Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1910-02-23
PROD YOUR CONGRESSMAN.
President barrett Calls on the FARM
crs to Exert their influence.

Washington, Feb. S.-President
G. S. Barrett, of the Farmers Union,
has launched what promises to be
one Of the greatest farmers cam
paigns IN many years.
He has sent out letter to mem
bers of the union, reminding them of
their wonderful united power, and
calling on them to get in behind
Congress in behalf Of specified legls-
lation
The letter now sent out is only the
precursor OF others aimed at concen-
trating the attention OF + f,rmers on
Congress. II Is as follows:
To the officers and members of
the Farmers Union: In obtaining
measures Of direct interest to our
members, the slowness of law-mak-
ers to resp ond to our requests is al
most as much the fault Of the farm
ers as It is Of the .aw-makers them
selves.
Many Of the leading congressman
told us, in substance, after some lit
tie conversation: why didn't you
come up before, face to face, this
way, and get in behind us? or
course, we understand we made the
farmers promises, and we expect you
to call on us to redeem them
That's the milk in the cocoanut
with these and every other Congress
man.
Brethren, don't let them forget:
And the only way you can keep them
from forgetting you is not to forget
them!
81 have watched interest after
interest work here through its rep
resentatives, and it came to me forci-
bly, that not a one Of them, nor all
OF them combined, and then doubled,
is so powerful as the farmers of this
country.
"But all the power in creation
would not forward the fight unless
you keep in behind your Congress-
man and refuse to let him develop a
poor memory.
There is hardly farmer in the
organization, or out Of it for that
matter, who doesn't remember how
the Congressman, when a candidate,
tod him CT his undying love. and
how he promised this and that and
Just asked to be given chance TO
get this and that.
promising brother gentle reminders,
from time to time, in the shane of
genial little letters, inquiring after
his health. telling him you remem-
bered how much he loved you, and
asking him when he expects to get
busy securing some Of those things
he used 10 talk about?
Mighty few OF you, reckon. The
most of YOU recover from the ex-
citement OF political campaign like
getting over the measles, then
stralghtway proceed to forget about
the necessity OF keeping in touch with
the man who holds your commission
IN Congress. Then when another
candidate comes along, frothing at
the mouth like a mad bull, and tells
YOU how you have been betrayed,
you vote him in and the other fell
low out-and then get busy, go out
and dig potatoes, chop cotton, patch
the barn roof or something else and
forget Mr.. Number Two.
That practice more than any 9TH
cr one factor explains the failure Of
the American farmer to secure SER
vice at the hands of Congress.
Greatest Force in the Land.
"You are the mightiest force in the
land to-day. Up here they are all
Collectively you make the power OF
Roosevelt. or Taft, or Aldrich, or
Cannon look like thirty cents.
Fhe thing to do is to realize that
power by not forgetting your Con-
sreSSmcn.
Another thing. We are here right !
now for the purpose OF fixing up |
hings and keeping YOU posted. We |
ire going to do that, from time to
lme, In the most complete manner.
'teno%raphic minutes Of every con-
erence are being kept, and trained
ma faithful members are lining IN
md investigating congressman,
Weighing, promises against perform
nee, and burning the midnight oil
II your interest.
'But. in the meantime, don't for
get that forgctful Congressman, and
lon't let him forget you.
Write him sweet, questioning,
'entlc little love letter.
"Charlcs S. Barrett
- aShingtOn ID C. l'ph l.