Page 1 |
Previous | 1 of 16 | Next |
|
|
Loading content ...
VOL. XXV. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., APRIL 26, 1890. NO. 17 l^mtatl 3£-c_islali0u. Editors Indiana Farmer: In a back number of the Fabmeb you ask the farmers to contribute their ideas upon needed legislation. You also suggest a reduction in fees and salaries. Now in my judgment you have hit the nail on the head. Brother farmers, let us wake up to our interests on this subject. We are carrying a heavy burden upon our shoulders that we are fully able to remove if we will set tho machinery to work, and now is the timo to make our wants known. My plan of starting the movement would be for the counties or townships in the State that have not yet chosen delegates to represent them in their county and joint ^Representative Conventions, to see to it that they have the right kind of men to represent them. Any farmer who understands his business thoroughly, and has made farming a success, is capable of legislating for the mass of the people. The present ditch law of the State makes it the duty of the county auditor to sell all allotments of a public ditch. Now there was recently sold 252 allotments of a public drain by the auditor of DeKalb county in one day, he receiving $2 00 for each allotment, making a total of $504 in a single day, besides his salary. How is that for unjust taxation ? Shall we as farmers sit idly by and allow it ever to be thus, or shall we call a halt? The people in this part of the State are awakened to their interests on this subject, but are at a loss to know the proper course to pursue to obtain the best results. J. S. L. Butler. Reduce Fees and Salaries. Editors Indiana Farmer: The fees and salaries of Federal, State and local officers were fixed during the inflated prices caused by redundent currency, issued under the fiat of war. Then the laborer received §2 per day and had constant employment. Now he receives about half that and is much of his time without employment. Then the farmer's produce commanded more than double the price it does now. Now those receiving such salaries are the leaders of society, the moulders of such fashions and estab- lishers of such customs as farmers' incomes will not justify. But farmers have fancied that by using greater exertion in their vocation, putting more commodities on the markets, by their own labor, and employing less wage labor, they will make more money and be able to level themselves up with their official neighbors. Here a mistake was made. Over exertion brings over production, while the laborers (who are always consumers) do not consume near so much as they would if profitably employed. Hence the markets are oppressed for want of customers. Fanners cannot obtain prices that will compensate their over work; or that will justify the taxation imposed upon them and their property. Whilst wage laborers, that deserving class, that class who, of all others, should be full fed and well clothed, that class whose families should be fully prepared to reap the full benefit of free school, for want of employment, for want of a fair chance at life's bounties, are denied many of the good things the markets afford, greatly to the discomfort of tnem- selves and families. And as each farmer is compelled to let down under such embarrassments one more is added to that unfortunate class. Buoyant markets cannot be expected when the masses of the people have no opportunity to acquire means with which to patronize them. And without affording opportunity for all to labor, the republic is ungrateful and we we are a miserable, if not a sinful people. One great and essential move toward remedying this state of affairs will be the reduction of official fees and salaries to such an extent as to somewhat restrain extravagance in that quarter, and make the reduction of taxes possible. And then work to turn our whole political system into the road leading toward honesty, industry and economy, which will, if we can follow it, guide us to a more enjoyable state of existence. It should be the motive in all legislation to tako care of the masses of people. To reduce official salaries, about 40 per cent, would leave that much money now being collected off tax payers, where it could be paid to laborers for much needed services on the farms, to the great benefit of all, and yet leave official services well rewarded. M. B. K. Aurora. _>0t:0ttm gzpixxtnxmt Letter From Mr. Leitzman. Editors Indiana Farmer: _ In a short editorial in your last issue, under the above caption, you announce to your subscribers, that I will answer all questions concerning sorgum that they may wish to present. Now there is evidently some misunderstanding about this matter, I am ready and willing to contribute my mite for the benefit of others and answer all reasonable questions that may come within the range and compass of my limited knowledge, but as my knowledge is quite limited, many questions may be asked which I cannot answer. I am only one of the many sorgum manufacturers in Indiana and adjoining States, who are willing to contribute to the ;Sorgum ^Department of your paper many of whom are much better qualified to do so than myself and would suggest that you extend to all such, a general invitation to send in all items of interest concerning our industry, and since you have kindly offered to give us a department in your paper, let us all work together to make it a success. Clayton. W. F. Leitzman. —Very well. We shall be glad to hear from others who have experience in sorgum culture, but we have such faith in friend Leitzman's knowledge of the subject that we think he is abundantly able to conduct the department, to the satisfaction of all concerned.—Eds. Varieties. Edltora Indiana Farmer: In answer to the question, what varieties of sorgum do you recommend, and why? I would say, much depends upon the climate and locality. There is no variety that does equally well in all climates or in all localities in the same latitude, as much depends on the constitutents of the soil. In sections of the country where sorgum has been grown for a number of years, experience has generally shown what varieties are best adapted to that locality, experience has also shown that it is not always good policy to exchange that which has done fairly well for something new and untried. For the benefit of those living in sections where sorgum has not beon cultivated to any great extent, I would say it is desirable to plant those varieties that are pretty sure to mature before frost, and in sections where the length of the season will permit, two or more varieties should be planted embracing both early and late, so as to prolong the working season, but in the more northern range where the seasons are short, only those varieties which mature early should be planted. Among the early varieties the Early Amber stands at the head and is a general favorite both north and south. : It will mature in 90 to 100 days from time of coining up. The next best early cane I would recommend is Link's Hybrid, which ripens nearly with the Amber, possibly a few days later. The late varieties are numerous and many are unworthy of cultivation. Of the varioties which seem to give the best results the Early Orange, Liberian and Handuras, are my favorite kinds. I would givo them preference in the order in which they aro named. The Orange will mature in about 115 days; Liberian and Handuras in about 125 days from time of coming through the ground. I have no seed to sell. W. F. L. Clayton. Written for the Indiana Farmer. Transportation—No. 5. BY JOHN M.'STAHL. In our last we saw that* if government owned and controlled railroads it would end extortionate charges at once, and keep the profits of railroading diffused through the community. Government ownership would secure another decided advantage, somewhat akin to this, to tho people; it would prevent the growth of many oppressive, artificial monopolies. The worst artificial monopolies now in the country have been built up by the unjust discrimination of railroads, a discrimination that the inter-State Commerce law only partially reduces. If the railroads were owned and operated by the Government, there would be no more Standard Oil Companies made so rich and powerful by special freight rates that they could corrupt the courts and buy their way to the United States Senate. But a yet greater advantage would be economy. Let the ownership of railways be in a competent government and there would be no need of parallel lines or of lines reaching the same territory. We have encouraged the building of parallel lines or lines reaching the same territory in hopes of that competition which would lower rates. But though the rates have been lowered, they cannot be so low as they would be, had the ownership of rail roads been vested in the Government, for then the traffic would have to pay the expenses of operating only one line and a fair interest on the investment, whereas now it must be made to pay the operating expenses of two or more roads and a fair interest on two to four times their cost. Already the construction of parallel lines has led to enormous waste and unless the Government assumes proprietorship of the railroad this waste will be comparatively and, absolutely greater in the future, as the mileage per area increases. The construction of the West Shore and the Nickle Plate—both needless—wasted over §200,000,000 The lines before existing were competent to handle far more freight than they and the other two roads named now handle. AVe are not yet aware of the carrying capacity of a well equipped road. We have not come near such a test on any of our roads. The road that now handles the most freight could easily handle twice as much. Municipal proprietorship of gas works, water works, electric lighting works, etc., has been abundantly tested in this country, and has demonstrated a saving of at least one-half. Nor is this economy obtained at the expense of less efficient service. On the contary, while the expense has been reduced from 40 to 65 per cent, better service has been obtained. There is no good reason why government would not give us better railroad service than we now get. In European countries the telegraph is owned and operated by the governments, while tho charges are much less than in tbis county, and the facilities are far, far superior. Another thing, it is not true that private enterprise takes the initiative in improvements. The English telegraph is using improvements unknown to the American. Government went ahead of private corporations in publishing accounts. In our own country, the post- office, a busiuess owned and controlled by the government is much better managed than any private business of like character or approaching it in magnitude. It is superior to the express. Mail matter travels faster than express matter, as any reader may easily demonstrate. Mail matter travels the more surely. I am connected with a business that sends out annually above 50,000 letters, with postal cards galore and that receives as many as it sends out. Not one in 5,000 fails to reach its destination promptly. This has been the experience during ten years, covering two alleged demoralizations of the post- office by political changes. No matter how poorly a letter is directed, if it is directed at all it will reach its destination. Would not this same care aud efficiency extend to railroads? Yes; even more. For the risk would be greater and public opinion would demand more. A man may bo somewhat indifferent about his mail, but not about his life. For this reason tho government would be compelled to give us a better service than we now get. Administrations could not afford to put incompetent men on railway engines. One Chatsworth accident would wreck a party; tho loss of a dozen lives, through fault of the administration, would wreck that administration. How that accident would be treated by opposition journals! Incompetency or carelessness could thus bo punished by the people were railroads government property, apd the punishment would be effective, for it would lead to reform. Now, wo are helpless; wo cannot turn out the present railroad managers; for an accident the poor engineer is pun- . ished, but there is no way to reach the princely manager, who has hired an incompetent man because he would work a little cheaper or has overworked a competent man until he is irresponsible. Now, the railway managers may say, "The public be damned." But if the government owned and operated the road the people could do the damning; they would have a sure and certain remedy. Quincy, 111. • —■ . Does Farming Pay? Editors Indiana Farmer: I believe I will have to write a few linos to say that farming is not a paying business as a general thing. You will find a few like T. W. who think it pays. I think almost any farmer could make it pay if he had the chance that Mr. T. W. had. As he said whon he started out, he had nothing, but he got to crop with W. S., who furnisLed everything, boarded him and gave him one-third of all he raised. That was a good chance. Then he married a girl with about -?500 or §000 and her father had lots of land. He rented him his home farm and ho lived by the old man for seven years, getting two-thirds of what he raised and all the pasture he wanted for furnishing the seed. He had a large barn to store all his grain as soon as it was harvested. You will find a few farmers like that, and if they don't make money whose fault is it? O. K. Enough Said. Editors Indiana Farmer: No doubt Dr. Robinson is getting somewhat tired of his articles being so severely criticised and assailed from all sides by different correspondents, through the col- ums of the Fabmeb. I am glad that so many of the readers were so quick to tako exceptions to his article, and from practical results have showed him the folly of his very theoretical and almost unreasonable extravagance of farm life, as described in his article. I for one think the discussion has been done justice, and suggest that it be stopped, and the difierent correspondents to givo attention to something of more practical profit to the readers of the Fabmer. J. P. M. Logansport. . St. . All kinds of fruit is in bloom, and most kinds are very full.
Object Description
Title | Indiana farmer, 1890, v. 25, no. 17 (Apr. 26) |
Purdue Identification Number | INFA2517 |
Date of Original | 1890 |
Subjects (LCSH) |
Agriculture Farm management Horticulture Agricultural machinery |
Subjects (NALT) |
agriculture farm management horticulture agricultural machinery and equipment |
Genre | Periodical |
Call Number of Original | 630.5 In2 |
Location of Original | Hicks Repository |
Coverage | United States - Indiana |
Type | text |
Format | JP2 |
Language | eng |
Collection Title | Indiana Farmer |
Rights Statement | Content in the Indiana Farmer Collection is in the public domain (published before 1923) or lacks a known copyright holder. Digital images in the collection may be used for educational, non-commercial, or not-for-profit purposes. |
Repository | Purdue University Libraries |
Date Digitized | 2011-01-20 |
Digitization Information | Original scanned at 300 ppi on a Bookeye 3 scanner using internal software. Display images generated in CONTENTdm as JP2000s; file format for archival copy is uncompressed TIF format. |
Description
Title | Page 1 |
Subjects (LCSH) |
Agriculture Farm management Horticulture Agricultural machinery |
Subjects (NALT) |
agriculture farm management horticulture agricultural machinery and equipment |
Genre | Periodical |
Call Number of Original | 630.5 In2 |
Location of Original | Hicks Repository |
Coverage | Indiana |
Type | text |
Format | JP2 |
Language | eng |
Collection Title | Indiana Farmer |
Rights Statement | Content in the Indiana Farmer Collection is in the public domain (published before 1923) or lacks a known copyright holder. Digital images in the collection may be used for educational, non-commercial, or non-for-profit purposes. |
Repository | Purdue University Libraries |
Digitization Information | Orignal scanned at 300 ppi on a Bookeye 3 scanner using internal software. Display images generated in CONTENTdm as JP2000s; file format for archival copy is uncompressed TIF format. |
Transcript | VOL. XXV. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., APRIL 26, 1890. NO. 17 l^mtatl 3£-c_islali0u. Editors Indiana Farmer: In a back number of the Fabmeb you ask the farmers to contribute their ideas upon needed legislation. You also suggest a reduction in fees and salaries. Now in my judgment you have hit the nail on the head. Brother farmers, let us wake up to our interests on this subject. We are carrying a heavy burden upon our shoulders that we are fully able to remove if we will set tho machinery to work, and now is the timo to make our wants known. My plan of starting the movement would be for the counties or townships in the State that have not yet chosen delegates to represent them in their county and joint ^Representative Conventions, to see to it that they have the right kind of men to represent them. Any farmer who understands his business thoroughly, and has made farming a success, is capable of legislating for the mass of the people. The present ditch law of the State makes it the duty of the county auditor to sell all allotments of a public ditch. Now there was recently sold 252 allotments of a public drain by the auditor of DeKalb county in one day, he receiving $2 00 for each allotment, making a total of $504 in a single day, besides his salary. How is that for unjust taxation ? Shall we as farmers sit idly by and allow it ever to be thus, or shall we call a halt? The people in this part of the State are awakened to their interests on this subject, but are at a loss to know the proper course to pursue to obtain the best results. J. S. L. Butler. Reduce Fees and Salaries. Editors Indiana Farmer: The fees and salaries of Federal, State and local officers were fixed during the inflated prices caused by redundent currency, issued under the fiat of war. Then the laborer received §2 per day and had constant employment. Now he receives about half that and is much of his time without employment. Then the farmer's produce commanded more than double the price it does now. Now those receiving such salaries are the leaders of society, the moulders of such fashions and estab- lishers of such customs as farmers' incomes will not justify. But farmers have fancied that by using greater exertion in their vocation, putting more commodities on the markets, by their own labor, and employing less wage labor, they will make more money and be able to level themselves up with their official neighbors. Here a mistake was made. Over exertion brings over production, while the laborers (who are always consumers) do not consume near so much as they would if profitably employed. Hence the markets are oppressed for want of customers. Fanners cannot obtain prices that will compensate their over work; or that will justify the taxation imposed upon them and their property. Whilst wage laborers, that deserving class, that class who, of all others, should be full fed and well clothed, that class whose families should be fully prepared to reap the full benefit of free school, for want of employment, for want of a fair chance at life's bounties, are denied many of the good things the markets afford, greatly to the discomfort of tnem- selves and families. And as each farmer is compelled to let down under such embarrassments one more is added to that unfortunate class. Buoyant markets cannot be expected when the masses of the people have no opportunity to acquire means with which to patronize them. And without affording opportunity for all to labor, the republic is ungrateful and we we are a miserable, if not a sinful people. One great and essential move toward remedying this state of affairs will be the reduction of official fees and salaries to such an extent as to somewhat restrain extravagance in that quarter, and make the reduction of taxes possible. And then work to turn our whole political system into the road leading toward honesty, industry and economy, which will, if we can follow it, guide us to a more enjoyable state of existence. It should be the motive in all legislation to tako care of the masses of people. To reduce official salaries, about 40 per cent, would leave that much money now being collected off tax payers, where it could be paid to laborers for much needed services on the farms, to the great benefit of all, and yet leave official services well rewarded. M. B. K. Aurora. _>0t:0ttm gzpixxtnxmt Letter From Mr. Leitzman. Editors Indiana Farmer: _ In a short editorial in your last issue, under the above caption, you announce to your subscribers, that I will answer all questions concerning sorgum that they may wish to present. Now there is evidently some misunderstanding about this matter, I am ready and willing to contribute my mite for the benefit of others and answer all reasonable questions that may come within the range and compass of my limited knowledge, but as my knowledge is quite limited, many questions may be asked which I cannot answer. I am only one of the many sorgum manufacturers in Indiana and adjoining States, who are willing to contribute to the ;Sorgum ^Department of your paper many of whom are much better qualified to do so than myself and would suggest that you extend to all such, a general invitation to send in all items of interest concerning our industry, and since you have kindly offered to give us a department in your paper, let us all work together to make it a success. Clayton. W. F. Leitzman. —Very well. We shall be glad to hear from others who have experience in sorgum culture, but we have such faith in friend Leitzman's knowledge of the subject that we think he is abundantly able to conduct the department, to the satisfaction of all concerned.—Eds. Varieties. Edltora Indiana Farmer: In answer to the question, what varieties of sorgum do you recommend, and why? I would say, much depends upon the climate and locality. There is no variety that does equally well in all climates or in all localities in the same latitude, as much depends on the constitutents of the soil. In sections of the country where sorgum has been grown for a number of years, experience has generally shown what varieties are best adapted to that locality, experience has also shown that it is not always good policy to exchange that which has done fairly well for something new and untried. For the benefit of those living in sections where sorgum has not beon cultivated to any great extent, I would say it is desirable to plant those varieties that are pretty sure to mature before frost, and in sections where the length of the season will permit, two or more varieties should be planted embracing both early and late, so as to prolong the working season, but in the more northern range where the seasons are short, only those varieties which mature early should be planted. Among the early varieties the Early Amber stands at the head and is a general favorite both north and south. : It will mature in 90 to 100 days from time of coining up. The next best early cane I would recommend is Link's Hybrid, which ripens nearly with the Amber, possibly a few days later. The late varieties are numerous and many are unworthy of cultivation. Of the varioties which seem to give the best results the Early Orange, Liberian and Handuras, are my favorite kinds. I would givo them preference in the order in which they aro named. The Orange will mature in about 115 days; Liberian and Handuras in about 125 days from time of coming through the ground. I have no seed to sell. W. F. L. Clayton. Written for the Indiana Farmer. Transportation—No. 5. BY JOHN M.'STAHL. In our last we saw that* if government owned and controlled railroads it would end extortionate charges at once, and keep the profits of railroading diffused through the community. Government ownership would secure another decided advantage, somewhat akin to this, to tho people; it would prevent the growth of many oppressive, artificial monopolies. The worst artificial monopolies now in the country have been built up by the unjust discrimination of railroads, a discrimination that the inter-State Commerce law only partially reduces. If the railroads were owned and operated by the Government, there would be no more Standard Oil Companies made so rich and powerful by special freight rates that they could corrupt the courts and buy their way to the United States Senate. But a yet greater advantage would be economy. Let the ownership of railways be in a competent government and there would be no need of parallel lines or of lines reaching the same territory. We have encouraged the building of parallel lines or lines reaching the same territory in hopes of that competition which would lower rates. But though the rates have been lowered, they cannot be so low as they would be, had the ownership of rail roads been vested in the Government, for then the traffic would have to pay the expenses of operating only one line and a fair interest on the investment, whereas now it must be made to pay the operating expenses of two or more roads and a fair interest on two to four times their cost. Already the construction of parallel lines has led to enormous waste and unless the Government assumes proprietorship of the railroad this waste will be comparatively and, absolutely greater in the future, as the mileage per area increases. The construction of the West Shore and the Nickle Plate—both needless—wasted over §200,000,000 The lines before existing were competent to handle far more freight than they and the other two roads named now handle. AVe are not yet aware of the carrying capacity of a well equipped road. We have not come near such a test on any of our roads. The road that now handles the most freight could easily handle twice as much. Municipal proprietorship of gas works, water works, electric lighting works, etc., has been abundantly tested in this country, and has demonstrated a saving of at least one-half. Nor is this economy obtained at the expense of less efficient service. On the contary, while the expense has been reduced from 40 to 65 per cent, better service has been obtained. There is no good reason why government would not give us better railroad service than we now get. In European countries the telegraph is owned and operated by the governments, while tho charges are much less than in tbis county, and the facilities are far, far superior. Another thing, it is not true that private enterprise takes the initiative in improvements. The English telegraph is using improvements unknown to the American. Government went ahead of private corporations in publishing accounts. In our own country, the post- office, a busiuess owned and controlled by the government is much better managed than any private business of like character or approaching it in magnitude. It is superior to the express. Mail matter travels faster than express matter, as any reader may easily demonstrate. Mail matter travels the more surely. I am connected with a business that sends out annually above 50,000 letters, with postal cards galore and that receives as many as it sends out. Not one in 5,000 fails to reach its destination promptly. This has been the experience during ten years, covering two alleged demoralizations of the post- office by political changes. No matter how poorly a letter is directed, if it is directed at all it will reach its destination. Would not this same care aud efficiency extend to railroads? Yes; even more. For the risk would be greater and public opinion would demand more. A man may bo somewhat indifferent about his mail, but not about his life. For this reason tho government would be compelled to give us a better service than we now get. Administrations could not afford to put incompetent men on railway engines. One Chatsworth accident would wreck a party; tho loss of a dozen lives, through fault of the administration, would wreck that administration. How that accident would be treated by opposition journals! Incompetency or carelessness could thus bo punished by the people were railroads government property, apd the punishment would be effective, for it would lead to reform. Now, wo are helpless; wo cannot turn out the present railroad managers; for an accident the poor engineer is pun- . ished, but there is no way to reach the princely manager, who has hired an incompetent man because he would work a little cheaper or has overworked a competent man until he is irresponsible. Now, the railway managers may say, "The public be damned." But if the government owned and operated the road the people could do the damning; they would have a sure and certain remedy. Quincy, 111. • —■ . Does Farming Pay? Editors Indiana Farmer: I believe I will have to write a few linos to say that farming is not a paying business as a general thing. You will find a few like T. W. who think it pays. I think almost any farmer could make it pay if he had the chance that Mr. T. W. had. As he said whon he started out, he had nothing, but he got to crop with W. S., who furnisLed everything, boarded him and gave him one-third of all he raised. That was a good chance. Then he married a girl with about -?500 or §000 and her father had lots of land. He rented him his home farm and ho lived by the old man for seven years, getting two-thirds of what he raised and all the pasture he wanted for furnishing the seed. He had a large barn to store all his grain as soon as it was harvested. You will find a few farmers like that, and if they don't make money whose fault is it? O. K. Enough Said. Editors Indiana Farmer: No doubt Dr. Robinson is getting somewhat tired of his articles being so severely criticised and assailed from all sides by different correspondents, through the col- ums of the Fabmeb. I am glad that so many of the readers were so quick to tako exceptions to his article, and from practical results have showed him the folly of his very theoretical and almost unreasonable extravagance of farm life, as described in his article. I for one think the discussion has been done justice, and suggest that it be stopped, and the difierent correspondents to givo attention to something of more practical profit to the readers of the Fabmer. J. P. M. Logansport. . St. . All kinds of fruit is in bloom, and most kinds are very full. |
Tags
Comments
Post a Comment for Page 1