The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-04-01
WHAT THEY SHOULD DO.

The farmers of Kansas, in common
with those of other Western States,
have number of grievances which,
as a matter of simple justice, should
be redressed as promptly as possible.
Among their grievances is the op,
preston to which they are subjected
by railways who insist upon takir z
about half the crop raised as pay tor
transporting the other half to market.
Next, they have a grievance against
the dressed beef com bine whose meth
DDS practically destroy the live stock
interests of the State, and thereby so
much cripple and impoverish them.
Next, they have grievance against
the binding twine trust, monopoly
which compels them to pay 80 per
cent. more for that article than they
should pay. Next they have a griev-
ance against the general government,
particularly the legislative branch of
it, for not providing a suficiency Of
money to 90 the business Of the cour-
try-free coinage of silver, for exam
pie, and thus to ena 1le them to dis
pose of their crops at fair prices.
Next they have very large grievance
against gang of professional polite
isns in this State who are in the habit
of using them as so much trading
capital IA the various schemes il which
they are interested.
These are few of the grievances of
the farmers of Kansas. That the time
has come for redress will, The Cham
pjOm thinks, be conceded.
The means of redress are in the
hands of the farmers themselves.
They have the power to protect their
interests and to inaugurate political
and legislative policies which will inure
to their direct benefit as class. They
have the votes, which is the power re-
quired in the emergency which con-
fronts them. It is for them to say
who shall represent them in the next
Kansas Legislature and in the next
National Legislature. If they are so
disposed they can hold the balance of
power in the State Legislature and
can say who shall represent Kansas in
the lower and upper House Of Con-
gress.
The opportunity to help themselves,
to take at least the initiative in wiping
out the trusts so hostile to their in
terests, and to secure the proper regu-
lation of the railroads of this State is
in their hands. They can now cut
lose from the whole brood of political
cormorants who have so long preyed
upon them, if they will.
What they should do as a means to
this end is to elect men to the State
Legislature who will not sell them out
when they get to Topeka; men who
cannot be bought and sold like sheep
in the shameless; men who are in
sympathy with them and their inter
ests, and who have brains enough not
to be led by the nose by crafty asso-
ciates and oleaginous lobbyists; men
who are bribe proof, and who have
the nerve to legislate with special ref
erence to the needs of the agricultural
classes.
When it comes to rembers of the
National Legislature, they should see
to it that men are sent to Congress
both branches are not mort,
gagged soul and body to corporations,
combines and trusts, and who have an
adequate appreciation Of the kind of
legislation required to relieve the de-
pressed condition of agriculture.
If the farmers of Kansas will care
fully consider this matter and wisely
improve their present opportunity,
they will not much longer suffer as
they do at present from oppressive
conditions. -Atchisorp Champion.