The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-02
FARMERS NOT IGNORED.

The main features of the opening session
of the Farmers National Congress at st.
Paul were the address of Hon. B. F. Clay
ton. of Iowa, president of the organization,
and the report of John NJ. Stahl, secretary.
Both are entitled to speak for the farmers
of the country, and both made some good
points In one respect, however they did
not agree viz, as to the amount of con-
sideration and recognition extended to the
farming class and their influence in legls-
lation and public affairs. President Clay
ton said:
The farmer brushes so little against
world of which he is so important a part
that the world practically Ignores ms exe
istence. He is enumerated in the tables OF
population but eXpunGed from statlstlca1
lists of the Nations representatives. he is
enrolled on the tax list but canceleu IN the
Catalogue of those who levy taxes. He is
registered in the poll book but dlsfranc
chised of the privileges and immunltles OF
a citizen.
This represents the farmers of the coun-
try as practically ignored in government
and public affairs and almost devoid of in,
fuence. On the other hand, Secretary Stahl
said:
This congress has always been SO SEN
sibe and conservative in its action that It
has the respect and confidence of all
classes and as MIR Hatch for so many
years chairman Of the House foI comm Tee
death, the Farmers National Congress
has more influence with the Congress of
the United States than all other agr1cul-
tural organizations combined" This .influ-
ence is well shown In the agricultural
schedule of the Dingley bill. The Farmers
National Congress was the only agrlcul-
turai organization to seriously champion
the farmers interests at the special ses-
sion that enacted that law. 1t presented
cd memorial Of 1915 asking Tor
protection for farm products, ana the leg
islative committee, headed by the, vener-
able Judge Lawrence, who entered Con-
gress in the early sixties, secured fair and
just protection for farm products.
The secretary cited specific instances in
which farmers organizations had been po-
tent factors in securing legislation that
was wholesome and generally beneficial.
No doubt he is right. 1t is a great mistake
to say that the dignity and Importance of
agriculture are moderated in this country,
or that farmers, as a class, are ignored
in government and legislation. Many men,
bers of Congress have been brought up on
farms, and in all the state legislatures
many members are farmers. Mr.. Clayton
said, HE is enrolled on the tax list, but
Cancelled in the catalogue of those who levy
taxes This is far from true. A majority
of the township trustees and tax assessors
of the country are farmers. We think it
would puzzle Mr.. Clayton to state
what privileges and immunities a
citizen" the farmer IS deprived. Secretary
Stahrs statement regarding the influence
of farmers on legislation puts a very diff
ferent phase on the matter and is doubt
less much nearer the truth The Farmers
Congress is an excellent organization and
deserving of all encouragement, but it
should not lend itself to disseminating the
idea that farmers as a class are ignored in
public affairs, for they are not