The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-08-07
OPPOSITION TO SUMPTUARY
LAWS.
A Correspondent Thinks the Whiskey
Traffic the Fountain Of Most
of Our Troubles.
Correspondence of the Progressive Farmer.

careful reader of The PROGRESSIVE
FARMER, and heartily endorse most of
its teachings. have found it great
teacher of the laboring class; and be-
ieve day that the laboring class who
read it are better informed upon gen.
eral subjects than ever before Imust
confess that have received informa
tion through it that would not have
got elsewhere at ten times the cost. 1t
has been a great educator, and has
greatly benefited the laboring classes
at small cost. 1t has been leading
paper in advocating needed reforms
reforms that if enacted into law with
little additiop) would bring incalcu-
liable blessings to all the people. I
have been for several years member
Of the Farmers Alliance, and find
The PROGRESSIVE FARMER to be faith
tul exponent Of their principles I
heartily endorse all the demands ad-
vocated by the Alliance. These re
forms are essential to the upbuilding
OF the producing class. have en-
dorsed the principles of the Populist
party because they are in accord with
the principles Of the Alliance. We may
advocate these principles and cry aloud
for these reforms, but in vain until
steps are taken to enact them into law.
Would every demand asked for by the
Alliance, if enacted into law, bring the
relief so much neededR l think not,
because, in my judgment, they do not
reach the fountain head of the most of
our troubles. We are passing through
a crisis that excels anything this gov
ernment has ever experienced. For
this there must be cause or causes.
What are theyH A number of answers
has been offered to the question. One
says it has been brought on by the bad
laws passed by the Republican party.
Others particularize and say a high
protective tariff is the cause of all our
troubles. Another says the ''cowardly
makeshift'' by Sherman has brought all
this trouble upon US. Al other says
the pension system is the cause. An
other says our banking system is rot
ten. Another says our whole financial
system is rotten to the core, and our
present trouble is the legitimate result
of a corrupt system of finances.
Now what is the remedy8 The Dem
ocrats tell us to place them in power
and this whole thing shall be changed;
IL L. oH,nII Ao 1a1
wholesome laws shall be passed and re-
lief for the suffering will be the result.
They have been in power since March
4, 1898, no relief has come and the stu
alton grows worse every day. The
placing of Democrats in power has
proved complete failure. The Popu
lists tell us to place them in power and
a great reformation shall be wrought;
that their platform is a reform docu-
ment, and their principles enacted into
law will bring relief. The Democratic
platform of 1892 was very good re-
form document, but when the repre-
sentatives elected on that platform met
in Congress their platform was one
thing and their actions very different
thing. There was something behind it
all that was stronger than their plat
form as reform document, and yet it
was a little thing in their platform.
Opposition to all sumptuary laws being
interpreted, means in full accord with
the whiskey rings and trusts. To my
mind the corrupt and corrupting in1u-
ence of alcohol has had more to do with
our financial troubles than any other
one thing. This is the great fountain
from which all other corruptions flow.
Why was the clause in opposition to
all sumptuary laws put in the Demo
cratic platforms Evidently to catch
the whiskey vote, without which they
felt (the Republicans already having
largely secured it) that they must re-
main in fearful minority, but by sell
ing out soul and body to the whiskey
interest they might get into power.
What is the result7 Both parties hav-
ing sold out to the whiskey ring, that
ring largely controls both parties.
Their representatives are at all the pri
maries, at all the county and State con-
ventions and no man can get nomi-
nation without their approval. Their
money is freely used in the campaign
funds, and their representatives in the
legislative halls, both State and Ma
tional. The fountain being corrupt
the stream will, of necessity, be cor
rupt.
I have, during my life, heard some
political speaking, have read some po-
Iitical papers, both Republican and