New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-08
FARMING AND POLITICS.
|. REPLY TO THEODORE ROOSEVELT.


SOME MISUNDERSTANDING FROM WHICH RURAL
CONSTITUENCIES ARE NOT THE ONLY SUFFERERS
To the EdttOr Of the Tribune
SIR: The Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, In MS
contribution to the April number Of The Century, entiteu
Phases of Legislation" writes Of that of which he un
doubtedy knows much and gives that knowledge to the
public for unquestonably worthy purpose IL Is wen
known that his remarks concerning the citics ana 'ne
representatives are based upon close study ana
careful personal observation and yet II may
be questioned whether he has not, unin
tentionally neglected to notice the Importance
OF a class not usually reckoned among 1.-THE cuti
waited and intelligent men generally, VINO seldom
belong to the social and literary clubs with which MI
Roosevelt has intimate acquaintance ms Glass; anu
the term class is used for purposes of designation
only composed of intelligent mechanics and their CO.
laborers whose social standing is placed below
the cultivated and refined" known III ciup
circles. The highest intelligence, based upon mature
thought regarding political economy and governmental
polity is found, with slight exception. In this class 10
greater degree than any other IL has not only large
present interest in good government but is steadily
looking ahead to stability when different positions and
larger interests may be assumed and to this end those
who compose devote the time and study requisite 10
the intelligent performance of the duties of citizenship
Having large personal interests to subserve thelr
thought is given to the general good large share OF
which must proceed from welLorhercd government
The large mass the members OF this class quietly dis
cuss all public matters attend primaries, at least
know what q primary is and does, always vote, and
never leave the polls to quaishootng on election
day" 1t true, they frequently outnumbcred by
lower element led by demagogues but this would not be
the case were it for the apathy of the class above
habitues OF club circles, who should be their CO.
workers but who unfortunately, have such engrOssing
business cares and personal interests that In rcprchcn
sble sclhshness they neglect the elections and allow
social pride Ignorance" TO keep them from the pr-
maries which In fact the election to be finally con
lrmed by the formality of ballot. This second class
the mechanics and their coworkers perform the duties
OF citizenship by study, reflection and action The other
furnishes money for election purposes. AVID that
often from questionable motives which seldom result III
general good The position OF this latter class rs well de
fined by Mr. Roosevelt and few will synpahizc with
them In their tanced distress from excessive taxation
and corrupt officials. If the cities alone suffered 1t
might be of little moment to the community at large,
since the remedy lies with those who In large measure
own the property and make their residence III them But
the general welfare does suffer from this apathy, and it
is hoped that closer political relations and co-opera-
tion may be established between all respectable
classes notwithstanding the lack Of social intimacy.
which is quite another matter. and Is always properly
governed By personal taste, degree AMI character Of ia
telligence ana financial ability TO conform TO social re-
So far there is no fault to find with Mr.. Roo.eves
eXpo,e; but of the country take issue with HIM Ia
his manner OF treating country contiu9hc,eS Mcn nc
terms honest, though naIFOw-inlndcd anI Dlsoicd;
With the honest" we ought perhaps, to feel BATTERED;
certainly intended for hattery Tor ineIi
onal injustice They probably used loosely from
precOncc!yed, 1t might almost be sald an Inherent
notion that ignorance and 5oOrisness Necessary
characteristics OF rural life. TO be "a pain-slokcn As
tied we constrained say that he has written Of that
whereof he might be better informed How can he
any Of the class he most associates with |
anything of country character For brief sea
son. they their country homes, have their ownr
tiOnal enjOynents, in their circle need
guam passing recoHnon or remark They bay trinS
Infe inf he q "a.
91o errnncous Immersion Of his customer Ali tbis
arises from mutual Misunderstanding and lack of
proper knowledge, each OF the other, which leaves
suspicion OF itteness sharp dealing sides
thus a narrow minded impression is obtained, when
general intercourse would possibly lead to more
For the term bigoed politically considered there can |
be reason given which facts will warrant. In the
country farmers, professional men, mechanics ana mef-
chants formulate and, III measure, control political
opinion; all these are abundanily educated for TINS
purpose, ana give 10 II the same care ana |
consideration is attributed to the second class,
called In the cities. with much more time to devote
Compared with other class they we'll educated
honest OF good social standing and association,
and much aud iuteligently devoted pub
lie veal and instead OF clngng to prcconceved notions
the extent of "bgotry ready 10 dOpt whatever
economy strangers In the farmers limited library
they neglected; yet for want of public coec- |
is necessarily CLEANED from tine leading daes received
not with the distrust attributed, but current his
time. Exagseratons there may be what history Is not
IN ges sG
criticised in local publications, until exaggeauon
IS toned down to bottom iacts and results III reliable
knowledge.
Perhaps there would have been less disposition to
criticse OF the assertions contained Ia Mr.
vcts contribution but the fact that expect have
him for neighbor for at least portion Of the
year, his country at Oyster Bay Long Island and
unwilling that he should bring with him any err
roneous Impressions II is hoped during his soiourn
he will become better and favorably ac
quainted with country political life. 1t exists in
purely rural sections Of Queens and Suffolk Counties II
Is this Section Of late has shown undue fOndncss
for quasi non-esdents representatives In the
National and State Legsaturesa result largely attrbu
able 10 the one lone city In the district which largely
controls by giving Withholding It's vote as It's !
local interests dictate. To better our condition |
in this regard, we should like to have |
Mr.; Roosevelt among US as permanent
resident that may sometime have opportunity
prove fitness for political duties and dsproyo our
narrow-mindcdness and bgotry, by adopting him
Representatives More especially Is this desire Increased
since he refused TO follow the free trade "will-othe
wisp," cunningy labelled CiuH SerUcc reform" which
led many Of his associates into the mugwump puddle
where they still FOUNDER while the delusion vanshes
behind Democratic rcorm the advent Of which tly
heralded by the National disgrace OF the nag OF the
Union Government buildings at halfma as a mark
Of respect arbitrator and hend. ID. X. YoUYGs
oyster Bay, l.. l., April o, 1884.