The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-01-18
First Iu Politics, Etc.

| Paper read in Pomona Grange at skowhe-
gan, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 1900 by MRS. Il. r.
| Croweli
| What obstacles hinder the farmers
from being first in politics, in society
and the hsppest people on earthY
The farmer in politics has in the past
been considered behind the times. Agri-
culture was not deemed such an impor'
tant industry, that its interests needed
to be represented in halls of legislature
by the farmer, himself. Farmers AZ
class are not so well educated In litera-
ture. They are more familiar with the
book of nature than the standard
authors. The landscape on which his
ewes rest day after day is his geography.
Profit and loss on his STOCK and farm
pl oduce, his arithmetic. But under his
weather beaten hat his mind has been
slowly revolving the problems OF so
much Importance to bis class. He sees
and feels the many weights which hold
him down, v hich hinder him from hav-
ing equal rights with his city brothers.
| He sees the importance of looking about
him, of investigating, of putting more
bought into his daily labor, OF edueat-
ing his sons and daughters that they
may profit by his losses; that the lar
mer hims 1t must represent his interests
in the legislature and halls Of Congress;
that by equal rights and equal taxation
With his city brothers he may be 0ene-
| fitted and be able to rise IN politics aud
society.
The farmer does not make the most OF
| L. H. h,,xy fnr ind
culture to become first in society.
! Every farmer Can today provide MS
family with good wholesome literature.
By dint of economy good books and
papers can be placed in hands of hi
children, food for pure thoughts, per-
spective of pure actions and noble deeds
| Good literature in the farmers home
should be as much part of the daily
food as those articles which go to make
up the daily meals.
There has been no hindrance too great
for some of the farmers boys of the past
| n becoming first in politics and first In
society. They have helped to make the
history OF our country from Geo. Wash
| ington, who was n farmer. down to the
present day. We remember that such
men rs Lincoln, Grant, Garfield and
| long list of names OF great men, who
! have been first In politics, were farmers
sons and at some time in their lives
lived on the farm, titled the soil, did th'
chores, etc. Just like our farmer boys OF
today are doing.
How came they to leave the farm an'
rise to the heights of fame and becom
! first 10 politics and first In society !?
| There was Ia their make ups, bora an
bred in fish and bone the thirst for
knowledge, an innate desire TO climb the
ladder the encouraging Influence OF a
noble MOI her INSPIRED them w 30 10 tht
topmost round.
| The invig0rating bracing air OF the
country, stimulated those boys and girls
who have made for themselves names
which shall live on as long as history
shall continue TO make itself.
| The bows and girls Of today, on the
farm have greater privileges of learning.
They are coming to the front every year.
AS fast as the emergencies OF our coun-
try demand they are taking their places.
They were raised on the farm, they had
their start there, and they made the
most of their opportunities.
Better schools are needed In the rural
districts to help make our farmers boys
and girls, first in society and first in poll
tics. When the farmers wives have equal
rights with their husbands then will
they become first In politics, first In So
ciety and the happiest people on earth.
Unequal taxation has been hinder
ance to the farmer, for his taxes like his
shadow at midday, dog his footsteps
and like the death penalty must be paid.
The grange is great educator to the
farmer. 1t draws him out of the de- p
ruts of old habits and sets him to think
ing.
some farmers do not do as much think
ing as they ought. If his crops fail he
does'not set himself to thinking, why
they failed, but grumbles about his bad
luck, while his neighbor with little
more brain power and will power seeks
to know the reason of his failures. He
investigates and experiments, reads,
goes to the grange, takes part In the
general discussion, asks questions and
next season tries to intelllgently plant
and care for his crops, studies their
nature, works, and is better satisfied
with the results.
Religious meetings and church privi-
leges are much neglected in the country
The ii fluenee is apparent. Farmers MS
rule are not so much interested In the
church and the good acquired In connec-
ton with religious worship and Sunday
schools, which tend to cultivation of the
mind. This binders him from being
first in society.
Tlling the soil is the oldest occupa-
tion on earth. Living near to natures
heart as the farmer does he should teel
while planting and sowing, hoeing and
reaping. and gathering In his harvests.
that lie is living near to the great hear
of the Infinite God of the universe who
sends the sunshine and rain and dews OF
heaven to bless his efforts, and that If he
is not first in politics, he is first in so
ciety and among the happiest people on
earth.
1t has been demonstrated repeatedly in
evprv State In the ITnion and in many