Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-09-30
Senator Carpenter at Jefferson.

Agricultural falr at Jefferson. He spoke
for about one hour and commanded the
closest attention of his audience from the
common cemeat to the close of his remarks
The number of people present was various
ly estimated at from three to i've thousand,
being by far the largest attendance ever be-
fore seen in this county on similar occas-
ion. No doubt large share of those pres
ent were attracted by the promise of an ad :
dress from our distinguished Senator. and a
desire to hear him speak upon the topics
which are just at this time uppcrmost in
the public mind. The Senator of course en-
tirely eschewed politics, aud at no ime, by
implication, even. said a word which could
be objected to by the bitterest Democrat or
Reformer. He took no partizan view of any
matter discussed, but in candid and con-
vincing manner, laid down propositions
which could in no wise be controversial BY
his hearers, no matter to which political
party they might happen to belong.
He mai ntained that an organization
among farmers for their own protection,
and the promotion of their common inter-
ests, is just as proper and essential as the
formation of a company of any individuals
for the purpose Of carrying on any other
business; and hence was glad to know that
the agricultural interests were being guard
ed as they were by the numerous organza-
tons Throughout the country, such as he
was then addressing. There was danger,
however, that their true interests would be
lost sight of, and all the power of the or
gani cations for good, be frttered away, so
soon as they began to dabble in partizan
politics. 1t was their duty to vote for only
good men, and such as were pledged to re-
present them right upon the questions of
vital interest to farmers, irrespective of par
politics. He commended the Potter Law
as one o the principles of which are sound,
and should be maintained, advising his
hearers to look to it, that in the election of
members of the legislature in November, no
man be chosen to represent them who is
not pledged to stand by the doctrines of
that law.
He considered the transportation ques-
ton in all its bearings and at considerable
length, showing that the matter had re-
ceived much attention at his hands from the
exhaustiveness with which he discussed it,
1t is matter which is destined to occupy
still more attention in the future than it
has in the past, on the part of State Legisla-
lures and of Cong ess. He showed conclus-
lively that Congress has the power, which it
will very likely have to exerci Sc, to inter-
pose and regulate Interstate commerce,
and establish national rules and regulations
for the government of railroads, should any
of the States fail to meet the requirements
of the public in this regard. AS to the
power of Congress to do this, there can be
no doubt, the supreme court of the United
States having settled that principle long
ago. Our want of space forbids any
further reference to the points of the Sena-
tors speech. They were all we'll taken,
and so presented as to elicit hearty assent
to them by every person present. The ad-
dress was we'll received and deservedly so,
for it was not only sensible and practical
but likely polished and eloquent. In fact
it could not we'll be otherwise, for the Sen
ator never delivers addresses other than of
this character.
LIST OF LETTERS remainino in the