Mexico weekly ledger., 1897-05-27
The Farmers Industrial Club.
Correspondencs of the Ledger,

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Correspondence of the Ledger.
MEXICO, Mo-, May 20.-A majority
of the members of the House were
farmers, or those in sympathy with
them, and suppose, for the first time
in the history of the Missouri Legisla-
ture, these members organized their
forces for concerted action on all
measures of interest to the people,
and especially the interests of the
producers of wealth and the laboring
class.
The organization was known as
"The Farmers Industrial Club" This
organization was very bitterly de-
nounced by some of the metropolitan
papers, which are in the interests of
trusts and combines. 1t was charged
that the farmers were doing, them
selves what they very bitterly con-
demned in others COM
bine. 1t is to be very much regretted
that there is necessity for such ac-
ton. 1t does not show a healthy con-
dition of public affairs. Were all our
people imbued with that spirit of
patriotism and devotion to the best
interests of the whole people that
ought to be, there would be no need
of such club in legislative body, nor
would it be tolerated or attempted.
Int y so r. hot
in it's various forms, is great corpo-
ration or combination, thoroughly and
completely organized, and acts in such
harmony as to build up colossal for
tunes at the expense of the toiling
millions, it will be very easily COM
pretended that the only remedy, If
there be remedy, is in the thorough
organization of these toilers. The
great misfortune of the agricultural
class has always been the lack of CO.
operation, or if an organization has
ever been effected designing men
have brought about its disruption.
This organization was not an oath
bound body, nor were its sessions
secret, as sometimes represented.
True, it generally met at night and
behind closed doors; that is, the doors
were not thrown open to the public,
and yet any member had access to its
meetings. Nor did it stop here. Any
person, whether member or not, was
privileged to come before it in ad-
vocacy of any measure or against any
measure.
In its sessions were the freest dis
cussions of all bills, both for and
against. Each side in turn was allow
ed to present the merits or dement's
of measure, and these were always
accorded a patient and respectful
hearing. By this procedure the or
ganization became familiar with all
the details of every measure to be
voted on, understanding its advan-
tages or defects and were the better
prepared to act inteligently in cast
ing their vote. Over fifty bills were
discussed before this body and passed
the House. ---~--s.--.a.
I have mentioned something of the
lobby and lobbying. Mr.. Bryan, in
his address to the Assembly, told US,
and truthfully, that there are two
kinds of lobbying, one legitimate, the
other illegitimate; one intelligent and
needfuI, the other debasing and fraud
ulent. The legitimate lobbyist is the
one who comes before you openly and
presents the merits of the measure be
represents and leaves it to stand or
fall upon those merits, or the one who
openly opposes and shows the de-
merits of a measure. This kind of
lobbying is asked for and is absolute
ly necessary to the full understanding
of every measure. The sessions are
short and business is crowded. In the
hurry and hustle of legislation great
many measures could not be under
stood without this discussion. This
organization sought and opened any
avenue for such information. An
honest measure does not fear investi-
cation.
Illegitimate lobbying is that that
would mislead, deceive, bribe, intim-
ldate or carry measure by unfair
means. Honest lobbying is honorable,
even though the one sent to present
the merits of the measure may be an
employed or paid agent. The dis
honest lobbyist is generally profess
ional that makes his money that way.
This latter had but little influence up
on the Farmers Club, as the bills they
supported will attest. Il will state
that was not member of this body
until toward the close of the session,
feeling that I was not entitled to
membership, though I supported its
measures.)
This organization was not like a
Democratic or Republican caucus,
binding all its members to abide the
action of the majority, but after full
and free discussion each voted his
convictions. Generally they voted to-
gether. 1t was composed of every
political party, party distinctions were
laid aside and what was considered to
be to the best interests of the people
was acted upon irrespective of party.
Among those important measures
that came before the organization and
passed the House was freight bill No.
3, reducing freight rates on live stock
and grain 25 per cent. This bill was
of special interest to the agricultural
class, ,benefitting all classes, and in my
judgment was the most important
railroad legislation that came before
the Assembly.
l think the farmers recognized the
fact that railroads had interests that
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