Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-22
FARMERS CONGRESS
NATIONAL SESSION OPENS TODAY
AT NIAGARA FALLS.
Gov. Odell Addresses Them and Points
Out the Obligations Of the
American Citizen.

NIAGARA FALLS. N. Y, September %
The farmers national congress assembled
here today in twenty-third annual session.
being called to order by President George
L. Flanders Of Albany. Governor Odeh DC
livered an address of welcome, in which he
said:
Gov. Odell, after a few PREDATORY words,
said:
The recognition which has been given by
the national and state governments to the
farming interests of our country might at
first glance appear to be in the direction OF
paternalism yet 1t is important in Its
effect as any legis --don which can be en-
acted for the benefit Of the people as
whole. 1t is as much the duty Of the gov
eminent to aid in the development OF the
soil of the country as it is to protect its ar
tisans against unjust discrimination or UNI
fair competition at home or abroad; to aid
in promoting the material welfare OF It's
citizens, as it is to stamp out disease or
epidemic which may threaten the lives Of
individuals. This encouragement which the
government extends does not lead to de-
pendent spirit, but rather makes our c1ti-
zenship more self-reliant and more patri-
OlC.
Good citizenship
Discussing the qualities that go to make
good citizens, Gov. Odell summed up the
subject as follows:
"A good citizen is product of the great
est value to tie country. His culture and
development is as necessary as the cultiva-
ton of our fertile fields and valleys. The
vicious uneducated man in the center
around which revolves those whose IDEAS
are antagonistic to civil, religious and in
dividual rights. One of the first duties,
therefore of our country Is to fight cease
lessly and energetically against all classes
who defy law and whose principles are a
menace to society. We do find such people
all over the country. The farmer, the me-
chanic and the professional man are respon-
sible for such conditions, when they exist.
II they have made no effort to place within
the reach of all these ury-stricken peo-
pie. these dwarfed intellectualities. that
which is the basis and foundation Of con-
tentment; that is, decent homes fair re-
Enumeration and hours Of toll that will per-
NIT Of social and Intellectual enjoyment"
Governor Odell entered plea in behalf OF
politicians and public officers whose efforts
are directed to the peoples good, and pro-
tested against carping criticism and the as
sumption that because man is politician
he is necessarily dishonest. In conclusion,
he said:
Duty and Power.
"It is your duty to use your influence and
your power to better the conditions and to
win back to useful membership in society
by the force of example those whose en-
vironment has not been such as to make Of
them good citizens. To use the power which
you possess in the halls Of legislation to
correct abuses which may exist, and to aid
in the fight which is being made by the
disease and crime among those to whom
Gods bright sunlight IL almost unknown;
to aid those who do not enjoy the advan-
tages necessary to give to them that con-
ception Of what liberty in our country
means. that understanding SO essential to
good citizenship"