The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-11-26
Editorial NOtings.

Editorial NOtings.
FARMING is u rather hard, but not an
impossible, occupation for a vigorous
woman in good health, and possessed
of reasonably good judgment. Such a
one, living in Vermont, writes thus to
the editor of the Ne1C England Farmer !.
81 am working in a very different
spirit than when you called on US.
Then it was du;y which kept me here,
but now / am here because | have an
interest in the work and desire to make
a success in farm life. The lessons
have learned are many and valuable,
and doubt if there is any place in the
world equal to the farm for developing
character, provided the opportunities
are properly utilized. | am trying to
raise stock that will sell at any time. l
find that poor and ordinary animals are
a constant drug in the market, while
large, healthy ones are in good demand,
at fair prices. | have also learned that
for the higher success we must raise
more of the corn we use" The
Farmer adds that this woman farmer
"practices what she breaches regard
ing the raising of corn, having several
acres of this grain, which yielded 300
baskets per acre. Her farm is well
managed and her stock something to be
proud Of"
OUR opinions are not extreme either
way in regard to woman suffrage. We
can see no sense in refusing a vote to
any taxpayer. We do not believe that
any other should vote. " Manhood
suffrage has fine, noble sound: but
a man whose manhood has not been
equal to making him taxpayer is more
likely to vote wrong than right. The
emotional character of woman, which
is one of her chief charms when duly
controlled, is apt to mislead her on
grave public questions; but we do not
know that this is not fully offset by the
Indifference of so many male voters to
moral issues Tens of thousands of
men voted in the last election for can
didates whom they had every reason to
know were dangerously corrupt. We
do not think many women would vol
UNFAIRLY vote that way.
ONE thing is plain enough in our
politics-the farmers are taking a hand
in elections more independently than
ever before, and on the whole, we think
more intelligently. The agitation for
an independent agricultural college in
this state has stirred up the farmers be-
You'd what we could believe possible;
and, whether successful or not in the
particular thing aimed at, is a good
thing in itself To feel that they have
place and a power in the common
wealth, for themselves, and in their
own behalf, and not as the tail of some
political dog, is worth much. 1t looks
squally for the old politician-ridden par
ties when the farmers begin to think,
and to vote as they think. Old issues
have expired; new and practical ones
are coming to the front. Men ask:
" Are the rich men of this country 60
ing to rule it for their own sole interest,
and in their personal behall?" The
farmer has a heavy foot, "men and
brethren" If he lifts it up, and brings
it down in one unanimous thump, some
things on earth will fly skyward-"you
bet"
BUT one thing is as sure as daylight
American farmers will never have their
rightful position in life, social or po-
litical, so long as they are Indifferent,
or less than Jealous, for the improve
ment of the public schC OILS 1t is of no
use to blink the matter-the farmers of
New England are not upholding their
schools as they should. or as they must,
if they hope to have any prominent
political power as a class and in their
own behalf. The schools must be
strengthened greatly in all agricultural
districts before the farmers can have
the influence due to their numbers,
and their great stake in the country as
a producing class. But how is this to
be done? If the farmers do not know
the importance of thorough English
education for their sons and daughters,
how can they be induced to tax them
selves to pay for it?
IN the great West the liberal land
reservations for school purposes-rap
idly and enormously advanced in value
by increasing populatiOn-have Sc
cured substantial support for the schools
and the schools are producing men and
women who know how to value educa-
cation for their children. In New