River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-02-17
A FARMERS LETTER.
hnowledge---Lawye rs---PoNver---GOv.
Taylor--Farmers' Insurance Compa-
MES. Etc.
From the industrial Ago.

From the Industrial Age.
Wisdom is the result Of knowledge,
and knowledge is obtained only by q
determined effort. Let any PROPOSE
ton whatever be started, having in
view the public good-the learned
classes are the only ones who can
thoroughly examine it. Lawyers are
nearly all educated men, and they
have heretofore been the almost exclu-
slve lawmakers in this country and
the present deplorable state OF affairs
may be traced to their legislative enact
ments. Our vast public domain has
been so managed as to enable every
Congressman and Spectator to amass
fortune out of it, thus wriuging hun
dreds of millions of dollars from the
toiling pioneers who are trying to Sc
cure homes for their families. The
wisdom of the lawyers has been used,
almost exclusively, to entich the non.
producers at the expense Of the pro-
ducing classes. And the question nat
urally arises Is there sufficient in
telligence among us to change all this
| must confess that l do not feel
over sanguine. The great city papers
are fountains OF darkness, rather than
of light. Political truth is foreign to
their columns. While the Republican
papers supposed they were fattering
the farmers, and oaioling them into
voting for their party. all went sweet
and lovely; but when they found that
a few of them were independent, and
would vote for honest men. regardless
of party, their tone changed wonder
fully; and the farmers have not
to-day one single sincere friend
among the great political papers of the
country. Those Demo cratic papers
that think the recent elections are an
indication that their party is endorsed
by the people are as blind as bats.
Had the Democrats been in power, it
would simply reverse the case. What
the elections prove is this: That por-
ton Of the more intelligent voters have
lost confidence in professional poll.
and are determined to entrust
their interests to honest men, If they
can be found. 1t is only through
papers established 10y the laboring
and sustained by them, that
the people can be properly prepared
to do their duty in this great contest.
Let me relate a good anecdote of our
new Governor. Soon after the election,
a friend called on him, when the fol-
lowing conversation took place:
Friend" Well, Mr.. Taylor, have
spent considerable time and money to
secure your election, and now | would
like to have you give me good posi-
tion."
Governor" How much has my cleo.
ton cost your" Draws his wallet.)
Friend-Names his sum.
Governor" Here is your money j,
but | have nc offices to sell ~
This, to my mind, is better evidence
of straightforward honesty than the
strongest endorsement of all the politi-
cal papers in the State.
What say you to the plan of State in
surance 1t will save more than four
fifths of all the money now paid by
farmers to insurance companies, which
would probably reach nearly two mil
lions of dollars in Illinois alone, every
year. II will not create a single new
Office, and adds but little to the duties
of any now existing. 1t will work in
justice to no one, for no one need pay
any taxes unless he is insured, and
only on insured property. If the plan
meets your approval, suppose you print
a form of petition, and see if we can.
not get the people aroused. think of
no other way by which the farmers can
save SO much, with so little cost and
trouble. 1t will shake off one set of
leeches, who are steadily sucking the
hard earnings of the producers.
j. A. SAwIN.
EVANSVILLE, Wis, Jan. Is, 1874.