The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-09-05
Representation.


EDITORS JOURNAL Tho Republican
party il the dominant party in our coun-
ty, and the JOURNAL 10 the exponent of
the party. Hence, regard your paper
Is the proper medium through which
to present few thoughts in connection
with the selection of Representative TO
tho approaching Legislature. Without
circumlocution will say that am in
favor of farmer representative. 1 am
aware that there are those who will
smile audibly at this suggestion and it
may be that some will smear at it. But
let us repress for little our derIsion
and consider and see how it's. am in
favor of farmer representative because
the farmers are moro largely interested
than any other class of citizens in the
county. 1t is true we have none but
those. whose interests are identical with
the farmers, and who have no interests
beside from his, unless it be some local
matter in the way of patronage. But
every intelligent organization or col
lection of individuals, select alwsys some
one Of their own number TO represent
them, because they are. or should be,
better acquainted with the nature, char
scter and interests of their calling or
pursuit. So the people of this county
should have q man to represent them in
the legislature Of the state, Who is iden-
titled with farming and who understands
It in all It's deta;ls-not only a. to rails
ing and marketing crops, but who IN.
derstands the relation OF the farmer to
the state and to society. Especially 10
il true Of this state that tho devel-
oping Of the resources of the country and
the building up Of the commonwealth de.
pends chiefly upon the farmer. The
very credit of the government is based
upon the landed interest Of the country.
Then if the farmer 10 ct the foundation
and "pays all," ~ he msasurably does.
what manner of man ought 10 to b
Space will not admit . discussion of this
now. Suffice it to cay that his represer.
tative should be . mao with Thomas
Jefferson's qualifications, "honesty and
capability." He need not, of necessity,
10 % orator. The work Of legislatine
il not done in the forum, but mostly in
the committe rooms. He should Be Q
man with sufficient force OF character
necessary to command An influence with
his fellow members. He should know
how to frame bill and have an acquaint.
anos with parliamentary usage and other
Legislative knowledge necessary to get .
fair hearing. Ana above Ill he should
have no personal interest above that of
his constituency, and make his leglsia-
tive position stepping stone 70 some
thing moro lucrative. l Am sure the
people Of Saline county arc not suf.
iciently in debt to any man in it to lend
him their votes thus 70 advance his own
interest, however pre-eminent his abili.
ity may b.
In order that the farmers become
what they should b land with him | in.
clude his family they must Be properly
recognised, and that, too, in practical
and substantial way. Men Of their own
number Who have feeling 10 common
with them should free them from the
yoke Of bondage fastened on them By
transportationists and others who have
perverted the legitimate use Of capital
and DISTRACTED the Law Of demand and
supply, and lead them through the vii