Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-10-12
SHOULD FARMERS ENTER POLITICS?
Symposium on Subject Shows
Weight OF Opinion to Be
Against q Farmers Party

used their influence In making nomina-
tons. and. while they quite generally
get out and vote on election day, they
have to vote for such candidates az
are on the tickets which they have not
helped to make.
There are many towns where the
caucuses are attended by the most ig
norant. irresponsible voters of the COM
munity. who are nontaxpayers and
who have no interest whatever In good
government. yet who are under the
control Of few often equally irrespon-
sibe men who control their votes for
a few dollars and few drinks In sa-
looms. 1t is through this element that
nominations at caucuses are made.
while farmers generally remain at
home on election day and either vote
the ticket or kick against 1t.
Notwithstanding these facts political
conditions are improving. As rule. a
better class Of men are now sent to
! legislatures: higher standard OF poll
tics is demanded and is being adopted
There is less of partisan influence and
more Of considera ton for the general
good The tariff Ia no longer a politi-
cal issue Democrats and Republicans
divide upon II according to the special
interests that are influential In their
districts. Agriculture is more and more
being recognized as the mainstay and
the backbone of any permanent pros
perity in our country. and congress
and a number of states have made
very liberal appropriations for the sup
port of agriculture and agricultural ed
ucation. and more might profltably be
done In that direction.
We need more conservatism In legis-
! lation. and when farmers used to be
selected more frequently as represent
atives in rural districts they were n
conservative force and balance. espe-
cially In holding in check efforts for
corrupt legislation from cities.
There is one difficulty confronting a
farmers party in the great growth of
cities If population continues to in
crease in cities the balance of power
will in the future be in them and not
In the country.
Farmers will then be dependent upon
cities for such legislation as they may
need The decline of rural population
Is the weakness of farmers party
! that would rise to a position of power
and influence. Farmers may. how
ever. exert a powerful influence or
: legislation by getting together before
caucuses and considering certain meas
ures which would benefit their inter
ests. which are equally the interests O
the general public both Of the countr,
and of those living in cities. The!
could then go to caucuses, make thei
demands known and felt, ana the!
would be able. so far as the countr,
representatives are concerned. to Sc
cure right representation. This ma.
be done better through existing part.
organizations than to attemp, to or
ganize new party
One very important change In votin
) uualifica tons should be demanded UT
u til obtained that 40 man should b
allowed to vote who cannot read IN
!! state and the United States constitr
tons. and the same should he apple
~ to women when they shall become vo
re ers. as they will. There are thousand
a. of women who are taxpayers and VIII
e. have the inherent right as such to vot'
. Their intelligence and influence con
10 bined with the intelligent men Of an
m community will secure the best repr
ut sentatives any party may put up. TIL
~ has been so abundantly proved In sue
n western states as have made wome
ne voters that no party now dares
&c put up a man for Office whose pal
Mt record has not been a good one.
Sc The fact that farmers are beginnir
st to think more of their obligation tn II
lie best interests of their class ia one
he the most hopeful signs Of the time
1g Yet farmers cannot be charged wit
being in favor of class legislation. +
he their interests are the interests OF q
ay classes. When farmers are prospero'
ed all are prosperous. More Of discussi'
mt and education in politics Is necessal
en- among farmers. and. while the gram
nv cannot go into politics as an organic
TO- ton. It can and does do much good
We discussion and through education.
he GEORGE T. POWELL
ta- President Agricultural Experts Ass
citation.
H. To Represent the Common People.