The Grange advance., 1874-09-09
Featherstone Convention.

On the Sd instant, in pursuance of very
numerously signed call by some Of the best
farmers Of Goedhue County, mass con-
vention assembled at the town hall of
Featherstone, and was called to order by
W. 8. Grow, Esq, Of Vasa, who stated the
substance of the call, and asked the con-
vention to name chairman Mr.. J. r.
Marston of Featherstone was presented,
and elected, but he stated that while he
was heartily in sympathy with the object of
the convention still he did not expect to re-
main here long, and for that reason desired
to be excused. Mr.. E. A. Sargent Of Burn
side was then nominated and elected chair
man, and E. J. Hodgson secretary.
The chairman then called for any sug .
gestions or remarks relative to the object of
the convention.
VIM. Grow said that there had been a
a misunderstan nding as to the hour at which
the convention was called, and he believed
that it would be better to adjourn until
afternoon. He believed that this body had
q great duty to perform to the farmers and
voters Of this county, and it was best to
have full convention for deliberation.
Mr.. Geo. Akers believed that the great
object of this meeting was to show that the
farmers Of this county were in favor Of the
best men for Office, irrespective Of former
political relations. He wanted to do away
with odhce-seeking. Let the Office seek the
man hereafter. Let US thwart the purpos-
es Of professional politicians, until, as a
class, they shall cease to exist The time
has come when we must place good, true,
temperate, righteous men in Office. The
farmers can do much toward effecting this
object by exercising . greater influence up
on the politics Of the country. He for one
was determined to do what he could in this
great work.
The Convention then adjourned until II
Pm.
Promptly at the hour the chair called the
convention to order, and stated that the
first question to be decided was as to whether
this convention should place in nomination
candidatesto to be voted for at the coming cleo
ton
Mr. Grow being called for, said he dis
liked to be talking all the time, he would
therefore call upon Mr.. Henry Heys, he
having given the subject careful considera-
ton.
Mr.. Heys said he had long since seen the
necessity Of Il movement by the masses in
favor Of publication Of the political at-
mosphere: 1t seemed to him that politi.
clans regarded Office from a purely finan-
cial view. The only question with them
was how much M oney could they make out
Of it, AMI how could they best manipulate
and hoodwink the people. Barter and sale
had been the rule in the very halls Of Con-
gress. The producing classes are the suf-
ferers. They, more than any other class,
have deep and abiding interest in puri-
tication Of the politics Of the country. Mr..
Heys continued his remarks at considerable
length and made some telling points which
were warmly spplauded.
Mr.. VIM. Featherstone said, for long
time q nomination by the Republican party
nad been equivalent to an election. That
sucn state Of facts naturally tended to
corruption. He believed the remedy was
to vote for the best men to whatever party
tney belonged. Let Office seekers under =
stand that a nomination is not equal to an
election, then they will cease to pack eau
euses IN their own interests Men will tn en-
have to stand upon their. own merits, in
stead Of upon political combinations. He
did not know whether the time had arrived