Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-18
BARRETT URGES FARMERS
TO PROD CONGRESSMAN
Says Latter's "SIoWnesS" is
Partly the Fault of
the Farmers
lsnecial Dispatch to The journal. }

Especial Dispatch to The Journal)
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-President
Charles S. Barrett, of the Farmers
union, has written letter to the officers
and members, in which he declares that
'the slowness of the Lawmakers to re-
spond to our requests is AMIDST as much
the fault of the farmer as Of the law
makers
Says Mr.. Barrett
To the officers and Members of the
Farmers Union: In obtaining meas"
ures of direct interest to our members,
the slowness of the Lawmakers to re-
spond to our requests is almost as much
the fault of the farmer as of the law
maker.
Manyfof the leading congressman told
us, in substance, after some little con-
versation: why didn't you come up
before. faee TO face this way, and get in
behind Us? of course, we understand
we made the farmers promises, and we
expect you to call on us to redeem
them"
MILK IN THE COCOANUT.
That's the milk in the cocoanut, with
these and with every other congress
man.
Brethren, don't let us forget! And
the only way you can keep them from
forgetting you, is not to forget them!
l have watched interest" after lin
terest' work here through it's represent
atives, and it came to me forcibly, that
not one of them, nor all of them COM
bined and then doubled, is so powerful
as the farmres of this country.
But all of the power in creation would
not forward the fight, unless you keep
in behind your congressman and refuse
TO let him develop a poor memory.
Hardly a farmer in the organization,
or out of it for that matter who doesn't
remember how the congressman, when
a candidate told him of his undying love,
and how he promised this and that and
just asked to be given a chance to get
this and that.
How many of you have sent this
promising brother gentle reminders,
from time to time, in the shape of genial
little letters, inquiring after his health,
telling him you remembered how much
he loved you, and asking him when he
expects to- get busy securing some of
ithose things he used to talk about?
FORGET TO WORK.
Mighty few of you, 1 reckon Most
of you recover from the excitement of a
political campaign like getting over the
measles, then straightway proceed to
forget about the necessity of keeping In
touch with the man who holds your
commission in congress. Then when an
other candidate comes along, frothing at
the mouth like mad bull and tells you
how you've been betrayed, you vote him
in and the other fellow out-and then
\eet busy, go out and dig potatoes, chop
cotton, patch the barn roor or something
else. and forget Mr.. No. Two!
That practice, more than any other
one factor, explains the failure of the
American farmer to secure service at
the hands of the congress.
You are the mightiest in this land to
day. Up here, they are all afraid of
you, and with good cause Collectively.
you make the power of Taft or Roose-
welt or Aldrich or Cannon look like 30
cents.
The thing to do, is to realize that
power by not forgetting your congress-
man.
Another thing. We are here right now
for the purpose OF fixing up things and
keeping you posted. We're going to do
that from time to time, in the most
complete manenr. Stenographic minutes
are being kept of every conference.
trained and faithful members are lining
up and investigating congressman.
weighing promise against performance.
and burning the midnight oil in your in
terest
But-in the meantime-don't forget
that forgetful congressman, and don't
let him forget you.
Write him a sweet, questioning. gentle
little love-letter
CHARLES S. BARRETT.
Washington, d. c., Feb Is, 1910.