Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 June 1874 — The Case Plainly Stated. [ARTICLE]

The Case Plainly Stated.

On the 4th instant the Grangers held a picnic at Delphi which was largely attended. They were addressed by Hon. Henley James, Master of the Indiana State Grange, a synopsis of whose speech as published by the Delphi Journal we append. Jt will be seen that Mrs J .nncs takes a cool, intelligent view of the political situation and in a few words sets out the objects and practical workings of the Order, socially, financially and politically.' After reading the facts concerning the’proynises broken by both political parties immediately following the last election, can any candid man wonder that people have lost'confidence in. those who betrayed and wronged them, and now want a third party organized ? Let the reflecting reader of Mr. James’ speech ponder over that portion which refers to the contest between capital and labor, and also reflect awhile about the trebled increase of State taxation since the war and since the payment of the State’s indebtedness, together with the mismanagement of our school revenue. In the State of Indiana and in Congress both of the old parties have leagued together time after time to pass laws by which the people were swindled and they—the office holders—lined their pockets with money. But here is the synopsis : There is a well established principle in philosophy that every cause must have its effect, and this is fully applicable to the great agitations which disturb the social, political, and financial concerns of life. As we observe the wonderful mauner in which the agricultural portion of our people are aroused we naturally ask and seek the cause. It is Well known that for years the farming community has bestowed more labor and realized less remuneration than any other cfciss. They qufefly submitted to this condition of things and bore it without complaint until forbearance ceased tobe a virtue, AS the farmers are the producers of the wealth they should have justice. This, and this alone, y/e demand. —

We have no desire to interfere with those engaged in legitimate business, but there are those engaged in speculations which are antagonistic to the interest of farmers, and these we do not want. There is too much isolation amongst us. We have not hitherto met and exchanged our views, discoveries, and experiences as we should have done, consequently as a class we have been imposed upon by patent right men and confidence men generally. This evil we hope to remedy in the Grange. There is much injustice done us through some classes of middid’men who have made more money from our labor than we realize ourselves. We, by the sweat of our brows, produce the grain and live iu humble abodes with too often the scanty necessaries of life, while they who handle it live in palatial residences surrounded by all the luxuries that wealth can command. We want to dispense with this class. There has also been too great a margin of profit in much of the agricultural machinery we use. While at the National Grange in St. Louis, the representatives of many of the great manufacturing establishments of our country were present and assured us that they were willing to sell to *s direct at 25 to 30 per cent, less than we have been in the habit of paying.— We also hope fco establish the cash system of business, believing it advantageous to producer and consumer, to buyer and seller. It is estimated that the agricultural people in Indiana have saved near one million of dollars through this organization in one year; yet even this enormous sum is insignificant compared with the social improvement brought about through its instrumentality. There is another class violently opposed to this Grange Movement. 1 refer to broken dowu professional politicians. They almost think themselves divinely called to furnish brains for farmers. I predict they will soon retire from business. Hitherto farmers have sadly underrated tlieir abilities and have had to pay dearly for advice. I have said that injustice to farmers was the cause of this Grange Movement. In the fierce contest between capital and labor this organization arose iu its might to the support of labor. We have no war to wage against capital when its operations are kept within proper limits; and believe that to secure a healthy condition in the commerce of the world labor and capital should have equal rights, the one not infringing upon the other. But capital seems to have absolute control not only in business concerns but even in the legislative, executive and judiciary branches of government, both State and National. Money elects the legislator, money enacts the laws, and money influences the courts from the police* to the supreme. There is much complaint about higli taxes. During the progress of the war when the Govern an immense army to equip, clotheWni feed, high taxes were not grumbled at, but when the day of peace arrived we naturally enough expected a reduction of taxation. But what have been the facts? Instead of reducing Ahem they have been increased. The ratio of taxation lias been increased from five to fifteen percent, anil property appraised at nearly double its former appraisement. What was this for? The'State boasted of being out of debt: no public works of Importance were in progress or in contemplation, ami there was no necessity' for such increase. But the revenue was nearly trebled and then sprang up the necessity of disbursing ix'rapidly; consequently the same legislators who increased this levy created new offices i'or the accommodation of disappointed politicians, ami finding j there still would be a large surplus of I revenue became alarmed at the prosj peetive wealth of the State and raised j their own wages which had been five I dollars to eight dollars per day. No blame should be attached to the treasurers or tax collectors, as they are bound under strict law to perform the duties of their office. Money is wortii ten to twelve and even fifteen per cent., yet at the present ratio of appraisement and taxation the land—our capital—is not producing three per cent. I ask, is this just and right? There is another matter: Indiana boasts of the largest school fund and best system of public instruction of any State in the Union, yet it is complained that there is not money enough, and it is really becoming burdensome. The last report of our Superintendent of Public Schools makes the startling exhibit that it costs twelve dollars per scholar for a term of sixty days. We know that our teachers do not realize the onefourth of this sum for thejr services. Where does the other three-fourths findtv resting place? Our great aim in addition to our social and intellectual improvement, is to effect a salutary change in legisAt the opening of the last campaign both political parties made earnest pledges to reform and* economy in public affairs. The election passed off, officers assumed their stations, ana the first gigantic reform that came to our ears was the Credit Mobilier, which cost us millions of dollars. The next wits the bill increasing the salaries of members of Congress, eta, usually known as the Salary Grab, and for the benefit of many who had assisted in the Credit Mobilier swindle, and dlff not expect to be re-elected the bill was made retroactive in its character, so that it reached back and allowed them the benefit of the increase for two years previous to its enactment. lam a life-long Republican and have always voted that ticket, and could not vote the Democratic, but I have cut loose from party and expect to vote for the man according to his qualifications. — In conclusion I will state that wo only ask right and justice, and as we cannot allow politics to enter into the councils of the Grange, we ask and demand that honesty and capability shall be the only test for office. Coal tar dissolved in naptha is recommended as a cheap and effieent marking fluid.