Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-08-22
A BROAD MINDED FARMER.
address OF President Condage at Ma
tional Farmers Congress-.

colorado Springs, August 21.-In his an
hual audfesS before the Farmers con-
sfess, this afternoon, President Candage
SAID. among other things of his fine
speech: ~
The time has come for the farmers
manufacturers and commercial men to
unite and demand from our national
government an American mail service
10 south America. and to other foreign
countries in steamships under our own
flag. 1t is Well known that trade follows
the flag of the nation which floats and
uDholds it.
south American countries are our
~nelghbors and natural allies in trade and
commerce. and yet, for lack of direct
mail and shipping facilities Europeans
supply them with the bulk of their i'm
ported commodities
An American merchant marine, which
IS needed by every industry of our coun-
try for the extension of our foreign mar
kets. and as an aid to our navy, should
De urged by this ongre to the consid-
Grafton of the United States congress.
1T has Ions been a question before the
latter body, and it has suffered long de-
lays; but has not the time now come for
action? No country like ours, with an
extensive s~eacoast, with extensive ex-
ports n imports, can expect to contin-
ue prosperous without an efficient mer-
chant marine. There is too great a drain
upon our financial without it.
"And there should be a canal con-
strueted and controlled by the United
States to connect the Atlantic and Paci-
fic oceans. for the benefit of our COM
merce in time of peace, and for the bene-
hit of our navy in time of war.
This congress can, if it deemed wise
by resolutions, aid in bring
ing about this desirable connection be-
tween the eastern and western coasts of
our country by a canal uniting the two
oceans.
'The need of the farmer is a better
education for his calling. an education
which shall equip him with a knowledge
of soils and crop adaptability to them,
that shall produce the best results
There are technical schools scattered
widely apart which teach those things
scientifically, but few farmers or their
sons have been situated SO as to enjoy
the training they afford, therefore have
had to rely on their own resources.
"It has been suggested by able writer's
on farm education, and by the president
of this congress in his annual addresses
in 1899, that a system of rudilnentary ag-
ricultural teachings should be intro
duced and taught in the public schools.
This is a subject of great interest. n
worthy of the careful consideration of
this body. Let the farmers of the coun-
try study the subject. and when the
right course has been determined, let
them lead a measure of such Importance
to themselves and to their children
us it not time that the holders of
United States government bonds should
pay a just proportion OF taxes? The law
exempting them was a war measure, and
was justifiable at the time, but nearly
40 years lave passed, the credit of the
government is beyond question, and yet
the exemption remains.
'The middling classes seldom do and
! the poorer classes cannot invest in
them. They are taken by the we'll to do,
and those who may desire to evade taxa
( fiOn Some men and soma families "A re
said to have $50, 600, 900 or more invested
in that manner, and all the government
bond issues are free of taxation, which
other property must make good.
"NVhv. in the equity and justice of the
case should one be exempt from the pay-
lnent of a tax on 81, 500, 600 received from
the United States government as inter-
est on $50 900, 900 of 3 per cent. bonds.
when the farmer from 1.-The sweat of his
face" pays on all he possesses, whether
he makes a profit or a loss by the tilage
of the soil?
"a large part of the population of this
country is engaged in agricultural pur-
suits, and should be fairly represented
in the halls of legislation. Such, how
ever, is not the case, as the farmer is sell
dom chosen for such work. Not but what
he is able, honest and intelligent, but be
cause he does not of his own volition
seek political p~referment, nor does his
| class insist upon his representing them.
When they do he will be elected. not only
to their advantage but to the great ad-
vantage of the country at large.
This congress has no power to legis-
late, but, by it's broad statesnanlike dis
! cussions and expressions, it can create
a public opinion which may in time be-
come legislation, not for the benefit of
! the farmer alone, but for the benefit of
I. the community of which he is a part.
/. Legislators and public men as a rule sell
!. dom out-run public sentiment, but lay
: hold of questions and measures which
are brought to their attention and have
+. public approval. The mission of this
: congress through it's wisdom and knowl-
(; edge of public affairs is to lead public
: opinion"