The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-03
SAT- DOWN ON POLITICS.
Congress Would Not Consider Par
fisan Politics.

fisan Politics.
Not only the buzz of dissatisfaction,
but the outspoken expression OF CHS.
pleasure marked the closing scenes or
the present session of the Farmers
National congress at the state capitol
last night, the cause being the rather
unprecedented action of Messrs.
Loucks, of South Dakota, and "Calam-
tty'' Weller, of Iowa, who, in spite OF
all manner of pointed rebukes, insist
ed in consuming a large part of the
evening talking to a lot of what the
balance of the assemblage considered
radical resolutions, all of which, after
some delay, were killed as dead as the
traditional door nail.
The ~frequest Interruptions for which
these two members are held account
able, resulted in the presentation by
o. c. Gregg, of Minnesota, of a reso-
luton to this effect:
Whereas, in the evolution of social and
political life questions pertaining to govern
mental action will naturally and continually
arise, therefore, be it
Resolved, first, that when any such ques-
ton shall have been recognized by a politi-
cal party so that such a question has a body
in which to exist and make its fight for
control in the fields for politi al life, to
be finally settled at the polls, then such
questions and all similar questions shall be
barred at the doors of this congress;
4SSoOlNON' oCCCLiOI lHdI Ills I6SOluIIOA IL
hereby made a notice to the assembly of this
national congress for the year 1898; that a
constitutional amendment will then be offered
to the effect that no partisan question shall
ever be entertained by this body.
hi resolution was enthusiastically
received. Some one asked who was to
decide what were partisan questions.
"The resolutions committee and the jn-
telligent members" replied Mr.. Gregg.
In answer to the query from the presi-
dent, Mr.. Gregg replied that while
political matters might possibly be
discussed in the abstract, he wanted it
understood that the congress was non-
partisan and should be free from this
troublesome strife which marked po-
litical warfare. If he was a protec-
zionist and wanted protection, he
would go to his party for it and not
TO the Farmers congress. Mr.. Weller
1nterposed several vigorous objections
to the adoption of the resolution. but
the congress wanted it and declared
ltselt IN no mistakable manner.
Mr.. Gregg then spoke for ten min
utes on farmers institute work in
this state, outlining to the visitors
something of this department as it
mad been conducted during the past
few years.
Then, after a brief report was made
by the chairman of the finance COM
nlttee, the fusilade of reso-
lut1ons, which had been sent
and in the bunch were halt a dozen
asking for the sanction of the cor
gfesS for Income tax, reducing trans
Portation charges, and creating more
control of transportation companies.
telegraph and telephone corporations,
government ownership of railroads,
initiative and TeLeIt4.uum elc., etc.
Each was WnTa hIu racOronoorI
ed by the committee and had attached
a minority report, signed by Mr..
Loucks, recommending it's adoption.
To each motion he made a fiery
speech, and, before the people real
lied it, much Of the time set apart for
he reading and discussion of papers
was gone, and it was too late. Much
disappointment was freely expressed,
but these two gentlemen appeared not
the least perturbed, and declared they
were jubilant, though beaten, that
they had secured even a hearing from
the congress-. The Northrup resolu-
ton favoring the continuance OF the
distribution of seed wheat by the gov
eminent was killed.
Other resolutions favorably acted
upon covered the matter of commend
ing the work of the secretary of agri-
culture in the direction of protecting
the country's dairy interests, in regard
10 asking legislatures to provide for
the grading n inspection of butter.
so as to keep out fraudulent butter
and thus protect both producer and
consumer. Another resolution pro.
vided that state legislatures and con-
gross be asked to adjust the pay of
state officers to correspond with the
incomes Of the farmers, While still an
other contemplated the appointment
of a committee to draught a plan for
the prevention of the spread of con-
tagious disease among domestic ami
mails.
Mark NJ. Coad. of Fremont, Neb.,
read a most interesting paper, his
subject being Horse Breeding for
Profit"
A Mr.. Doran, representing the L. A.
w, made a strong plea for state aid
in constructing wagon roads, adding
that by this mean the farmers would
be relieved of the sole responsibility
for good roads inc the country. They,
he said, had borne the brunt of this
work for some time, and. in his opin-
ion, the state should levy a tax on
rich and Oor alike, on city and coun-
try folk, for the purpose Of looking
after this very necessary adjunct TO
the welfare of the state.
New Jersey was, he said, the pioneer
state in this kind Of work, and it was
now being carried on in Rhode Island,
Connecticut, and the state of Wash
ington. He outlined the views of TIE
league officers, and urged that no bet
ter results could be secured than by
the thorough discussion of the matter
by the farmers and ~bicyclists, so that
the expense might be fairly divided,
and the state at large nave good
wagon and bicycle roads.
Pref. H. W. Campbell, of Sioux City,
with the assistance of a number of
charts. exemplifed the Campbell sys-
tenn of soil culture as applied to the
raising of corn and potatoes in his
own tate. Prof. Campbell went into
detail as to growth and proper treat
ment of corn especially, and told how
the crop should be mulched, narrowed
and kept with the proper amount of
moisture in varying kinds of weather.
He had been brought up in Vermont,
and he believed the Eastern farmer
believed that his Western country
was unproductive and not fertile. The
speaker said he preferred the arid
to the humid belt, because, with proper
attention, sufficient moisture in the
West could be used to the best advan-
tage by the right sort of treatment.
The congress adjourned until s a. m
Monday morning at the capitol.