Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-11-04
IN NEW YORK STATE.

agriculture was the chief speaker at
a Republican meeting held here to-
night. In part he said:
When the Republican party was
organized there were no home mar
ketS for the products of the farm be-
cause a large percentage of the people
We're engaged in agriculture. 1t be-
came evident tina. industries could be
diversified. 1t cost too much to take
our products to foreign countries and
left but small margin for the pro-
Queer The Republican party urged
the building up of factories and shops
so that we could have markets nearer
by. The theory was that the manu-
facturer and his working people should
have protection to the extent OF the
difference in thu cost of production at
home and abroad.
This has always been the Republic
can policy. Free homes have been
given to the people and our manufac-
turing system has become the great
est on earth. These policies have
built up Il great market within our
country. During the administrations
of President cleveland. the bars We're
lt'l utiN1 anu I'm uitltS NNIt INV
The result was that our mills could
not compete with those of foreign
countries our Workmen We're thrown
out Of employment and the farmer
lost his market because idle men could
not buy goods. Now the cry is raised
again that we are being robbed by the
tariff 1t is up to the voters to say
whether they want a repetition of the
experience between 1898 and 1897, when
the factories were closed and the
Workmen We're idle.
The present administration has
been doing things. The Interstate
Commerce Commission will do justice
between the shipper and the carrier.
The tariff has been modified. Any
country discriminating will be dis
eliminated against Our goods will
go on equal terms to other countries
or the law will be used.
The department of agriculture is in
touch with all sections of the country.
1t has 5000 specialists making re-
search into conditions which interest
the farmer. few years ago nearly
all our rice was imported Along the
Gulf of Mexico. we now raise the
equivalent of all rice used in the Unit
cd States. We import some but we
also export some. Along the northern
border states we make 100000 tons of
sugar from beetS. Our last beet sugar
crop was worth by products and labor
nearly $1o0oo0,o0o Adopt Democratic
| politics and put sugar on the free list
and the growing of beets and making
| of sugar would stop.
From California 1900 cars of citrus
fruits were shipped east last year. Take
| off the duty and we will get the fruit
| from Mediterranean countries, where
| cheap labor prevails. We are studying
dry land farming. Already We have found
a wheat from northern Africa which will
| grow on our dry lands and we are now
getting about 6O0OO.OO0 bushels of wheat
annually from that land. There is no
| reason why we should not raise all the
wheat we want on these lands alone
Meat producing will follow
| Food prices are dear, and people. are
| blaming the tariff for protecting food
prices. Food cannot come from Europe
1t is up to the people who buy farm prod
ucts in the cities, towns and villages tc
look into their own affairs little. The
average profit put on meats last year by
| the retailers was IS per cent. Is the far.
| mer to blame? Is the tariff to be blamed
If people must use the telephone to orde.
| and goods are delivered from butchers
| and grocery stores at much greater eN'
| mer to blame? Is the tariff to blame.
1t would be we'll for the people to give
lmore attention to the transit of products
| from the farm to the table.
| but there is reason in some of the in
| creaSeS Our country is growing fast
Nearly 100000 people came to us from
abroad every year and perhaps as many
more by natural increases. Most of the
foreigners and many of the younger gen
eratons settle in towns.
IF a small percentage of the people o
towns and villages would become pro
ducers and get the benefit of the higi
prices of products of the field. the equi
lbrium would soon be established; an'
the high prices may contribute TO thl
very end"