Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-07-24
LEARN FROM THE PEOPLE.

I'm view of the talk concerning the
convening of congress earlier this year
than usual, it may be well to call atten-
ton to some matters which must have
attention early. There is large class
OF citizens dissatisfied from one cause
or another, with the management and
condition Of public affairs: 1t is not To-
cal nor partisan, for it is found in all
parts of the country and among the
members of all parties. The extent of
IT aud its Influence if united, IS suffi-
cient not only to justify but require at
tentiOn of our lawmakers at the earli-
est practical time. Whether the dis
satisfaction is or is not well founded.
we are not now discussing. The fact of
It's existence is sufficient for our pres
ent purpose.
Congressman, in the time interven-
ing between the present and the con-
vening of congress, ought to go out
among the people and confer with them
freely, not to instruct them but to be
instructed by them; learn as much as
possible about what ails them or what
they complain Of. And in doing this,
it VIII not DE safe to visit only lawyers
and bankers and real estate dealers and
professional men in general, but farm
erS, Observation-Disclosures, clerkSsan all
classes of manual workers. Senator
Plumb'5 deserved popularity is the
fruit OF frequent and sincere interviews
with his constituents.
There is movement among farm
ers and workingmen in general so large
as to entitle it to respect from all pOlit-
ical parties. The movement is fast
gathering numbers and influence. Its
object is TO discuss great questions of
national import in their relations to ag
TiCulture and labor. with the view of
impreSsing the results of their delibera-
tions upon the legislation of the cOun-
try. Representative men OF the Grange,
Alliance, labor unions and other SINH
lar associations may be found in every
county and town, men who are pre-
pared at least to outline their grievan-
ces, and such men ought TO be seen per-
sonally by every member Of congress
who desires tC represent his NOnstitu-
ents fairly. Learn what the people
want and then give it to them as near
ly as the necessary adjustment of diff
erenceS and local interests viii allow. :"
The above Is from the official state
organ, the official republican paper of
Kansas, the Topeka Capital. 1t is, we
believe, key note, sounded by direc-
tion of the republican leaders IN Kan
sas. In effect, it is an admission that
the farmers and workingmen of Kansas
are sOrely dIspleased with the workings
of the present inIquitous tariff laws; it
is an acknowledgment that the promi-
ses of the republican party, made last
fall, have not been fulfilled and that
now the masses are dissatisfied with
the management and condition of pub
lie affairs"
The Capitals right, however. A large
class Of citizens are dissatisfied and
their complaints are well founded and
every Kansas congressman, especially,
should get out in his district and con-
fer with his constituents-not only the
constituents who manipulate county
politics and send delegates to congress
ional conventions; but constituents who
are daily robbed by protected monopo-
lies. Not only should the sleek and
well-fed county bosses be asked what is
needed, but the wheat-grower, who has
been robbed to the extent of ten cents
on every pound of binding Irvine he has
used, should be asked what he would
suggest. Not only should the congress-
man consult with the postoffice appli-
cants and the pension grabbers, but he
should confer with the constituent who
has been robbed to the extent of two
dollars thousand on the lumber he has
used in providing shelter for his dear
ones. Not only should the congressman
confer with the prospective legislators
who will re-distrlct the state, but he
should ask the wishes of the family man
who has paid a tariff equal to forty
three per cent. on every yard of cloth,
every suit of clothes, every blanket,
quilt or comforter, every pound of wire,
every saddle or harness, every wagon
or farm implement, every pound of
salt. every sack for his grain and every
ton Of coal that he has used on his farm
or in his family.
The farmer who pays this average tax
of forty-three per cent. on everything
that he must buy knows what is the
matter. The grain raiser who can only
get 81 cents for wheat that has cost him
go cents to raise, knows what is the
matter.
The whole trouble can be summed up
in one word and that word is TARIFF