Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-12-30
President of Farmers Union
Says That Actions Tell Bet
ter Than All the Labels of
Politics
UNION SHOULD KEEP
WATCH ON CONGRESS
Says Failure to Secure Want
ed Legislation Is Due Large
ly to Failure to Ask for the
Same
Especial Dispatch to The JOurnai.)

Especial Dispatch to The Journal.)
UNION CITY. Ga. Dec 2S-Declaring
that Il is not the political label. but the
bona-fde actions that defines a mans
principles. President C. S. Barrett. OF
the National Farmers union. has ad-
dressed the following letter 20 the Of
icers and members OF the organization:
Throughout America one OF the lead
ing topics for discussion is the recent
elections. and the political overturn
which has given the Democratic party a
strong majority in the national house
Of Representatives
Naturally the farmers OF this country,
and members OF this organization. are
drawn into and participate in the COM
ment
As have before stated, insurgents.
Republicans. Democrats. Socialists
whst-not-all look alike, or should look
alike. to the farmers OF this country
and. emphatically so. to the members Of
the Farmers union
The test is found. not in the label by
which a man Classics his politics. but
in his bona fde actions. the faithfulness
with which he makes promises square
with performance, the fidelity with
which he keeps his contract with the
people,
In ordinary business and social rela-
tions we condemn the man who is guilty
OF breach OF contract or OF bad faith,
even OF duplicity when II comes TO car
rying out his agreement
The same rule. unchanged by the dot
ting OF an a." should rule in politics.
II makes no difference to what party
a Congressman or a legislator, govern
or OF a sheriff owes his allegiance. IL he
disregards the pledges he has made to
his constituents or. by silence and mac
ton, aligns himself against their best
interest
We are going to get results In the way
OF reform in this country when the voter
is as vigilant in his watch upon the Of
ncehoIder as he is in his activities dur
ing campaigns
Therefore. hold IL as merely the die
tates OF common sense that IL Is our
duty to keep close watch on congress
and it's guiding forces, whether admin
istered by the parties now visible or
those that may arrive at some time in
the future
Examine the man. rather than the
party.
II win profit you nothing IL you elect
a Democrat in place OF a Republican. or
an insurgent in place OF standpatter'
II you notice no gam III SCI VIE AASAA AAA~
change
The trouble is. the average farmer
city man, for that matter-puts new
man in ONCE at the high tide OF a wave
OF dissatisfaction and then forgets. AS
a result nine times out OF ten, he nnds
his unmatched representative needs re
placIng sooner or later. and there Is all
the excitement and delay TO endure
again
The day the American farmer realizes
this principle and realizes. additionally
that ne can vitalize any legislative pro-
gram BY unceasing demands upon MS
representatives, we will see the farmers
OF this country rescued from the neglect
visited upon them by the government
for many years
I urge upon you to keep In personal
touch With your representative or sena-
tor. relative to those measures favored
nv this organization
Failure TO secure results in legisla-
ton Is due almost as much to the failure
Of the constituent to indulge In proddins
as 20 the tendency OF the offceholder TO
snore on his job
tsisned) CHARLES S. BARRETT