The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1898-08-18
TO THE CITIZENS OF COBB COUN-
TY AND OF GEORGIA.
On the Farm, Cobb, Co.,
August II, 1898.

August II, 1898.
/ have probably delayed too long in
making the announcement that the
state executive committee of the Peo-
pies Party, which had been charged
with the duty OF filling all vacancies
on the state ticket, had chosen me to
fill the vacancy caused by the declina-
ton of DR. Glover. AS in the case of
my nomination for clerk Of the Supe-
rior Court, had not sought, or so
much as desired the nomination, but
as Populist, believing with my whole
heart that the only hope Of relief
for the country and for oppressed
industrial classes was in the peo-
pie who create all wealth and sus-
tain and make the government, taking
the officers of government, national,
state, county and municipal in their
hands, and that to do this the people,
not bosses, should choose their own Of
ficials, / accepted the nomination for
Commissioner of Agriculture
Born and raised on the farm, my life
work has been that of an actual farmer,
except at intervals teaching. Ny in
terest and sympathies have ever been
with the industrial classes, and espe-
cially with the farming class, because
of my personal identity with theirs
The wage Garner, the classes who by
the sweat of the face earn their daily
bread, have ever had my highest re-
spect and my confidence, and to them
by means of direct legislation, the
initiative, referendum and imperative
mandate, look for the restoration of
the government of Washington, Jeffer-
son and Jackson, and for the perpetuity
of American institutions.
have regretted the many and bitter
attacks made on the Agricultural Bu-
reau-that it was a costly and worth
less institution, that it was managed
and controlled by the cities and towns,
and that it was only a dumping
ground for the politicians, where they
could find places for those of their class
who had no other means of support,
and that it was used through crop re-
ports to aid the jobbers and specula-
tors, and to provide safe means and sure
methods for the sale of fertilizers "on
time" at high interest, and for the col
lection Of those debts. including sup
plies, for the making of each successive
crop, together with usurious interest
charged
That the only department said to
have been established in the interest
of the agriculturist, should have been
subject to such charges is, and should
be, a matter of sincere regret. What
ever else may be true, from the stand
M inf &c 10 Al l..
handles" on the lookout for the good
and the benefits to be gained from the
department. in knowledge, understand
ing and wisdom in the conduct of my
farm affairs, and in the better prepare
ton of the soil in fertilizing, improv-
ing, cultivating, gathering and dispos-
ing of my products / have failed to see
or feel the touch of the department,
Realizing this much needed want
should | be elected it will be my ear
nest effort, through the Agricultural
department directly or indirectly, to
reach every home in Georgia. To ac-
complish less should regard myself
incompetent and a failure, and not at
tribute my failure to the fault of the
department.
/ shall not promise you to teach our
farmers to make money on three or
or five cent cotton, but to do what
can in the diffusion of that knowledge
which will to some extent aid every
farmer in maintaining, improving and
developing self-supporting home, and
in protecting him against the ag-
gressions of that large class who, with
out work, live and grow fat on the la
Dor of others '.who SOW not, neither do
they spin." yet Solomon in all his
glory" lived not as one of these spec
ulators on the products ofsother mems
labors. Should be elected the patron
age of the Office will, upon the recon-
mendation of farmers, go to those di-
rectly interested and identified with
the farm and not to political deadbeats
or drones on society, whose only use is
that of heelers at elections.
Holding as do that the farmers hav-
ing the greatest interest in the success
of the department, are best Qualified
and have the right to direct the affairs
and management of the office, 1 shall as
far as possible keep myself in close
touch with them and respect their
wishes. Respectfully,
A. H. TALLEY.