The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1893-05-04
"Where Are We A."

In looking over the columns Of Il
local paper recently, l found u few
words written, presumably, by the ed
itor, which would lead person to be-
iievc that his paper was published III
Il community controlled by band of
thieves, robbers, land pirates, or shall
| use milder word and say boodlers.
But there seems to be nothing ne y
to the average citizen in this, for We
ere persuaded that too many such
communities are to he found. Still,
l think it would be hard to find 4 COM
munity where more corruption to the
square inch may be found than in the
one to which reference is had.
But when the editor intimates that
he could proceed to expose the rotten
ness in the management of local af-
fairs without being in danger Of pros
ecution or persecution, the outlook
becomes thrice more alarming. If
know, the editor does not overdraw
the picture-it is not too highly col
ored. But how to reform that CON
munity and place it under the control
of the better element without regard
to past party affiliations. is the all alb
sorbins question. Let every honest
reader stop and reflect, and see wheth
er or not there is any relief
Have we not hundreds of voters
who are governed solely by their par
tlsan prejudice when they 60 to the
polls? Yes, we have thousands whose
honesty and intelligence have nothing
to do with regard to determining the
men or measures to be supported.
Thele comes dangerous element.
found in almost every community.
that casts its vote and influence for
the party that Offers most inducements
in way Of whisky, money or promotion
to Office. There can be no true Dem
ocratic Or Republican form Of govern
ment in a community, state or coun-
try under such conditions. Can it not
be truthfuily said to-day in our own
beloved land that we have no R-pub-
lican form Of government? 1 think
it may, Does not money dictate who
our officers shall be from president
down to constable? Suppose an eff
fort is to be made to rob a commu-
nity of q few hundred thousand dol
lars, and it becomes necessary, in or
der to make a success of the effort, 20
fill certain local offices with low. de-
graded specimens, without single
redceming quality Back the men
with plenty Of money and let them he
opposed b; the best men in the com
munity. men as wise as Solomon and
as pure as the angels in heaven and
let them run on their merits alone
and what is the result. Money wins
1t would seem that any citizen with
any intelligence at all ought to know
that he can not afford to cast his vote
and influence to help place dishoucs'
and incompetent men in positions Of
honor and responsibility, men who il
they had their just dues would Ia
dwelling inside of high walls. Blu
where community is cursed viii
such local government, how is relic
to be had? How will you Gust them
, 1t is more Of task at times to an
swcr a question than to ask it. D.
, you say indict the rasca!s? Woul,
you indict by grand jury Of thel
f own selection, with some of thei
' boodler fir ends on the jury? Would
, YOU try to vote them out? Who con
, trolls the polls when such men are i.
f power? How was it in Kansas an,
: Georgia at the last election? Woul,
YOU keep out OF politics and try t.
bring about reform through YOU
, Christian organ!zatiCns?
!, When in town some fine Saturday
try and keep count Of the number o
church officials and lawyers YOU NEE
, on the streets during one afternoon
a who at no remote day sold his vot
y and influence, and thus assisted t
rob YOU for part of the spoil>
Farmers have you not some of thes
, men in your alliance? Do they no
i disgrace all our organizations
e Where are they not? Let ia spo
y these whenever We find them.
|. A SLAVE.