The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1892-12-15
cence that viii worthjIy eustain the homer q


In reviewing the recommendation which
have made in three preceding annual mes
sages that Congress should legislste for ths
protection Of railroad employees against the
dangers incident to the old and Inadequate
methods Of braking and coupling cars which
are still i'll use upon freight business, l do 30
with the hope that this Congress may take
action on the subject.
Gerryman.iers Considered.
have Il, the three annual messages which
1t has been nay duty to submit to Congress
called attention to the evils and dangers con-
n"Ctcd with orr election methods and prac-
tic"s as y ar r" lated to the choice of Off
animal message cndeavoredto 10 invoke serious
attention TO the evils o. unfair
apportionmcnts for Congress. 1 cannot
close this message without syain call
ing attention to these grave and
thrca-enIng evils. ! lad hoped that it was
possible TO secure II non-i,aTtisan inquiry by
means of a commission INTO evils the ex-
istcncc ot which is known to a!l, AMI that
ont of this might grow legislation from
should lie eliminated: and only the higher
t!lon.ht appear of maintaining the
freedom and purity of the ballot, and the
equality of the eiector without the guar
anty of which tie government could
never have been formed and without the
continuance OF which it cannot continue
20 exist in peace and prosperity. 1t ia
time that mutual charges of u.falness
and fraud between the great parties should
cease and that the sincerity of those who pro-
fess II dcs re for pure and honest elections
should lie brought o the test of their willing
ness 10 free Onr legislation and our election
neti.o Il frof3 thing that tends o tmpair
the public confidence in the announced re-
suit. The necessity for n inquiry and
tor legislation by Congress upon this subject ia
legislation in zone States in recent years has.
in some important particulars. been
elect ions and equal apportionments Is it net
time that should come together On
the high plane of ,atrioti.iIn while W. devils,
me; hotls that shah secure the right of every
man qualified by law to cast 4 free ballot and
give to every such ballet an equal value il
choosing our public officers and III directing
the policy of the government!
OutraGcs by Nobs.
Lawlessness is not lesa such, but more,
where it usurps the funct ions of peace officers
and OF the courts. The frequent iynchiug Of
colored people accused of crime is without the
excuse which has sometimes been urged hv
Inob3 for a failure TO pursue the appointed
methods for the punishment Of crime that the
accused have an undue Influence over courts
and irries.
Such acts are a rerroach to the community
whore they occur, and 20 far as they can bs
the strongest rHpressiye legislation is de
rnandeJ. \ public sentiment that will
sustain the officers of law III restraining mous
ami III prot ectlng accused persons IN tnrir Gus
to:!y. should be promoted by every possible
means. The officer who gives his lite in the
brave discharge Of this duty is worthy of
special honor. No lesson rteis to be
gently Impressed upon oEr people as this. that
no worthy cud or cause can be promoted ty
tdNteS1ntSS.
In Conclusion.
This exhibit Of the work of The Executive
Departments is submitted to CoH4ress aud to
the public III the hope that there will he
found III it due sens of responsibility and
az earnest purpose to maintain the 'at loaal
honor and 10 rromrta the hal mess and .Tos-
pcrity os all our people. And thi, brief exilib-
il OF the 1rowt! al,a prosperity of he country
Will give level from which 70 note tha
increase or d"caitnce that new Legislative
policies may bring TO Us. There k rca-
influence r
4ucriCr should not observe the anne
rate cf increa that have cnaractcri2el
the pas thirty years. We carry tie
great i'll. pulse and increase os these years
into tle futarc. There is no reason Why in
many lines Cf production should not sur
pass al OF! her nat lofS we have already t.G1e
in snnln. There are no near frontiers 70
possible development. EetrogrIssion woaid
be crime.