The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-01
CITY IS THEIRS
Continued From First Page.

he had been greatly surprised at what
he had seen in a ride across the state,
though he had thought himself reason
ably familiar with its resources lie
considered Minnesota one of the great
est states in the Union-one OF the
most beautiful of the sisterhood which
unite to form the greatest government
on earth.
President Clayton followed his re-
Spouse with his annual address. IN
this he said
The farmer reads little and is often doubt
full that he is the better from that little;
from it he learns more things TO brood over
without finding a remedy. the httIe ghnpses
he obtains of the world in what he reads in
tensifies his prejudices and does not prepare
him to cope with apparent ills.
He brushes so little against world OF
which he is so important part thaI the
world practically ignores his existence he IS
enumerated in the tables Of population but
expunged from statistical lists Of the nation
REPRESENTATIVES. He is enrolled on the TAX
list but Cancelled in the catalogue OF those
who levy taxes. He IS registered IN the poII
hook hut disfranchised Of the privileges and
immunities of a citizen.
Whether the farmers of America will as
sert their sovereignty, remains TO De seen
No one conscious OF his power, Will Willingly
remain a slave but it is strength OF intellect
and mind which must win in all economic
struggles
The outlook is promising The real crystal
lization is apparent in the unity OF acton
Until the organization OF the Farmers Ma
tional congress and its kindred institutions a
few wears ago. each farmer was as lso-ated
as Robinson Crusoe on his Island ne 9she-
frs which these societies have conferred on
agricultural communities cannot be estimated
in dollars and cents. 1t has taught the virtues
of systematic organization, Installed the pre-
cent that the greatest good 10 the greatest
number is a good state of mind, good thoughts
and good feelings and established the tenets
of a higher measure Of general lntelllg9nce
and culture The special mission and WoTk
of these gatherings is to prepare the SEED Tor
the sowing TO do the planting and p-oWing
and fostering which must precode harvest
of intelligent votes; not to invent imposing
theories, but to apply more effective and Ju-
dicious measures
History teaches me that a government that
will not protect the interests of the great
masses of her people cannot become perpet-
Those engaged in agricultural pursuits are
a majority Of all the people, yet we cannot If
we would, close our eyes to the 1act thar
this majority is practically without voice IN
shaping public affairs.
review Of the present congress and the
occupation of its members will reveal the
fact that the farming element IS IN no way
responsible for disastrous legislation real or
apparent A biographical sketch of recent
congress as furnished by its members dis
closes the fact, that out OF membership OF
444 in the senate and house Oh represent
thirty millions of people, have thlrty-nVe
members in the house and but one IN the
senate The chairman OF the agriculture
committee of the senate records himself as an
attorney. and the only farmer on the commit
tee is at the tail end. Ten Of the eighteen
members composing the house committee, IN
Guiding the chairman, follow the law as
profession. The great states of Pennsylvania,
Ohio Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri have
each one farmer to represent that industry,
and the heart of the great agricultural re-
gions, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa have no
repre sentative in either branch OF that leglS-
lative body The only Craftsmanship held by
the farmer, and the one for which he is the
least fitted. is the Craftsmanship OF the com
mittee on Ventilation and Acoustics; this
should not be, and it is contrary TO the eter-
nal fitness of things. I do not know that
either OF the two great political parties are
to blame for this condition OF things, the
fault lies at your door; it is the fault Of the
farmer. and it is q sad comment on his lack
Of energy and patriotism.
would not have you understand that l
have lost faith in American craftsmanship or
that have &c confidence in the congress Of
the United States. II is the custom of this
organization TO engross the resolutions re-
garding federal legislation, forward them to
the speaker Of the house and the president
of the senate. They are ordered printed and
DIaced on the desk of every member of both
houses; and when placed in possession OF
proper information congress has been quite
prompt in the consideration OF our measures,
and thereby much needed legislation has been
Eleven years ago. Col. Beveraley, of Vir-
GINA then the president Of this congress, IN
his annual address in this city called the al
tention of the congress TO the fact that the
agricultural department OF the government
was but little in advance Of a half equipped
experimental station, conducted n the interSs.
OF political favoritism-
That and subsequent sessions of this body
took the matter up and the result has been
10 make the commissioner Of agriculture