Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1897 — FARMERS CONGRATULATED. [ARTICLE]

FARMERS CONGRATULATED.

An Improvement in the Price of Most Products of the Farm. The National Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, convened in the Supreme Court chamber at Harrisburg, Pa. Delegates from almost all the States represented in the national body were present. National Master J. H. Brigham, assistant Secre-tary-of Agriculture, was in the ehair and submitted his annual report. He said: We have reason to rejoice over the marked Improvement in the prices of most products of the farm. The prices now-received are not burdensome to the consumer but rc-niuneratlve-tp the farmer and if maintained will cause a marked advance in the value of farm lands, it ts'also a highly gratifying sign of the times that the business failures iu tho South and Southwest in July, August and September of the present year represented in the aggregate of their liabilities only $4,394,000, as compared with $11,498,000 during the corresponding period of the preceding year. Earnest efforts are being made to extend our markets in foreign countries and to secure the abolition of the discriminating restrictions and prohibitions unjustly maintained by certain foreign countries against the agricultural products. Congress will undoubtedly be urged by interested associations to appropriate largo sums of money to build dams, reservoirs and canals for the purpose of Irrigating the arid lands of the West. It Is not the policy of our grange to espouse the cause of any political party or indorse the policies advocated byelther, but when the people have settled the questions at issue, we accept their decision and try to secure for agriculture fair treatment In the legislation carrying Into effect the policy indorsed by the people.