Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-11-03
The Farmers View Of Politics.


A letter to state exchange from a
sturdy tiller of the SOIL contains the
following, which should be read with
care by our agricultural brethren.
Read what he says:
Every republican state convention
denounced trusts with more or less
vehemence. The Iowa republicans
purposely made their socalled anti
trust deliverance so ambiguous and in
definite as to be subject to any con-
struction which it may suit the indi-
vidual to put upon 1T. The democrat
ic convention made a clear and en-
phatic declaration that is capable of
one Interpretation. 1t is unequivo-
cally against the combinations of
3capital that menace individual and
national liberty.
We today are confronted by an an
omalous political situation. While re-
publican conventions are adopting re-
solutions against trusts, republican
organs without exception, are defend
ing them, and endeavoring to con-
vince the people that they are great
public blessings. 1t is significant of
the fact that no relief from the liv-
ing danger of trusts can be hoped for
from the republican party.
The opportunity will, in a few
weeks, be offered Iowa farmers to
make choice between approving or
condemning the combinations that
endanger not only their prosperity,
but their political freedom. Fred
White, democratic candidate for gov
ernor, stands for tho interests of agri-
culture. He is close to the soil. Him
self a farmer. he is identified with the
farming industry. He knows the
needs of the farmer and is ccustomed
to the toll and trials which farmers
have to endure.
The farmers of Iowa have now the
opportunity of honoring by their sup
port man who is one of themselves,
and in honoring him they honor their
calling. Iowa has not for years had a
farmer in the executive chair. The
lawyer has monopolized the honors of
public office the farmer has been rele-
gated to the back seat, as if he had
not the intelligence or ability or
worth to hold the highest office in the
gift of the electorate. This is so be-
cause the farmers themselves have
consented that it shall be SO. They
have permitted themselves to be
bossed by the political truncheon
flourisher. They have not had the
courage to demand share of political
honors and have submitted to the
lash of the party leader because they
lacked independence.
This is year when farmers ought
to stand together. 1t is year when
a blow should be struck for the farm
ers' interests and against the trusts.
which are menace and constant
danger to those interests. Is there
any reason why farmers should not
unite to elect one of their own call
ing to the gubernatorial chair? Mr..
White is uncompeomisingly opposed
to trusts; he is man of wide learn
ing; he has had more political expert
ence than Gov. Shaw. He won his ci-
tizenship by service on the battlefield
fighting for sold Glory" He started
in life on small farm, and all that
he has of worldly possessions he earn-
ed with the help, of his wife, on the
farm.
Why should not the farmers of
Iowa honor their profession by elect
log him? Why should they not say to
the professional politicians that there
is as much brains, intelligence and
worth among farmers as~.among law
yers and note brokers? Iowa is pre-
eminently an agricultural state and it
is fitting that farmer should share
the political honors and responsible
ties of public Office.
WY. 1olldW ID uclcuucF W lie
trusts. His sympathies are with
them. This is not q baseless asser-
ton. His record proves this assertion.
A vote for him is an Endorsement of
the trusts. Which will the farmer en-
dorse? The contest is between the
farmer and the note broker. Is it not
reasonable to think that the farmers
will stand by the farmer candidates:
Are farmers SO bound by party shack
les that they will vote against their
own interests; against one of them
selves? 1t is not credible that they
should do so. Let us for ONCE put
farmer in the executive Office.
HN = n r e ES q R.