The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1888-08-03
LAKE CHARLES CALCASEU PARISH LOUISIANA FRIDAY AUGUST 1885,
letter from sugarIOwn.
suGARTowN, La, July IL, 1888,
.nl-s ThorIns Rrhn,

sUGARTowN, La, July IL, 1883,
Editor Lake Charles Echo
As it has fallen my lot to correspond with
the EoHo in the interest of the farmers Un-
ion, OF Calcasieu parish, will discuss some
of the purposes of the organization.
First its compositions 1t consists of State
Union composed Of delegates chosen by the
Parish Unions, A Parish Union in each
parish composed of delegates from all subor-
diuate Unions. The State Union meets once
year this year at OpelOusas August lst,
The Parish Union meets every three months
and the subordinate Unions every month,
but the president of each may call a meeting
at any time he may deem 1t nssessary for the
transaction Of special business
The purpose of this organization is to ben
eft the farmer and labOrer,-'those who eat
bread by the sweat of the faee''-bOth fnsn-
cially and socially. But If any branches of
business are In any way disturbed by their
acts it will be only for the purpose of benefit
ing their own conditions.
All the legislation of Congress for
the last twenty-five years has been In favor
of monyed mOnopOlies. Glass legislation has
been the order Of the day. The farmer and
the aborer, the producer of the necessities
of life, has been wholly ignored and left to
shift for himself as best he could. This has
houses of a few. This accumulation Of capt
tai has been cOrruptly used by combinations
to control legislation In the interest of money
power. Legislation SO framed as to build up
manufactures, railroads, corporations, syndi-
Gates and mOnOpOlies at the expense OF the
farmer and producer The high protective
laws have made possible the formation of
trusts the sole business of which is to cut off
all competition and put up manufactured ar
tiCles to the highest possible figure and to
bear down farm products to the lowest price.
While these things have been carried on
with a high hand, the farmer has been con
tent to toll on, trusting to the honesty and
patriotism OF our Legislators to stand between
them and those who have become so emit
nently ricil out of the pockets OF the farmer
through this Glass legislation. But alas how
egTegriOusly have we been betrayed. The
time has come when the farmer must assert
his rights by combining and standing shoulder
to shoulder fight this hydra-headed monster,
the Money King, or live to see himself and
his children reduced TO abject slavery; q ten
ant on land once his own, but then his lords,
made such by the unjust, unequal and out
rageOus laws Of the past.
Every other branch of business has formed
combinations, not with the aVOWGd purpose
Of iujuring ihe farmer, but to better their
own condition and keep their commodities
up to the highest price The railroads form
pools, manufacturers form trusts to keep up
prices in their favor and against the interests
of the farmer. They have subsidized the
press, they have established their corruptlng
lobbies around the halls of legislation which
Is fast sapping the foundation of our free
government and will ultimately overthrow
aud destroy It unless halt is soon called to
these enCrOachments upon the constitutional
rights Of the people.
To correct these evils and to better the
financial and social condition Of the farmer
is the great object of the Farmers Union.
The farmers are the "pOwer behind the
| throne and they will in turn be able to ac-
cOmplish these things by unity Of action and
undertaking but it can be accomplished.
| In my next ! shall discuss the tariff ques-
ton aud its bearing on the farmer.
A, SEVERANCE