The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1874-07-16
Farmers VS. the Politicians.

One of the great evils OF the time, Is
the rule of the politicians. Nearly ev-
: cry county, in every stale IN the Union,
& has small coierie at its county seat,
: who manage the political affairs of the
county. They manipulate all the coun-
~ and other conventions, As skillfully
as Ole Ball did the strings of his vio-
lin. They play the members of the
convention very much as a gambler
plays his cards. They nearly always
stock them. and are sure to have
trunps in their swn hands If there
is not much TO be won, they will throw
away a game now and then, bat when
the winnings amount TO anything,
high, low, jack and the game will be
found in their possession.
Can the power of politicians be
broken There is not more serious
question now before the farmer. There
is not struggle that will require more
nerve. iirmaEess and decision of char
acter If they are beaten once they
will be ready the next time, and the
ncXt-tor they are slippery, why, per-
tinacious fellows, and if kicked out.
and kicked off, they will be sure to be
on hand again. Politicians are pro-
verbally dishonest. They will sell
the best friend in the world, if it will
pat them one step ahead. They will
promise everything TO everybody, and
will never think Of performing what
they promise. If elected to places OF
honor or Importance, they will for
those who will help them most, or pay
them most. They are guided only by
sell-intcrcst. What care they for the
people: Thcy-thc peoplc-don't care
much for their vote. When they come
home to see their constituents, if they
spend their money freely. which they
nave got perhaps wrongiully; if they
treat. literally, those who are dry; if
they shake hands warmly, and have a
smile for everybody why they are the
clcverc,t sort of fellow, and must be
reelected. 1t may be have overdrawn
the picture a little, in some respects,
but in other particulars we have done
! justice to it, We ask the reader if his
own observation has not corroboratcd
very much with what VIC have said.
Now do we want this practice TO con-
tinue Are the farmers satisfied with
management like this? Or have they
vowed that such practice shall cease?
They have the power in their hands TO
remedy such evils. They are largely in
the majority, any can have things
their own way, if they will. If they
will attend the conventions aud put
forth their best men, they can easily
triumph over their more willy compe-
tiiors
The masses are honest. They have
no motive to be otherwise. They are
the producers of all real wealth, and
! the real bearers Of all burdens impos-
ed by oflidials. With honesty, ccono-
my and proper management in the
administration of county, state and
national affairs, their burdens are
light. They are opposed TO high taxes,
because they are not able to pay them.
They are opposed to giving special
privileges TO certain classes. because il
makes those classes rich and them
selves poor. They don't want TO fos-
| ter and encourage monoplies, because
il is antagonistic TO their interests.
! Hence they want 10 elect men in full
! sympathy with them, and they have
the full power TO do it, and will do
| it.
We have no fear of the result in the
coming struggle. The majority must
rulc. Three or four men will not prove
stronger than three or four thousand
men. The farmers eyes have not been
opened till of late. They are wide
open now. They see clearly why our
present troubles are upon us. They
know that they are in the majority III
| this couniry-that they are the rulers,
and they are determined TO exercise
the power they possess.
These remarks are thrown out TO
call the attention of the farmers To a
sense of The responsibilities resting
upon them. They must attend every
convention that the party managers
NAV call, and see that the most honest,
unrest. wiscst and best men are select
ed for every official position.