The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1886-06-05

Farmers In Legfslation.
Out Of the 40l representatives in
the popular branch Of the Congress of
United States there are but "a farm
ers.
We are accustomed to speak Of
this country as "a nation Of agricul-
turaIists." And it is. Out of the
seventeen millions of laborers emu
meratcd in our last census, eight |
millions---nearly one half-are farm |
ers.
Nor does this properly reveal the
strength of che agricultural popula-
ton. More than one-half of the
voting population come from the
farms. More than one half of the
producing classes reside on farms.
There would appear to be, there
fore. great disparity between the
numerical strength of the farmers
representation in the National Leg
islaturc and their proportionate
strength in the population and
wealth Of the country.
1t looks like good case for the
farmers upon which to raise the old
revolutionary cry OF taxation with
out representation. But there is
no disposition of this kind. There
is probably less complaint among
the farmers themselves about the
disparity in their representation
than comes from the people as a
whole. There is, indeed, very little
to prove that the results of this dis
parity are of any great disadvantage
to the agricultural interests or to
the country.
The fact is that the agricultural
population have now proporti0nately
about rs large a representation in
Congress as they have ever had in
the history Of the country. Making
laws and hoeing corn have never
been congenial, or even compatible
occupations. The talent for the one
seldom goes in company with the
other. There is also very little am
bition among the farming classes to
enter the arena of active statesman.
ship. The more intelligent and sue
cessful the farmer, the less DISPOSE
ton, as a rule, do we find to barter
his place and plenty for the capri
eious and uncertain field of politics
There is no more contented and un.
aspiring class of our population thar
the tillers of the soil.
Through all history-not alone
OF this country-that class of mer
which is amongst the smallest il
numbers and wealth of the popula
ton has the largest proportionatt
representation in our Legislatures
The lawyers may be said virtually
To make. interpret and execute oul
laws. 1t is but natural that this
should he so. Whether for good OF
i'll it probably always will be so
and politics Il study will be bette
fitted to deal with them than he whit
only makes them u pastime. Th'
lawyer is just about as well suitet
To farm as the farmer is to max
laws. We do not employ profession
nj men to make nails, mechanics t.
make sermons, doctors to max
clothes and tailors to administe
physic-why should we be expecte'
to employ farmers to make laws
They would doubtless make as goo
or even better laws than the lawyer
if they set themselves to do it, bu
thcy don't. A man can do but on
thing well. When the farmer abar
dons his farm for the legislative ha
he is generally a failure. He come
in competition with men who hav
mastered the subject of Legislation
1t is presumptuous for him to eA
pect to "bcat them at their ow
game" He is on strange ground
exploring strange territory, and it
not surprising that he should &c
lost
But the strength and influence {
the agriculturalists are neither los
nor insignificant in our governments
affairs. The farmer may not desir
to go to the Legislature himself, bu
he determines who shall go in hi
stead. 1t is at the ballot ths
his controlling influence and author
ity is felt and recognized. He
very certain to require strict a,
count of the stewardship of thos
who receive his ballot, and his jud.
ment in public affairs is very SCUM
and discriminating 1t is the farm
ing class that keeps the legislator {
his good behavior. 1t is the FARM
that is the power behind the thron
He is the hope of the nation a
though occupying place in tt
background.
Speaking of the late Re
Samuel Steele, whose death WI
mentioned in last weeks New d
MINIoN, the Wheeling Register say
DIR. Steele was born in Irelan
where he received liberal educate
and resided number of years aft
attaining his majority. He came
this country about thirty-five yea
ago, and at once began preaching
the State of Virginia, now with
the bounds of this State, and hi
continued his work in the same /
l. I<>1