The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-04-21
FACING GRAVE DANGERS
RefOrm Political Parties Not a Sg.
guard Against Corrupt Legis ).
lat1On. IT
Farmers and LabOrfng MeYS iced
Thorough Organization NoI< lore
Than Ever Before>:
(By Hamlin V. I

A few days ago a man ted me, be-
ing an entire stranger I was a little
curious to know the object of his visit
From appearance he seemed a kindly
intelligent man, a little past the prime
of life, one of those men, who, although
appearing reserved and tlmid yet his
countenance indicated he was a keen
thoughtful observer and possessed clear
judgment.
l learned from him that he had come
quite distance to see me at great per-
sonaI inconvenience, expressly to Visit
me.
He informed me that he lived about
twenty miles from me in an adjoining
county upon small farm Of so acres,
He did not hesitate to give me his name
but requested me not to give 1t to the
public, if l should write an account of
his visit for publication. BY way of m
PRODUCTION he stated that he had been
quite successful in business, and not
being ambitious to become extremely
wealthy, had closed out his business
about fifteen years ago; having as he
thought ample means to enable him to
live the balance of his days in comfort
upon small farm by such outlay of
physical effort as at his time Of life
would keep him in good health, but at
no time be forced to overtax lis
strength to live. His fortune was suffi-
cient to enable him to purchase this
small farm and equip it with all neces-
sary buildings, stock and tools, ETC., and
still have enough left to feel easy about
meeting any emergency that he might
be forced to face, such as loss of crop
by drouth, hail or other causes
Soon after settling down upon his lit
tie farm he was compelled to study ex-
, listing conditions as affecting his
changed occupation, and from the fact
of his having sufficient means to keep
him from want even were conditions to
continue to get worse, he feels his in
vestigations, while forced from the
small margin of profit upon his produc-
tions, were impartial, and that his con-
clusions are likely TO be as correct as
any of the many writer's and speakers.
he did not think it egotism upon his
part to make such statement as 10 his
judgment.
From the first effort on the part of
the farmers to organize he took great
ipfnroct IN
of fairly liberal donations of money and
subscribing for the leading reform pa
pers, he had taken no active part in the
movement.
He also stated that he had followed
closely the career of most OF the leading
men who have taken prominent part
in the movement from the start, and
his excuse for coming to me at this
time, while complimentary of my u,,-
selfish efforts in reform work, was prin-
cipally owing to my living nearer to
him than the many others who have un-
tlringly labored for the cause.
Up to this time he had practically oc-
cupied the position of sympathizing
observer and might have continued IN
tnat attitude, could he rid himself of
the positive conviction that at this time
the counry is facing graver dangers
than ever before. These convictions
force him to make an effort to warn
the people of these grave dangers. He
said the farmers and the laboring men
have never been in greater need OF
thorough organization than at this time
The prevailing sentiment among them
at this time seems to be that their po-
litical efforts through the Peoples Par
ty has been and will continue to be. the
only form of organization necessary
This is natural, owing to the fact that
reforms must come through legislation,
and political organization must be
maintained in order to secure legisla-
tors who will look to their interests. If
this conviction prevails to the extent of
their losing sight of the influence upon
their legislation through the power of
organization non-partisans graver
mistake could not be made. Anyone
with the slightest knowledge of the in
f1uences used to coerce legislative bodies
both state and nationality the mon
opoly, is well aware that it will require
persistent, united effort on the part
of the people through organization 10
counteract the effect of these lobbyists,
who have added to their persuasive abil