The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-06-10


thing else, and we will have one yet. There
are plenty of towns that will make the
same sort Of offer that Rutland did.
AT this point A. j. Mcclellan of Green's
boro offered a resolution making the Farm
erS' Advocote the official organ of the league.
The resolution was adopted. 1t was already
after twelve o'clock, but the president in
troduced Hon. George T. Powell of New
York, president of the national Farmers
League, in order that he might say few
words. Mr.. Powell spoke briefly, after
which an adjournment was made for din
ner. After dinner he continued his address.
speaking in all about an hour and half.
GEORGE t. POWELL, NATIONAL PRESIDENT.
Mr.. Powell began by saying that we have
special need of educational work because
the country is so vast and its development
has been so rapid. All the wealth that we
have comes more or less directly from the
soil Now is a time of organization among
farmers, and it is hopeful time for that
reason. There is great CONSERVATION among
the politicians over the fact, but great good
will come of it. The farmers have always
stood by good government. This is the
most wealthy nation in the world, and we
ought to expect that it would be the most
prosperous. Why is there this disparity in
condition? Why are farmers and working
men so discontinued? The wealth of the
country, now estimated at over $4,000
100000, has come from the soil and the
mines anu the ldDOT expended upon them.
Some say farmers are living too fast-that
they have too many pictures on their walls,
too fine furniture, etc.-and that this is the
reason they are no better off. The speaker
put no stock in such talk as that, for, if
there is any class that ought to have good
living, 1t is the farmers. But the fact is the
farmers are now obliged to go back to the
hard and pinching times of the early days
of our history. Unless some change in the
condition of things is effected, the perpe-
tuity of free government will be in danger.
In our early days the country grew in
wealth because our plan of government
took in all classes, and freedom was vouch-
safed. One exception to the principle of
the equality of rights was made in the case
of the negroes, and it was noticeable that
in the slave states, where labor was not
paid for, there was no such prosperity as
there was in the free northern states. Now,
in these later days when legislation does
not bear equally on all classes, discomfort
and hard times are observable. The early
governments were representative in char
acter; men were chosen who would repre-
sent all classes. All good citizens were par
ticular to attend the primary meetings.
The government was for the people, and
the results were the best known in history
But, farmers, said the speaker there has
been change. l do not propose to saddle
the whole blame upon the shoulders of the
politicians, for some of it belongs on our
own shoulders. There came a time when
the people were so interested in their work
and their own private affairs, in which
they were prosperous, that they did not at
tend primary meetings AS a result the
representatives of special interests took
possession of the primaries, and sent their
representatives to the halls of legislation.
These interests were advanced to the in
jury of others. TWAS natural that while the
great corporations were at the 'front.' in legis-
lation, agricultural interests should have
been neglected, although not intentionally
Now what is the remedy? The prevalent
encouragement has given rise to these
organizations, which are formed to look out
for the farmers interests in politics. The
first object of the league is to call people
back to citizenship. Let every man, whether
he be republican or democrat, 60 to his
caucus and vote honestly. 1t is not the rule
now that the people seek the man, but the
man seeks the office. There must be a re-
turn.to the early principle. If you say you
will be well represented, the question is
solved. The speaker was not an advocate
of farmers party, except as last resort.
He did not believe in class government.
But the object of the government will not
be met until more farmers are represented
| in it, We need lawyers in congress, but all
the members should not be lawyers. There
is already so much law that the lawyers can
not interpret their own law. The place to
begin the reform at which we aim is at
home. On this point the speaker differed
! Is
packed by men who are brought in like
flock of sheep. Perhaps you are not so bad
here as we are in New York. ca voice: " We
are not."O In New York the caucus is con-
trolled by money. "a voice: at is here'')
The first reform needed is the abolition of
the use of money at primaries and elections.
This reform would be in the interest of the
politician, as well as the people, for the
politician is actually compelled to resort to
these methods. After he has spent his
money in this way, he endeavors to get it
back in some way in the legislature The
speaker said he had seen how good men had
been caught in this way, and he had charity
for them. Next, there is too much liberty
with our elective franchise. Criminal i'm
migrants are becoming the ruling class be-
cause they can be bought. This is one rea-
son why good citizens do not 90 to the eau
Gus. Unless there is a change in this re-
spect, our government will pass out of eX-
iStence. If congress had been composed of
farmers, wonld the immigration have been
as great? Would railroad rates have been
reduced so low that the products of the
cheap lands of the West could compete with
our own? We have lacked craftsmanship.
Why have the sheep and live stock been
driven from Vermont hills? Simply because
the pauper immigrants on the cheap lands
of the West have been accommodated with
very low railroad rates. 1t costs but a trife
more to bring beef from the West to New
York or Boston than to send it from Yer
mont. There will be no remedy for this
until you choose your representatives from
your own ranks. Every towns officers
should be reformed. Do not allow few
men any longer to run town meetings.
When you have succeeded in reforming
your town, then go to the county, and then
the state. Reform the methods of taxation.
Mr.. Powell spoke in favor of stringent
liquor laws, and he also had good word to
say for separate agricultural college Look
out for the senate at the next election, said
he. He opposed both free silver coinage
and the sub-treasury scheme.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The resolutions, as read and adopted, were
as follows:
a. That we are unqualifedly opposed to
class legislation.
(2) That we favor an equal and just sys-
tenn of taxation, based upon all real and
personal property alike and we demand of
congress law to provide a graded income
tax.
(3) That we demand strict economy in the
expenses of the state and national govern
ments, with salaries of officials to cores
pond with the financial condition of the
taxpayer
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