The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-09-29
STATE ISSUES.
Correspondence of the Progressive Farmer.

CONCORD, N. y.
1t IS time we Populists were discuss
ing the issues of State upon which we
shall make our fight in this campaign,
and keep those issues plainly before the
people. 1t isof the highest Importance
to the welfare of our State that the
Democratic party be defeated this year.
We can get no reform with this partv
In power, and we cannot maintain the
wise measures already enacted by the
legislature Of 1895. There is no use to
argue this proposition, for a party that
would not give us relief when it was in
power for years and years, will not do
so when it stands trembling on the
brink OF the grave, Just waiting for it's
funeral obsequies. Then to get a rule
OF, for and by the people, we must have
a cooperation of Populists and Repub
leans, es only in these parties have we
men OF manhood and patriotism enough
to hearken to the wants of the people.
There is a great field for reform in
nearly every avenue of our govern
ment. | think the legal fraternity of
the State 4honld give us the benefit of
its advice IN rectifying the many
abuses OF Our present court system.
Every one is we'll aware that our courts
cost too much. The tax payers should
cry out at the enormous expenses that
are incurred, by law, of course, at each
court. The magistrates should be given
greater jurisdiction so as to keep so
many frivolous cases out of court. Of
coui Sc there should be given the right
to appeal, but there is no C3nse in con-
Stunning the time of a court every time
some fellow gets hit with a stick or
rock end no serious damage is done. 1t
might k9 we'll to give the magistrates
jurisdiction in civil suits to amounts
not exceeding 81, 900, and give the par
ties the right to appeal # they wish.
This would take volumes of business
out Of court. There is crying demand
for reform along this line. 1 notice
that @. W. T.'lett, E.q IS conducting
in the Charlotte Observer a bureau
that l think is very useful. He IS dis
CIssing the many live issues that affect
US every day from a lawyers stand
point, and I hope The PROGRESSIVE
FARMER will also establish come such a
bureau where we common people can
get legal advice without employing SO
many lawyers. What do our people
think Of this suggestion? Suppose, for
instance, that this paper get Judge
Whitaker, OF some other able jurist, to
answer such questions of law and dis
cUss such measures of reform as might
be addressed to him through your col
umns9 l know this would be of great
benefit to all your readers. .
The live3G iesue that now confronts
the voters Of the State is the question
of county government and election
laws, The Democrats are opposed to a
free ballot and a fair punt, and unless
they are defeated this year thousands
of orr citizens will be d!ofranchic ID.
Even free silver, without free suf age,
would amount to nothing. 1t is useless
to refer to the old Democratic election
law with its bull pens, etc it is ueeless
to see how Hon. @. II. Martin and others
welo counted out by Demo cratic re
turning boards, and then vote for a ON
tiuuation OF these things. The fusion
lists gave us a jrJt and a fair ele 3tion
law and the Democratic platform de
clares against it, thereby showing their
intention to retu1n to fraudulent sys
TENS It they have the power. This
question lies at the base of our liberty,
and nothing is sure until this matter is
settled. The ballot is of far greater
importance in a Republic than even
Our Constitution, as the Constitution is
at the mercy of the voter. How dearly
then should we prize this great gift.
E II. Cnapin says of the ballot-box:
1T j. a grand thing-something
which involves profound doctrines of
right-something which has cost ages
OF effort end sacrifice; it is a grand
thing that here, at last, each voter he's
just the weight of n man; no more,
no less; and the meekest, by virtue of
his recognized manhood, is as s5rong
as the mightiest. And consider what
it is to cast a vote. 1t is the token Of
inestimable privileges, and in~volvesthe
responsibilities of an hereditary trust.
1t has passed into your hands asa right,
reaped from fields of suffering and
blood. The grandeur of history is rep
resented in our act. Men have wrought
with pen and tongue, and pined in dun