Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-04-04
WATCH CONGRESS.
President Barrett Tells the Farmers to
Be on the Lookout.

President Barrett Tells the Farmers to
| Be on the Lookout.
| Union City, Ga, March 31.-Presi-
dent Charles S. Barrett of the Farm
ers Union, today issued this state
ment:
AT a moment when politics is in a
rarely formative condition, congress
meets in extra session.
Il am aware that at the present time
the plans of the leaders who will con-
troll the majority in the next house
are as yet uncertain. The platform
and the immemorial precedents OF
their party pledge them to tariff re-
form At the same time the past at
titude, and performances of the insur-
gent contingent in the Republican
party commit them in the same gen.
eral direction.
Meanwhile, the so-called stand
pat" Republicans are to be remember
ed They have seen the drift Of the
country, and with characteristic polit-
ical astuteness may be expected to
keep reasonably near the band wagon.
Back of these varied elements, each
of them striving to promote their little
individual cause, lies the presidential
election in 1912, and you can rest as
sured none Of them are losing sight of
this great event.
In fact, much of what is done in
the extra session and In the next reg
ular session will be largely directed
toward gaining good strategic posi-
tions for the presidential election.
IF you want tariff reform, now or
I'm the regular session, 1t Is up to you
to watch each individual member of
congress, especially the new member
who went to congress on a tidal wave
of promises. Not forgetting, either,
the senator's, since 1t is only a ques-
ton of time before we elect senators
directly by the people.
Il would not be surprised to see a
semblance of tariff reform enacted at
the approaching session, nor would
be surprised to see no tariff reform
enacted. We can tell more, and / can
more accurately advise members how
to bring pressure OH their individual
representatives, when congress meets
and we get a look at the line up.
You will be kept posted from time
to time.
I'm the meantime, remember that
unselfshness is not the predominating
not of politics, and that to get results
we must follow closely the records of
all lawmakers, not excepting those we
know are our friends. Remember that
they, too, are only human.
This is as good a moment as any
other to tell you what the average, not
the exceptional, politician thinks of
the farmers.
He regards the American farmer as
sleeping elephant with the politician
as his official keeper, who must exer-
else carefully the sacred function Of
his Office.
I'VE knows that on a few occasions
in the past the elephant has weaken
ed and written his impress on national
legislation.
He knows that may happen. again
any time!
But he also knows how to keep the
elephant quiet with a few furious
speeches about nothing, by playing on
his little "fuence' in the district a
little prejudices, by getting the man
with a job that will keep votes corral
ed. He also handshakes, asks after
the wife and children, sends govern
ment bulletins (for which there Is
scarce room at Washington and gar
den seed (Which occasionally will
sprout)
He seems to be raising dust for
the farmers. In reality, the average
member is bending every energy to get
re- elected.
He would as soon work for the far
mers as for himself, if the latter woke
up and made him do it. and let him
understand that he would not be paid
off in .jollies,' in handshakes, and in
hot air.
I'm other words it is game of po-
litical poker, and you have got to keep
calling!
Their stock in trade is in knowing
how susceptible the average voter Is
to these little counterfeit favors.
Demand work, and they will quick
ly give it!
There are many studious, hard
working members, who keep abreast OF
public questions, and really try to leg
islate for the general good. l give
them the credit. But they need to be
increased, by the farmer showing that
he will give his vote only in exchange
for service, not pretty words.
"All of this is said in the best of hu-
NOR, but the sooner you know how the
congressman regards you, the quicker
you'll get the results you are now
surprised at not getting from this
most pleasant and smiling gentleman"