Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 January 1895 — WHY PRICES ARE LOW. [ARTICLE]

WHY PRICES ARE LOW.

4 The re-election of Senator Cullom, of Illinois, is a good thing, because he is a good, safe, strong man in the Senate. The almost unanimous vote for him in the Republican caucus is another instance of the. effectiveness of the Chicago Tribune’s work Nothing helps a man much better among Illinois Republicans than to have old man Medill, of the Tribune, j ump on him right hard for a few weeks. Those who have attempted to solicit contributions here for the Nebraska sufferers, have been much discouraged by the frequency of the plea, that there are so many right here needing help, that our people ought not to do anything to relieve the wants existing on so immensley greater scale in the west This is surely not the right way to look at this matter. If the people of every community which has destitution of its own to look after, makes that fact grounds for declining to assist in relieving the greater destitution further off, then the result would be that our brethren in the west would be left to perish miserably in their cold, hunger and nakedness; and the very name of American would deserve to be a reproach aud a shame forever. To relieve the suffering that is near us and also to do our full share towards relieving that further away, is the true principle.

Just now, before the time has . quite arrived for the ground hog to give the signal for the annual crop of candidates to crawl out of their winter quarters, we feel like saying a few words in regard to the custom prevailing in Rensselaer of frequent changes in the office of Town Marshal. In that office, vastly more than in any other, its effectiveness and value to the people depends upon the personality of the man. The functions of Town Treasurers and Town Clerks, are mainly of a clerical order, in a plainly marked path, and one man can do them about as well as another. Not so the duties of a Town Marshal. In that office, the one who is always hustling about looking for places in streets and walks that need his attention; and is faithful, vigilant and fearles s in firing tramps, and otherwise preserving public order, is a rare jewel in the crown of any town; while the Marshal who fails in these things is not worth his salt.

Another thing: Even if a man has the “stuff” in him for ithe making of a good Town Marshal, it takes him several months to sufficiently learn the ropes to be of much account in the office; and to arrive at full efficiency takes a year or two. In view of these facts, and speaking for the “greatest good to the greatest number” the custom. prevailing in most towns of getting a good man for Marshal, and re-electing him,J year after year, is much to be commended; while the opposite custom of electing a new man just as soon as the old man begins to acquire a fair degree of efficiency, is not to be commendeda little bit.

The provraions of Senator Wishard’s proposed legislative apportionment were published a few days ego. The bill has the endorsement of the apportionment committees of both houses, and will undoubtedly become a law. It is identical, with a bill introduced twp years ago by Senator Wi&hftrd: it is Absolutely fair fvswwwßwj *w . mana a |

politically, and being so, the Democratic majority of two years ago, gave it no consideration. On the basis of the vote of 18 J 2, the last presidential election, if the Democrats carry the state by 7QOO majority, they will elect 26 senators and 52 representatives or a majority of both houses. If the Republicans carry the state by the same majority, they will have the same majority in the legislature as in the previous case the Democrats would. As the districts are arranged by the proposed bill, it is sought to m&ke them as equal as practicable in voting population. The unit of representation is 11,020 voters for a senator, and 5510 for a representative. In getting as close to thia unit as could be done, of course some districts will be made np in a manner to cause some disappointment and dissatisfaction. In this respect we presume the people of Jasper and Newton counties will be more displeased than those of most any other counties. Instead of Newton and Jasper being put together in a Representative district, with one representative, as they have so long been, they with White and Pulaski are all joined together, with two tives, elected jointly by the four counties. The reason for this is found in the fact that Newton and Jasper together have so much smaller population than White and Pulaski’s combined population, that the fairest way seemed to be to put all four counties together, in the manner proposed. In the senatorial matter too, the new division will be more unfavorable for us here than the old.Before, Benton, Jasper and Newton had a senator. Now Benton, Jasper, Newton and White, are to compose the senatorial district. Thus in both houses of the legislature, Jasper and Newton will have less comparative strength under this new law than they have under the old deal.

The wheat crop of the Argentine Republic for 1894 is estimated at 2,000,000 tons, or about 66,000,000 bushels. Of this at least 49,500,000 are for exportation. This augurs unfavorably as to the wheat grown in the United States. If it be true that wheat growing does not pay the United States farmer, what are the most rational methods of restoring wheat culture to to its former profitable state? Plainly by a reduction of wheat crop, or by an increase of the demand for wheat, or, better still, by both. Reduction of the wheat crop necessitates the cultivation of the diminished wheat crop for some other crop. For the farmer cannot let his acres lie idle. Beet crops would pe profitable if beetsugar refineries werb numerous. But by repealing the bounty on American-made sugar the new tariff has lessened the demand for beet crops. Flax would be a profitable crop if linen factories

were numerous. But by reducing the amount of protection given to linen manufactures the new tariff has lessened the demand for flax. Wool used to be a profitable crop. But by repealing the wool duties the new tariff has ruined the wool industries. Thus the Democratic free trade policy circumscribes the number of crops available to the farmer. It prevents him from growing new crops in place of the wheat that it has lowered in price by sending American money abroad in exchange for articles that should have been produced at home. For it is to be kept in mind that Europe has not bought more from us in proportion as we have bought more from it. Large parts of the profits that England has made on our purchases of manufactured goods have been invested in the devdopement of East Indian and Argentine railways and wheat fields. To get cheaper wheat and cheaper raw cotton has been the steadfast aim of Great Britain, and in some degree of dl*of Western Europe.

And we have (.been aiding them to do it United States money has been spent, in the last analysis of its expenditure, in enabling some foreign nations to buy from other foreign nations more cheaply than they can buy from Os. Therefore wheat is quoted at 50 cents in markets where it used to be cheap at sl, and cotton sells at 5 cents where it used to sell for 15 cents. —lnter Ocean.