Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1914-06-12
Extracts from speech of Hon.
Harden Brooks at Tupelo.

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The Governments Daty Toward Agricultural interests.
If it be my good fortune and great honor to. be sent to the
National Legislature, it will be great ambition, my earnest
and continuous effort to forward by all means in my power
all such laws and all movements that make for the betterment
Of agricultural conditions. know Of no just law in the in.
terest of the farmer that would not be for the interest of the
merchant, the banker, the manufacturer, the workers in cities
and towns.
There never was a time when the Importance of properly en-
couraging and providing for the agricultural interests of our
country was more keenly felt than now, and the democratic
party, in my judgment, can do nothing that will more certain
ly K erpetuate it in power, and result in greater good to the ma
tion at large than to formulate and put into effect some liberal,
equitable and wise policies for supplying government aid to
states and counties in the building of good roads, in the bet.
tering of rural schools, in advancing the cause of, vocational
education, in the establishment of a practical and liberal rural
credit system, whereby farmers can borrow money, when need
ed, on long time and at a low rate of interest, just as the com.
mercial world can do. 1 believe, too, that a policy should be
inaugurated looking to the establishment of a demonstration
farm in every agricultural county, and efficient national aid
should be given to encourage and establish a co. cooperative mar.
keting system for farm products.
In this connection, it can be truly said, that money spent in
building up and improving farm life, is the best and most prof
liable investment that either state or nation can make.
Should l be hOnOred with a seat in Congress, it will be nv
chief aim to devote my time and energies in cooperating to
secure proper legislation looking to the carrying out in letter
and spirit the party's platform promises, and especially to
wisely and literally provide for the important agricultural in.
terests above referred to, which must ever be the nations first
care, since they form the chief support of a nations real pros.
perity. 1t shall likewise be my purpose to continue, and to
enlarge and improve, where this is possible. the splendid work
which has been and is now being done for the farming interests
in this district.
There is one phase of these matters in which | am particu-
larly interested. l have always been struck with this anomal-
GUS and to me unreasonable thing. Land fuctuates little in
value; it cannot be destroyed by fire or lost like personal prop
erty. Stock in manufactures or in banks have their value
largely dependent on the men managing them, while the value
of the land is in the land itself. And yet in spite Of all these
favorable elements that should make land ideal security for
loans, farmers have more trouble in securing loans and can
borrow a smaller percentage of the value of their security than
any other class of borrowers. ~
They will tell you, gentlemen; fnanciers and others will
tell you, that this is because a farm mortgage is not a liquid
asset; it cannot easily and quickly be converted into cash.
That may be true; doubtless is, but the fault is not with the
farm mortgage so much as with the laws of finance and trade.
Long time bonds are not more colectible than long time farm
loans, and are not more secure. But the laws of banking, the
laws of finance and trade have made a bond more marketable
than an equally good farm loan. And there is where the fault
lies.
This matter has received some attention and in my humble
opinion is the most important matter that the coming session
of Congress can take hold Of A commission has been sent to
various European countries where farmers have long enjoyed
banking facilities our people have never had, and its report has
been made to Congress. Accompanying this report is a bill,
the title of which is 'National Farm Land Act'' and proposes
TO create a bureau similar to the department. in the Treasury
Department of the Government that has charge of the National
Banking System. The Commissioner of this bureau reports to
Congress each year on all farm lands banks that may be organ.
lied under this act.
He is authorized under proper safe guards to charter farm
land banks. Particular provision is made for such banks in
states which have, by state laws, provided for the simplifcation
of land titles and simplfcation, ~promptness and economy of
foreclosing mortgages and deeds of trust. Mississippi at the
last session of the Legislature passed what is'known as the
Torrens Act under which a man with good title to his land can
have it SO declared by a Court, which meets the first require
ment, and our method of foreclosure also meet the requirements
above set out. ! national farm land hsnk when organized ID