Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-08-26


farmers who have gone directly into the
councils OF the state and nation is so in
compsrahly small as to lead Us at first TO
infer thet they are OF class OF non con-
pos Hsentis, a brainless class OF mechanical
s 'N-digaers
LIT us take few facts to illustrate our
position. OF the forty governors VITO
have administered the affairs Of the Stste
q Maine since its adoption As state, two
MY ave made some pretensions IN the
liae u agriculture, and out of the forty
8 majors that Maine has sent to Wash ng-
ton can't find a single one who has as
ceuded from a milking stool on q Maine
farm 20 a seat in that digniied and hon
orsbie body.
Out OF more than 200 representatives
that Maine has sent to Congress during 2
period of more than eighty years, but
five,claimed to be farmers by occupation,
representing the more than 80 900 farms
IN Maine who have found a seat in the
House of Representatives.
During he last quarter OF a century the
number OF farmers In our State Legislature
have dwindled down from more thsn
fifty to about twenty five In the last leg
islsture, ana this in state where about
one-nalf of its population is in the rurs
district, and nearly one halt its wealth
invested In agriculture.
In other words, the farmers OF Maine
have had less than one-twentieth part of
their just and rightful representation in
the law making bodies of the nation,
do not make this as complaint; i make
it as bold, bare statement OF facts tost
reed to be remedied. for so long as far
mers are content to be represented by
proxy, they will have laws that are not
farmers laws; they viii witness, session
after session, appropr lat ions that are not
at all in harmony with the economy they
are obliged to practice in their daily vo-
cations.
They will see their taxes raised to- meet
unwarran.able outlays, to pay constantly
increasing salaries and newly created bur-
densome sineeures for fstted politicians,
and the needful improvements that affect
the farmers life and industry pass I'M
needed.
look upon the great order Of the Pa
irons Of Husbandry as the hope Of the
farmers OF to-day, and I believe 1t to be
the duty OF every farmer to pledge to 1t
his lifelong adherence and support. 1t
knows no party. sect, set, or nationality.
1t was founded for the tillers Of the
soil to ft them to be true representatives
in the worlds civilization, and 1t is
marching grandly on to fulfll its high
destiny. These oranges, with their IL
brsries, their Intellectual exercises and
social entertain ments, are fast becoming
the farmers institutes of learning and
schools Of culture, and nurseries where
the great men of the future will take
their first steps In ststesmanship, oratory
and authorship.
We have men with us TO day who stand
high In the councils Of our order, and
high in the service of theirg state and ma
ton, who will speak to us words OF wis
dom and power touching the order we
represent.
Again we welcome you to the heart OF
our order, to this grove filed with men,
cries OF past occasions, and crowned with
the simplicity OF natural beauty.
Breathe this bracing air, drink from
this health giving spring, rest beneath
these cooling shades, drink in the inspi-
ration Of the hour, forget for the time
your home cares and duties, cement old
fr iepdsbips and former scqusintsnces,
that you may return to your homes and
your business lighter in heart, brighter
In mind, and stronger in body.