Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1897 — TREMENDOUS LOSSES. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

TREMENDOUS LOSSES.

What Five Years of Free Trade Has Cost the American Farmers. Some remarkably impressive figures are set forth in a series of articles published by the “lowa State Register,” on the subject of “Farmers’ Losses by Free Trade.” From figures taken from official statistics of the Treasury Department and prepared under a freetrade administration, the “Register” obtains some startling conclusions. For example, it finds that In the four years of 1893 to 1896, Inclusive, the decreased consumption of wheal and corn directly attributed to “hard times” amounted to a total of 3,257,416,072 bushels, representing a farm value of $664,558,239, or an export value of more than $1,000,000,000. The loss on farm animals for the same four years is shown to be $2,560,422,968, and on oats and hay over $600,000,000. These are monstrous prices to pay for the experiment In free trade covering the period between March 4, 1893, and March 4, 1897. If to the losses of the farmer, .estimated at more than five billions of dollars,

are added the losses of the country In other ways, such’ as the decline in wages and in values of real estate, rents, merchandise, manufactured products, and profit-producing property of all kinds, the grand total reaches appalling proportions. It Is an object lesson which the people of the United States are grasping the full significance of as the shadows of adversity gradually give way to the sunlight of prosperity. In a recent issue the Economist drew attention to the extraordinary increase In the wealth of the farmer as shown in the effect of protection upon the values of the sheep and wool of the United States. Ewes which in 1894 sold in Ohio at 69 cents each now bring $3 to $4, while lambs and bucks have advanced in equal proportion. The Madison, Wis., Journal has the following to say about the report of the secretary of the Kansas City Live Stock Exchange on the great Increase in the market values of Jive stock: It is not from wheat alone that the Western farmers are reaping prosperity this year. The values of live stock of all kinds have increased on an average of about 25 per cent, and from the gTeat stock yards of Kansas City $40,000,000 more than in 1896 will be distributed among the producers. This is a statement made by the secretary of the Live Stock Exchange of Kansas City after careful calculation, and taking into consideration both the rise in values and the increase in receipts. Every steer now sold at the stock yards in that city brings from $6 to $8 more than the same kind of a steer brought a year ago; every calf, from $2 to $3 more; every hog, from $3 to $3.25 more, and every sheep, $1 more. The total value of all the live stock handled at that market this year will reach $125,000,000 and more. With these increased profits,from his live stock, added to the large returns for his wheat, the Western farmer is enjoying a season of remarkably good fortune and prosperity, and has good cause for rejoicing. The whole country has good cause for rejoicing, for prosperity begins at the farm and extends through every branch of human activity. When its harvest for the year 1897 shall have been fully reaped and reckoned, there will be a grand showing for protection.—American Economist. Calamity Croakers. An increase of about 40 per cent. In the customs revenue for October as compared with the preceding month of August ought to quiet the deficit apprehensions of any but the most hysterical among the calamity croakers. Nothing can quiet the apprehensions of that class of cranks. They would Joyfully welcome a bankrupt national treasury, no matter from what cause, if they could only twist it Into a free trade argument. Uncle Sam's Choice.