People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1894 — Croaker Croaks. [ARTICLE]

Croaker Croaks.

Ed. Pilot: I am glad that we have some privileges left us. I had the privilege of being in our County Institute a little while and while there heard some very interesting talk on farming, stock-raising, marketing. feeding, etc., with no politics about it. It was a successful, practical farmer giving his experience, but the poor, unlucky farmer of to-day, however much he may desire and strive, cannot attain the success of the speaker, the provisions are not broad enough. They are only sufficient for a few, and w he is one of the lucky ones. With labor and all its products measured by a single gold standard, tariff and taxes high, and with but §l3 or §l4 per capita how can general prosperity prevail among farmers? How’ can they, each and all of them, build barns and silos, and feed three hundred head of hogs, one hundred head of sheep, cattle, horses, etc. These higher attainments are possible to but a small per cent, under present prevailing conditions and were it possible for the majority, the result would be over-production and consequent lower prices. This enables us to see that our greatest need is incrersed consumption, with just sufficient protection to keep our manufacturing industries running at a reasonable profit, and a sufficient per capita circulation consumption, would be largely increased and prices raise proportionally. Without our home industries in full and effective operation and a per capita circulation ample and sufficient to do the business of the country on a cash basis, such a thing as general prosperity is an impossibility. In all of this Institute work there may be seen more or less political design and effort to hoodwink and decieve the credulous farmers. There is an effort to make them believe that their lack of thrift and prosperity is all owing to their lack of energy and intelligence, and that there is no blame elsewhere. In our Institute one old brother went back to the wooden moleboard for contrast and comparison. I have used the wooden moleboard and swung the cythe and cradle for 50 cents a day and I am always sorry for the mah who thinks the people have no right to complain because they are not so badly off as what they were fifty years ago. I believe in progress. I admire the ambition that however high the attainments desires and strives for something better. Another brother struck the right key when he cited the farmer who made his sons his partners in the business of the farm. Their personal interest called forth their best energies, w’hich led to the final success of the business and the boys, and if our government would call forth the best energies and efforts of her sons of toil, let her crush down the greedy, soulless corporations that are absorbing the wealth and crushing hope out of the hearts and energy out of the minds and bodies of the toiling masses, upon whose toil rests the perpetuity of the government. Let the intelligent, well disposed laboring people arise and with united voice say, “by the eternal, it shall be done.” Croaker.

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