Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-04-20

a
confidence upon their representatives
VINO, although elected by the farmers
are more under the control of other
classes, whose supposed interests are
antagonlstlc. How slow and astonish-
ingly forbeariRg have they been under
the most grinding oppression of rail.
road corporations They have often
paid larger profit to railroads for car.
rying their products one or two hun
dred miles than they had obtained for
the labor of production. They have
been quick to see the absurdity of
the claims of these corporations. that
they are public and amenable to legis-
latlve control, so far only as the right
OF way Is concerned, but private in
all matters OF transportation - the
only business for which they were char
tered. Bnt the sturdy farmers of Hi
nos, Iowa and other northwestern states
soon settled that sophistry. The mat
ter is still 1nder discussion in some
states, and IN the national legislature;
but the question will be fully settled,
and on q basis of justice, compelling
them to use the great franchise for the
public good, with benefits equally dis
trbuted.
The farmers are certainly getting
their eyes opened to the discrlmina.
tons made against them, and to the
political power welded by certain class
es, small IN numbers, but very active in
political intrigue. Their efforts to con.
troll, in some degree, the operations Q.
railroads has shown them their COM
bined power; and it has led them to
see that the cooperation of farmers is
necessary to their protection and prop
er weight in the affairs of state. Since
they have turned their attention to the
study of state affairs, they are some
what surprised to find that mere hand
full of lawyers, practically, make all the
laws, and that they never forget to favor
their own class. This privileged class
not only make the laws, but interpret
and execute them. Result-a settle
ment by litigation leaves both parties
beaten, with the amount in controversy
in the pockets of the lawyers.
When an estate is settled by an APP
peal to the courts for a construction of
the will, or legal disposition Of the pro-
ceeds, the end is, in many instances,
simply allotting the proportions receiv.
ed by the lawyers and referees in
the case. In a recent case in New York
CITY, the whole estate of 100000 was
absorbed by the fees allowed by the
courts; the widows wardrobe being
sold, it is said, to pay part of the def
cheney. The courts take infants estates
under their protection, but the protec-
ton is, too often, that of the wolf to the
lamb.
Farmers being the largest class in So
ciety, there is greater need of co oper-
alton to protect their multifarious in.
terests. Holding the largest amount OF
property, discrimination bear most
heavily upon them.
Many of the classes get their living
by trading upon their productions
The commerce of the word is principal
ly made up in handling the products OF
agriculture.
How important then, that the farm
er should understand his relations to
the rest of society--that he should seek
to place his children upon an equality
with the most favored in the land, by
educating them, not only to understand
all sciences relating to the intelligent
execution of their business, but fitting
them for the highest duties to the
State.-Liue Stock Journal.