New-York tribune., 1873-07-29
THE FARMERS WAR.
HISTORY OF THE CRAIG-LAwRENCE CON
TEST.

FARMERS DRIVEN FROM HIS SUPPORT by HIM
sELF AND HIS FRIENDS-TENETs OF THE NEW
PARTY ABOUT FoRNING-TIIE REPUBLICAN RANKS
WEAKENING.
IFRoM THR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRmUNE.l
PRINCETON, Bureau County, Ill.,, July 23.-
An abundant harvest and favorable weather for secur
Ing have taken the Of Central Illinois from
their familiar haunts In town, and the signs
OF great uprising of the people" are
more apparent in tho daily issues Of the
Chicago newspapers and the occs OF the general freight
agents than in the agricultural districts themselves
Stu one who puts himself I'm direct communication with
the farmers he passes from town to town cannot fail
10 discover degree or eamestness and determination
only shown occasions in questions Of politics
earnesncss In the study Of the great railroad problem
and determination solve H. II solution be possible
Bureau County has been sort Of center OF the move
ment thus far and It the weltodo farmers Of
Princeton and vicinity that catch more quickly
almost anywhereese the spirit that pervaded the
people late judicial election and learn their
opinions as 10 the future Of the movement.
The farmers say that they have been greatly mis-
represented by leadng Chicago journals and by almost
every Eastern newspaper that has commented on the
defeat OF Judge Lawrence, and Indignantly deny that
they voted for Judge Craig from any de
sire 70 pack the Supreme Bench OF this
State with pledged 10 decide questions Of
law In any particular way. As the movement which
resulted in Judge Craics nomination originated here,
OF the farmers version Of it, venture to repeat at
this late day the history that campaign detailed TO
me by OF its managers, Mr. John Ii. Bryant OF this
place. Judge Lawrence, he says, was nominated
nine years ago IN peoples convention
md elected by the farmers OF the
Fifth District over Judge Beckwith, now General
Solicitor OF the Alton Road He is man well read in
the law, OF unspo5ed private audpubc character and
an honest Judge. At the time lie is rather closet
student and such men are often likely to be- little
impracucable.
rHE FARMERS ALIENATED BY JUDGE LAwRENcEs ACTION.
Before much had been said about the election and
before any one had thought Of nominating opposing
candidate some Of Judge Lawrence friends circulated
apetiton among the members OF the bar requesting
him 10 become a candidate for reelection. None but at
orneys were invited TO sgn this petition, though many
others would have been glad to do So and when presented
the Judge the paper contained 256 names NO con-
gention was called by either party, and this petition
was the only nomination that Judge Lawrence received
Seeing that the people were be consulted at all in
relation 70 the candidate for whom they would be eX-
2ectcd 70 VOTE Mr. John H. Bryant introduced at reg
aar meeting Of the Bureau County Farmers Associa-
ton, resolution declaring the interest OF the people
IN the election, and il agreed that, without assum
ing any authority in the matter the Association should
call convention Of the people Tor the purpose Of nOmi
mating Judge and suggest the mode Of selecting dele
gates. At this time. Mr. Bryant says those who con-
eeycd the movement supposed that the convention
would nominate Judge Lawrence, and their ouly object
was show that the people well as the bar were IL
terested IN the choice.
Between the calling Of the Convention and the elec
ton OF delegates it, Judge Lawrence replied TO the
letter Of the attorneys accepting their nomination with
the customary compliments to the bar, and added some
rather contemptuous remarks in regard 10 the peoples
convention. This aroused the farmers with
out respect 20 party. They considered
themselves msuted by the letter referred TO, felt
that they had much right express their preferences
IN the choice Of judicial officers any class in the COM
muuity and determined to show Judge Lawrence iu
striking way their opinion Of his letter. Nhcn the Con
ventOn met IL nominated Judge Craig and the people
elected him. He not selected, according TO Mr.
Bryaut because OF his sympathy with the Farmers
Movement and he required to give any pledges
a. to lls conduct upon the bench Though he is
well Informed aud successful lawyer 10 one pre-
tends nat he IS learned Judge Lawrence He has,
however good fund of sound common sense, and the
people OF his county have more than once sunk party
conscientious to testify 70 their confidence IN his IL
tegTlty and ability Though member Of the Demo
cratic party he was elected by his county TO the state
Constitutional Convention when the republicans
Of the county had 25O) majority. The farmers
81 the Fifth District deny that they
have chosen an unfit 10 fill Judge
Lawrcncc's seat the Supreme bench they deny hat
they desired TO punish Judge Lawrence for deciding
the b be what It :" they deny that they have
atoy ca 10 pack the Supreme bench OF the State with
EJadge pledged decide questions in their favor. and
they the attempt TO alarm the country aud
make Judge Lawrence martyr for doing his duty Is
trick o. railroad managers FOR the purpose OF divert
Ing public attention tho actual wrongs Of which the
farmers complain.
NEW PARTY TO DE- ORGANIZED.
Iuink an Impression prevails in Chicago and in the
East at the defeat Of Judge Lawrence iudica tes tue
discrimination ability Of the farmers Of this State to
old party associations and 10 control the
county elections which take place during the coming
Fal as well the legislative and Congressional cleo
tons mex. year this impression erroneous, so
far II is based that election. The opposition
% JUDGE Lawrence not opposition to
regularly nominated candidate Of the Republi-
eau party. some Of his friends attempted TO
use the old party arguments and secure him
votes because he a Republican and his opponent
Democrat. Bus the OF the District ignored old
party tics, aud made the campaign personal Its
result has been encourage greatly the opposition TO
the present Administration and 10 alarm the RepUb-
cans. The former now striving organize a new
party having for its chief panks reform IN the manage
ment Of the railroads Free Trade, Civil Service Reform
honesty In the administration of public affairs and
whatever real or supposed reforms the leaders IN
any given locality conceive TO be desirable
How Sfar they viii be able TO secure the
cooperation Of the Democrats or draw away voters
from the regular Republican tickets, nobody now
tell. Were the farmers adopt single idea-reorm
IN railroad management, for instanee-as the funda-
mental plank OF their PLATFORM 1t TO that they
would have better prospect Of But the Free
Traders insist that their peculiar doctrines in regard TO
the tariff are Of greater Importance than any others,
and that II the duty on iron, salt, and few
other articles was removed the farmers would be as
much relieved as by securing honest and economical
management OF the railroads. The Free Trade organs
Chicago which gave the farmers little encouragement
while their Efforts were directed against railroad
extOrtious alone, now striving 70 take