Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-14

more of them to remain upon the farm, rather
than enter the already crowded ranks OF pro-
J fessioual life
/ The full realization of our hopes and expecta-
| tons depend very much upon the selection OF
! the man to thus represent our interests. That
! he should be a man OF character ana ability;
| with experience in dealing with men III official
| life, is acknowledged by all That he must be
| in political sympathy with the Administration
| is also admitted. But it was the earnest wish OF
the friends of the measure to thus elevate the
| department, that some man be selected VINO
had by hi lifs-work and associations become
| fully identified with American farmers. one
| who would at once command the respect OF
| every farmer. no matter what might be Ms po-
| litical affiliations We were not especially So
| licltous for the appointment OF any-partlcuiar
| individual: we would have been entirely salts
| fed-throughout the whole eountry-WlIh the
| selection of any one of the prominent farmers
| of the Pacific coast, some OF Whom were sug-
ge ted to the President. If the location OF other
| Cabinet officers made it polite to recognize
some other sec ion of our common country,
equal satisfaction would have followed.
| Ii was the farmer that we desired to have
recognized, and not any designated individual.
| IL was sincerely hoped that the known wishes
| of this large body of law-abiding. industrious
| citizens, would have weight and influence with
the President. aud that he would seek out from
among the millions who till the soil, one OF his
| confidential advisers We thought we had good
reason TO expect this recognition, in the person
| of the man selected to watch over, and advise.
in regard to the needs of agriculture. 1t did not
seem unreasonable to ask this, inasmueh rs in
| no other department was recognition expected.
| We fully aud cheertuly acknowledge the high
character and ability of the gentleman selected,
and would have been gratifed to see him in any
of the departments for which his public life has
fitted him. But for the department Of Agricui-
! ture, we wanted q man identified directly with
| that great interest And we do not hesitate to
say That the selection of one who has never
been considered farmer was great disap-
| pOintment to those who for years labored and
waited for this opportunity TO secure recognition
| Of their class Any pretense OF acquiesence in
| policy which thus ignores a class representing
| fifty per cent. of our people, to serve some per-
| sonal political purpose is cowardly in the ex-
IRENE. and unworthy of a true Patron.
have spoken thus plainly, knowing that mo-
tives may be miseonstrued and that untriendly
criticism may follow; not because court either,
| but because OF the position which temporarily
occupy, as the chief officer of great national
| farmers organization. l am fully determined,
| that as such representative. no personal con
| sheraton shall restrain me from protesting
when the rights and interests of the farmers are
neglected. have no apology to offer for the
extended consideration of this subject. We
| have in my opinion reached a crisis in our his
| tory. Not 10 speak plainly now, is to miss the
| golden opportunity which comes but once. If
| we for personal or political reasons hesitate or
hold our peace now, let it be forever, so far as
| the selection Of the head of the Department Of
Agriculture is concerned.
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.
The members of our Order have been active
| in securing the establishment of agricultural
| eXp6rlmen ut stations III the several States ana
will insist that the money appropriated to suS-
| tain such be wisely expended. To secure such
result, we are of the opinion that the Boards of
| control should be composed of progressive.
| practical farmers No one not thus directly
connected with agriculture can thoroughly IN
| derstand what problems need the most urgent
! attention. In majority OF the states men
who are not practical farmers have been ap-
| pointed to control their stations This is an in
| suit to the farmer and should be resented. The
| Executives who ignore the farmers in selecting
men for such positions should be ignored by
| the farmers in Convention and at the ballot
! box In no other way can we secure speedy
| reform of this abuse. The argument of the
ballot the most obtuse politician can under
| stand, and none are SO high, that they can
afford to disregard its plain admonitions
AGRICULTURE.
The most important American industry is not
at the present time remunerative to those en-
gagged therein and it is our duty to inquire into
the causes which lead to this result 1t was
estimated by the Department OF Agriculture in
1856 that the total value of agricultural pro-
ductiOn was s., CO., Of this amount
40S,S3i, 12S was sold in foreign markets. in COM
petition with men VINO employ the cheapest
labor in the world. 1t is well recognized fact,
that the price received for the comparatively
small amount shipped abroad, regulates the
price received for the much larger amount con-
sumed in this country. More than half the
value of agricultural exports were paid for by
agricultural imports (S27l 629 13l). Will it not
be 10 our advantage 10 secure our own markets,
ton? l only refer to this matter in order that
it may receive your consideration.
PATENT LEGISLATION.
Our efforts to secure legislation to protect the
innocent purchaser OF patent articles from an
noyance and costly litigation or from buying
peace, by submitting TO q system of levying
blackmAll, have not been successful, and we
must persevere in our efforts. Increased vigil
lance will need to be exercised to prevent the
extension of patent monopoies. This is rem
dered necessary by the recent formation of an
association for the accomplishment OF such ex-
tensions.
FOOD ADULTERATIoN.
The adulteration OF commodities used as food
and for cooking, has grown to such an extent
that pure goods have nearly, if not quite, been
driven from the market. The buyer of to-day
can only be sure of one thing and that is that
he will be swindled, no matter what brand of
goods he may purchase. Speedy reforms must
be inaugurated, or we shall become a nation of
frauds and cheats. We should demand both
State and national legislation of a radical char
acter, and then see that the laws are radically
enforced.
EDUCATION.
There are various ways of educating the peo-
pie, and the farmers, realizing the necessity of
more practical knowledge, have organized in
stitutes, clubs, alliances, wheels, Farmers Insti
tutes and the Grange ali of whish agencies are
helpful to the cause of education, and none of
them interfere with other educational facilities
Farmers Institutes have been successfully
conducted in several of the States, and now it is
u
| Farm Institutes. A bill was introduced into
the Senate last winter providing for the estlb-
| lishment of such q system. The bill provides
among other things for a Superintendent at q
salary of SC 900 per annum and TWO assistants at
| 1900 each, who are 10 have charse of the
work, and power to employ such assistance as
may be necessary. am assured that the bill will
| be reintrodueed this winter, and vigorous
| effort viii be made to pass it.
know of no class of citizens who are more
interested in sill efforts to enlghten the farmer,
| Than members of our organization; and urge a
careful consideration of this measure, and ali
expression of opinion in regard thereto. The
| large salaries proposed would indicate the
i probability that behind the measure are in
| terested parties who are willing to draw them
| But this fact should not be fatal to the pas age
OF the bill if il will be worth more TO the farmer
| than It's actual cost, estimated believe at $780,
| COO Any system of institutes which contem-
| plates sending well fed, and well paid scientific
| gentlemen over the country to ladle out and
hand down to farmers fine spun theories will be
| a failure.
! Farmers must be taught to investigate think
| and talk for themselves, and think better re-
! suits can be obtained by allowing farmers to
| manage their own institutes without any su-
pervision or interference upon the part OF the
| national Government. If the Government de-
| sires to help n the educational work of rmers
| institutes, more elective plan can be devised.
| Better results can be obtained by approprlating
I 3 small sum for institute work, TO be expended
| by the organizations now having the work in
| charge in the several States, or, where no in
|
| that purpose in the hands OF the Board con-
| trolliug the agricultural experiment station.
THE PRESS
No agency in cur Couutry to-day exerts such
| q mighty power as the press. If we are TO sue
| coed we must have press devoted to our cause,
| edited by able, fearless mon, uncontrolled by
| corporate power. or the wealth OF controlling
| c asses Men who devote life and fortune to
| our cause. should be nobly sustained in every
possible way. Their columns bristlIng with de
| nunciations of the wrong. and fearlessly ad-
yocating the right, should be put into every
! farmers hand to aid and assist him in his
| struggle for better things.
| I canpot comprehend how member of our
! Order can rest content, or grow without the
| thought food and stimulus contained in our
| Grange papers. Scatter this good seed and we
shall reap bountiful harvest.
woAAE's WORK.
| At the.last session OF this body committee
was appointed on "WomaD's WORK in the
| Grange consisting OF Sisters Addie s. Hale, of
| Connecticut, S. L. Hayes, Of Oregon, and N. S.
Rhone of Pennsylvania. Similar committees
| have been appo nted in the several State and
| Subordinate Oranges, and work has been COM
menced which promises excellent results. The
! members of the committee have been very
| energetic and enthusiastic in the work / am
! exceedingly well pleased al the prospect of far
| reaching and effective help from our sisters
| who never weary in well doing, ana never stop
/ to ask if work right and proper is likely 10