The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1906-05-02
TIE GREAT
AMERICAN FARMER.

1417 1t Street, n. W.,
Washington, April 26
Among the many things that come
up for consideration and for speech.
making in the house of representa-
tives while it is trying to take as
much time as possible passing the
few important bills it has been de-
creed it shall pass is the American
farmer. The American farmer, as
We all know, is 9 great institution.
The agricultural bill' is before the
house this week and Representative
Asbury f. Lever, sometimes known
as the Honorable A. Frank Lever of
the Seventh congressional district OF
South Carolina. took opportunity
yesterday to deliver himself Of few
of his ideas, very good ideas, too,
about this great institution. the
American farmer. just before max
ing his speech Mr.. Lever was heard
to say 10 some Of his colleagues, on
the side, that he would not swap bis
place on the agricultural committee
with any Of them, not even to be
chairman of the ways and means
committee, or worA Of that effect or
along that lire. He ives loaded then
Tor his speech. which he was about to
make. He made it. Contrary to the
general custom when such speeches
ere made, he got good and respect
fnl as well as semi respectable hear
ing. About one-third OF the men,
bers we're in their seats, q fair aver
age on an occasion, and they not only
listened attentively, but they fre-
quently interrupted the speaker with
applause. When he finished speak.
ing something like dozen OF his col
leagues left their seats and went up
to shake hands and congratulate him.
The great American farmer and the
agricultural department. seemed to be
his subject. he said among many
other things that the first suggestion
Of department. of agriculture for the
government came from message
sent to congress by the "Father OF
His Country" in which he recon-
mended 8 governmental agency,
which should be charged with the
duty Of stimulating enterprise and
experimenting along agricultural
lines" The. suggestions of Gen.
Washington were met with favor by
the wisest and best statesmanship OF
that period. The response Of the
senate to those suggestions was writ
ten by South Carolinian, Senator
Read. The truth is, !" asserted MIR.
Lever, ssthat from the earliest days
Of this republic the Sonth has been
vitality interested in every effort to
better the condition of the agricul-
tural classes and there is no section
Of the country which gives heartier
support to the present administra.
ton Of the departmental of agriculture.
The South believes in the integrity
and wisdom of Secretary Wilson and
it believes that he, at least, will give
the South q square DEAL"
Mr.. Lever charged that the gov
ernment had been tardy in extending
aid to agriculture, "the most potent
agency in our industrial develop.
ment," and declared that this tardi.
ness reflected on the patriotic fore
sieS Of the nation. "Fos." said be,
s 90 policy Of liberality to agriculture
woan bring to the country two
fold benefit. It would help the
farmer individually and would add to
Che svenue of the government by
increasing the farmers taxable prop
erty." He also claimed that such
recognition as agriculture snally won
from congress the result # Demo
cratic effort. A Democratic OF Missouri,
Mr.. Hatch, lead the fight in the
house, and the act was signed by
Democratic president.
He said that agriculture was the
gl >..k.;Lrkor of tho natiop's