34 THE GRANGER MOVEMENT 



The effect of this situation upon the agricultural population 

 was undoubtedly severe, and particularly so on those who, 

 lured by the high prices just after the war and the inducements 

 held out by the advancing railroads, had sought a field for more 

 extended operations in the new West, but had been barely 

 able to get under way when the depression began. Many 

 others, also, who had assumed a burden of debt in order to 

 purchase additional land and machinery, found themselves 

 with an increased investment, on part of which they were paying 

 exorbitant interest, while the returns remained stationary or 

 declined. Adding to this the other factors which have been 

 considered the treatment the farmers received at the hands 

 of the railway corporations, the large proportion of profits 

 consumed by the middlemen, an unjust protective tariff and a 

 depreciated currency, and finally an overgrown burden of debt 

 and taxation it is readily seen that the Granger movement 

 was not without economic foundation. 



FARMERS AND POLITICS 



The relative political power and position of those engaged 

 in agricultural pursuits was a much discussed subject during 

 the Granger period. In the early days of the republic, farming 

 was looked upon as the most suitable occupation for gentlemen, 

 and a large proportion of the positions of high political pre- 

 ferment were filled by men from the ranks of the agriculturists; 

 planters or farmers were to be found in considerable numbers, 

 serving as legislators, as executive officials, or in judicial posi- 

 tions; and the interests of agriculture were sure of adequate 

 consideration. Just previous to the Civil War the controlling 

 influence in national affairs had been for some time in the hands 

 of the planter element of the South, whose interests, apart 

 from the question of slavery, generally coincided with those of 

 agriculturists throughout the country. The commercial and 

 manufacturing classes, however, were rapidly forging to the 

 front, particularly in the North and East, and the Civil War 

 marks their definite triumph in national affairs over the agri- 

 cultural interests of the country as represented by the southern 





