The news., 1882-04-06

Why HAS NOT THE FARMER MORE
PoL1TrcAL PowER7-About forty
seven per cent. Of the population Of
the United States is engaged in
agriculture. Constituting nearly
one-haIf Of the whole population
and greatly exceeding any other class
in number, it might be supposed that
the farmerswouId hold the balance
Of power; that they would be fully
represented in our legislative halls,
aud would 80 shape the laws that their
interests would be fully protected.
Strange as it may apper, the facts are
exactly the opposite; no class possess
ses so little political power; no class
Is 50 poorly represented 10 Congress
or the Legislature, and the interests
Of no class are 80 little considered by
our government.
The merchants unite in exchanges
and stock boards, and to certain ex-
tent fix the price Of the farmers pro-
duce; the railroad men hold a conven-
ton, and to . certain extent fix the
cost Of the transportation Of the far
mers' produce to the consumer; the
manufacturers meet together, discuss
the speeches and actions Of public
men, and resolve that they win sup
port such measures and such men as
favor them. They do not begrudge
time or money where their interest is
concerned. Politicians understand
this, and nothing is more common
than to hear them say, We can't put
such plank in our platform; it will
Affect the wooden interest, or the iron,
coal or shipbuilding interest. But
when did they ever alter Q platform
for fear Of offending the farmer9
Your flannel shirt pays tax Of 95
per cent, your coat and pants from
80 to 90, and your hat SO, to encour-
age the wooden manufacturer; your
glass from so to 70, your tools so to
go, all levied to sustain and encourge
great manufacturing monopolies, with
ont consulting the interests Of the
farmer or the laboring class who con
sumo these goods and finally pay these
taxes.
And yet farmers have the power
In their hands to alter all Of this and
secure to themselves . fair share Of
the returns Of their labor. Why Dc
they not exercise It? Because
they lack the element that gives "a
others their power, and that element
q union. Give that and the farmer
will be represented BY men Of his own
GLASS who will regard his interests
they will say how the taxes that they
pay shall be levied; they will say to
the railroad corporations your road Ia
great public benefit, we are willing
to pay you . fair and liberal profit on
your investment, but we are mot will
ling to work in the sun and rain for
bare Subsistence while you roll up
your millions In a year; you shall not
By unjust discrimination put the esn-
tsol Of our produce and Of the ARTICLES
that We use In daily life into the
hands Of few Of your favositssj but
transportation ct fair and equitable
satss ahall be free to eli. All this
oAn be done BY union.
When will farmers leave for .
while the questions Of the best breed
Of COWS, the latest style Of pig-pen, or
the merits Of green or dry fodder, and
give some attention to transportation,
tariff and monopoly viii they wait
until the enemy Is entrenched In our
Legislature, Congress, and Supreme
Court, until he has corrupted the
ballot box and taught eur young
men that the right that our fathers
bled sud died for is 3 thiag for barter
and sale; until nothing short Of .
revelation will save us2 or will they
unite now while there Ia time, and
never cease their efforts till farmers
are free from party rule and party |
rulers; till they cease to be inAusnc- |
cd by lawyers CAB and capitalists
gold, and are free to cast an honest
vote in favor Of economy, administers |
ton, fair taxation, and the right Of
every man to an equal share in the
fruits Of his own labor. r. 81. g.
HoRsE LoRE.--The horse has the
smallest stomach in proportion to his
s;~a 20 49, .r;,r.I T;fkoan nr a;x. |