Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1888 — Prices Now and Then. [ARTICLE]

Prices Now and Then.

The South Bend Tribune has made a careful examination of prices of farm and and store products,;?which is of great value in the discussion of the tariff question. It shows conclusively how much better off the farmers are under the protective system than they were under the free trade system between 1840 and 1860. The Tribune has taken the prices from account books, the day books of four farmers furnishing the information concerning the prices of 1858. According to the figures a farmer sold his produce at the following rates in 1858: Wheat, per bushel : $ 63« Wood, per cord.—. ...... . 2.50 Hay, per ton 6.0 D Corn,per bushel 25 Oats, per bushel.... .. 23 Eggs, per d0zen......, 06 Butter, per pound .... 10 Total., $9,771 He bought artiles needed by him at the following prices: 1 Studebaker wagon... $130.00 Rio coffee per lb 15 Brown sugar, per lb . II Granulated sugar, per lb ~ 15 Rice, per lb 4 07 Green tea, per lb 1.00 Syrup - 75 Salt, per barrel...,,. .. • . 2.40 Ovara Is, per pair 50 Calico, per yard ; .. 12| Bleached muslin per yard./:...... 16 1 set granite cups and saucer*.... 75 1 set plates ........... ..... 75 1 set knives and forks 1.50 1 dozen half pint tumblers 1,50 Wheat sack... 30 T0ta1....y. $140.21 J The prices < n 1888 for produce are as follows: Wheat...;.......... $ 88 Wood, per cord r 5.00 Hay per t0n.... , 12.00 Corn, per bushel ~ 50 Oats, per bushel . ..< 30 Eggs, per doz 14 Butter, per lb 15 Total $18.97 While the farmer pays for what be needs as follows: 1 Studebaker wagon.., ...»$65.00 Rio coffee per 1b..?..?....... .......... 20 Brown sugar, per lb 06 Granulated sugar, per lb. i. 09 Rice, per 1b... 08 Green tea, per 1b...... 75 Syrup, per gallon 45 Salt, per barrel ........ 1.(*5 Overalls, per pair ........ 40 Calico, per yard...... 05 Bleached muslin, per yard 09 1 set granite cups and saucers 45 One set granite plates 45 1 set-knives and forks _...... 60 1 dozen half pint tumblers 60 Wheat sacks 21 Total .........$68.48 The difference is enormous. In the free trade era the farmer sold produce at the rate of $9 77 j for which he now receives $18.97, very nearly double. And he bought articles for which he paid $140.211. which he could now purchase for $69.48.