps can take
his chances in the race of life. Some advocate
of necessity restrain trade. consequently is in the
category of trusts, which followed to extremes
would prove more disastrous than any OF the
mighty combinations that now menace the public
welfare. Let us then as farmers pursue conser-
vatve course and we will ultimately become
master of the situation. The department off gri.
culture is, we believe, destined to become one of
the most important features in our government;
commercial interests that have been on the tidal
wave of prosperity have receded inventive genius
is constantly succeeding one another making
former inventions valueless the class of merchan-
disc thronging our markets today will in few
wears be relegated to the rear; the hidden things
In store for mans use as necessity requires shows
unmlstakenly guiding hand; scientific research
has disclosed vast possibilities; motor cars ira
verse the earth and airships the skies; but until
the consumation of all things man must eat bread
and while the occupation OF the farms was first
II must OF necessity be'the last.