Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-06-19

fraud il should be punishable under the
common law. as much as any other fraud
the Interstate Commerce law has nothing
TO do with it. This is all can mention in
this direction. Then there 10 unequal and
unjust taxation Ia New York and Pennsyl-
vania il has been Ascertained that real estate
bears 30 per cent. of the taxes. and personal
property 10 per cent, aud in face Of the
fact that personal property is always the
largest, most valuable, and should pay the
most. 1t is proposed that the League shall
make the farmers heard, aud that they shall
obtain redress for their grievances II pro-
poses that the farmers now shall do the
same work which our fathers and grand
fathers did before US. attend 10 their own
business and do it. Farmers should be as
thick at the csucuses as frogs after \
shower, and should get their part of the
Offices. We do not propose to form q new
party. There is no need Of new party
we have no timber from which to make it,
and no time in which TO do it. II we had,
it would be an old party in SIX months.
What we propose to do is to go to work and
make the old parties right. We propose to
hold the balance Of power and to use il,
wisely and for our own advantage. Poll
ticians are generally very clever fellows
and will do all which they see they have
got to do, and no more. But we as farm
ers must get into line and work squa-ely
for our own interests. There will proba-
bly, be some squabbling with corporations
when they find we are after them for a just
and equitable share of the taxes, but let US
stand right up for q square fight and we
can make them do what is right.
- 4 II. l..
that the town leagues look out for the in
terest Of the locality where formed, the
county league looks out for the affairs of
the county, the State for those OF the State
and the Nation for the affairs of the Nation.
II is proposed that the National League
,hall look out and see that the farmers
products are protected to the extent that the
manufacturers products are protected.
Our markets are open to Canadian products
hay, eggs, potatoes, cheese. We want our
own markets for our own products. and
we want to grow other products. now pro
duced abroad, provided they are properly
protected. What is done for one industry
should be done for all. for all are equal be-
fore the law, and the farmers products
should be protected as much as other
things. Our work is in harmony with that
of all other organizations, and we are working
with them, the Wheel, the Alliance, the
Grange, and other great farmers orgsnixa-
tons.
Twenty -four years ago when the Grange
was organized thought there was no call
for it. Farmers were then prosperous, and
had but little of which to complain. But
have since learned that this organization
was needed to educate and develope men
qualified to lead, preside at, and take direc-
ton of farmers assemblies and organiza-
lions for their own good. Farmers know
what they want lust AS well as any body
can tell them. What lisa legislature. 1t
is simply body giving directions-thst is
ALL and the farmers know how to give
directions as well as any class of citizens.
The farmers knew how to give directions in
the stirring times of the Revolution. when
the constitution was adopted the DecIa-
ration of Independence was passed, and
the bill of rights established. Grave
questions of government then came up and
the farmers knew how to answer them
Why? Because 81 per cent of the people
were then farmers, and only 4 per cent
were manufacturers and professional men,
The farmers had good government then /;
and if there is humbug on the face of the
earth it is what is called State smanship
We must do as our forefathers did. 20
back and do our own blu mess, and look
out for and defend our own rights. Can it be
done, is the real question. II has been
done and it can be done again. Who shall
do il? Who is supposed to look out for
farmers rights but farmers themselves
Who ever heard of lot of farmers look
ing out for bankers. or lot of manufac-
turers and merchants looking out for far
mers: We must look out for ourselves.
but if we stay where we are the work will
never tie done. have often wondered at
the marvellous success of the working mems
organizations. When I Vas boy q car
penter got 81 Oh for day fourteen hours
long now he gets $500 for day eight
hours long. Organizations have done this
The creator of capital sits on his throne,
but he obeys the voice of the working men
The strike of the London dockman was
victory for workingmen; the strike of the
Cornwall miners WAS victory for labor
the mining kings had to bend TO the organ
lied power of the miners.
All branches of business are co ordinate.
II one stops all stop. If swill cart breaks
down in the streets of New York il stops
ali the teams and carriages, perhaps for
mile back, the express wagon, and the coach
of the millionaire. If the blacksmith's of
the country should combine to ask for their
rights, and stop till they get them, it would
stop the machinery of all the factories in
the United States. There is not the same
unity Of interest in other pursuits that there
is in agriculture. There is no particular
reason why a manufacturer of baby car
risges should combine with manufacturer
of scythes. But there is q good reason why
producers of farm crops should all combine
in one organization for their own protection
If farmers will only organize they can do
anything. They have . common interest
and should be all knit together. Nothing
can save the country-but the law and love
Of God-aside from the organization Of
farmers.
have ofen wondered how it is that 80
few can become so mighty. The strength
Of the few who are organized is greater
than the farce of the unorganixed many
The work of the League in States where
it has become established is meeting with
success. In sections where farmers are no,
organized they are at the mercy Of every
combination against them. hence we must
use the same agencies for our improvement
which they are using. Though the work
may go slowly and results be moderate in
maturing We shall expect the right will
triumph. Though our workmen may not
be 90 near each other that We may see
them, yet re hope they will be so near that
We may hear each others hammers in car.
rying on the work of erecting the great
building which we have commenced to
build. Cheers.
The speech Of Mr.. Pierce was listened
TO with close attention. and it vas matter
of regret that he was obliged to leave at 8
o'clock P. n. in order to meet an appoint
mens to lecture at Freeport in the evening.
The business of the County League was
then resumed.
Henry o. Pierce Of Monmouth and A.
O. Crawford Of Augusta we're chosen dele
gates to the convention at Lewiston, Sstur-
day. June 2is for the purpose of forming q
State League.
Voted, That the Secretary of the County
Lesgue notify the Secretaries Of town
leagues in kenuebec county when the next
meeting of the League will be holden, and
a'so publish notice of said meeting in the
Kenpebec Journal and Msine Farmer
The meeting then dissolved to meet At the
call Of the President