Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-09-27
The Farmer in Politics.

The Farmer in Politics.
Accepting the report of the secretary
of agriculture as authority, the En-
metsburg Democrat shows that while
there are 5,470,O0O fewer hogs in the
country than in 1894, prices are lower
than in that year. In September, 1894,
they ranged from $3.50 to 6,75; last
Monday from 1920 to S4.65. Again,
while the number of cattle, exclusive of
mich COWS, is 1854, 900 less than years
ago, the advance IN price is not at all
commensurate with the decline Of stock
and the increase of population. But
while the farmer is not getting scarcity
prices for his hogs and cattle, consum-
ers are paying almost famine prices for
pork and beef. The explanation? 1t is
supplied by the packers trust. That
combination controls the market. 1t
compels hog and cattle raiser, to accept
what it chooses to give, and forces con
sumers to pay what it demands. With
one hand it robs the agriculturist, with
the other it despoils the denizen of the
city. Iowa farmers and consumers may
like to be victimized by this form of pill
lage. If they do they will vote to keep
Shaw in the governors chair and tosend
Gear back to the United States senate.
If they don't, they will vote for Fred
White and for legislators who will
choose senator that will represent the
people instead of Interpretations, trusts
and syndicates.
E And this suggests thought that Is
worthy of consideration. One-half the
farmers of the country vote for one po-
litical party and the other half for the
other. The opposing elements thus
neutralize each other, and 80 the agri-
cultural interest, which is more impor-
tant than all others, is practically elimi-
mated as factor in the control and di-
rection of government. The note issu-
ing banks, bondholders, great transpor-
tation and insurance corporations, trusts
monopolies and syndicates make no
such mistake. They do not weaken
themselves by division, but strengthen
themselves by union. They have com
mon interests, and to protect and pro-
mote these they act in common The
bankers who want legislation that will
enable them to increase their note issues,
or the great creditors who want money
made dearer that they may take more
from their debtors, support the railway
companies that desire pooling law, the
protects who want higher tariffs, the
trusts that want to be left alone and the
rail carrying companies that are schem-
ing for pooling law. The object of all
these is spoilation of the people, and
each reciprocally approves the purposes
and supports the demands of the others.
They do not scatter and diminish their
strength by helping different parties.
They make their strength effective by
unitedly supporting the republican par
ty. Because of the vast wealth and
capital they control and represent and
the mighty influence they therefore pos
sess, they have acquired command OF
the republican party; and hence it is
that the legislation and the administra
tive acts Of that organization are in
their exclusive interest regardless of the
interests of any other class or classes.
The interests of the Iowa, Minnesots
and Dakota farmers are not different
from those of the farmers of Missouri
Askansas and Tennessee. National leg
islation and policies that injuriously o.
beneficially affect the agriculturists o.
one state or section injuriously or bene
ficislly affect those of every other state
and section. The interests of farmer
are tie same in every part of the union
and having common interests the sol
tillers are doing fatuous thing and in
nicting tremendous self-injury in divid
ing their votes and reducing themselve
toimpotency as political factor. Whil
they cast their ballots, under existin,
| COn0isiOAo euCy olc q Sipuol III dCIud
government. No more attention is pai,
to their welfare by congress and the ad
ministration than if they were Russian
! moujiks or Chinese coolies. They cal
become the influence in governmen
, which by reason of their number an,
! Importance they ought to be, only b
! initiating the example Of combined an
organized capital. 1t is period of OF
: ganization and community of purpos
and action for elf-protection. Thos
. who have or want observation-disclosures
privileges have pooled their issues, an
in politics are fighting shoulder to shou
!. der. Why should not those who hav
! no privileges and whose Industries ar
unprotected do the same !? Where
3 the sense in one Dubuque, Delaware
: Buchanan, Blackhawk or Bremen cour
]. ty farmer voting one way and anothe
3 another? Farmers have no interest
!. that are antagonistic. Legislation mus
8 be good, bad or Indifferent for all alik,
d All therefore, should vote the same va,
l. and as they are producers, and republ
can legislation is not for producers br
y for those who exploit them, it ought
IS be very easy matter, If they will onl
3 do themselves the service and the ju
tice of setting partisanship aside an
considering what is best for them an
their families, for all farmers to dete
mine the party they should support.
Dubuque Telegraph.