The sun., 1903-09-23
ODELL TALKS TO The FARMERS
URGES THEN NOT TO CRITICISE
PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
Also Tells Them That a Good Citizen Is
. Useful PrOduct-And Other Things
Equally TrucThen Tie Goes 10 Lock-
port and Lets Tim Woodruff Talk.

NIAGARA FALLS. Sept. 22.-The twenty
thirt, annual convention of the Farmers
National Congress was begun to-day in
the auditorium of the National Food
Company. Gov. Odell welcomed the 800
delegates and in his speech said:
1t is pleasure to meet those who not only
labor for their own advancement, but are on
the alert at all times to aid others by impart-
ing knowledge TO those who are less success
ful. The recognition which has been given
by the national and State Governments to the
farming interest OF our country might at first
glance appear to be in the direction OF pater-
nalism, yet 1t is as important IN tts elect us
any legislation which can be- enacted Tor the
benefit of the people MS n whole.
II is as much the duty Of the Government
to aid i'll the development of the soil OF the
SoGntry as is to protect Its artisans asaIis,
at home and abroad to aid In promoting the
material welfare OF its citizens, as it is TO stamp
put disease or epidemic Thich may threaten
which the Government extends does not lead
to a dependent spirit. but rather makes our
citizenship more self reliant. and more pa
One of the thoughts which impress me
as | view this audience is that even IN THIS
our prosperous condition there are things
which should engage our attention and which
are of as much Importance as any which have
to do with the material wealth and prosperity
OF our country.
ROOu cltlZen Is pTOuuCt Oh
value to the country, His culture and de-
velopment are as necessary AS the cultivation
of our fertile fields and valleys. Rapacity
and greed for wealth are the weeds whicih
bring discomfort just as the failures TO cul
tivate the fields brings disaster and ruin
to the shittless,
Commendation of the efforts of those who
work for the public good is always 70 be de-
sired. 1t is an encouragement to sell reliant
manhood. On the contrary, unjust crltl-
cism. whether by the individual or by the
,t,l l.,t, yn,tn nnH NJ
dranCe TO good government Honest crltl-
cism is always desirable and ofttimes prevents
abuses, and is II corrective form IN the Douy
polite,
A good citizen is "A man who respects he
laws who performs every function OF the
State which has been committed to his charge.
of the general good, The citizen who Is
carping in his criticism. who believes that Il
politician is naturally dishonest man pc
cause he is posan 70 ana sspt psoa an
obstacle in the path of advancement. ~
Nor is the Government progressive whicn
owes popular approval to low TAX rate or
statement believe that wisdom and economy
and honesty should not alone be the stand
ard OF municipal. State and national govern,
ment but that whatever may be for the good
of the majority should be conceded without
hesitation. The material prosperity OF our
people is not measured entirely by the pos
session Of wealth. Rugged. vigorous heath;
mental and physical. Is as much to be desired
because it will enable us to participate IN the
prosperity of the country, to respect lts laws
and glory In its sncceSs it,
II is therefore the duty of every patriotic
man to encourage by his vote and by his voice
those who are Interested in the public welfare
and upon whom the respons bility for the
proper enforcement of or laws rests. to
participate in the affairs of state. to be poll,
tcans in the highest sense as men Interested
in the public good We should resent In
nuendo, misrepresentation or miSstatements
which seek to belittle our country. our laws
or our representatives. 4 man with grieV-
ar,ce is always to he avoided, and this IS true
whether il be public or private life. There
fore when man assais our laws. our system
Of government or its officials 1t is well TO
stop and inquire the cause and reason before
basing conclusion upon mere assumptions.
compelling the production of proofs before
condemning men or results.
At the afternoon session ex-Leut Gov.
Woodruff talked 10 the delegates about
Agricultural conditions understood to
exist in our insular possessions, and the
possibilities in their development and
Secretary Cortelyou assured them that the
depart ments of Labor and Commerce and
OF Agriculture would work in harmony.
Gov Odell left this afternoon for Lock-
port to spend the night with Timothy E.
Ellsworth