Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-07-28
ENTER POLITICS?
Symposium on Subject Shows
Weight of Opinion to Be
Against a 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 as
are on the tickets which they have not
helped to make.
There are many towns where the
caucuses are attended by the most igt
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-
sible men who control their votes for
a few dollars and a 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 a rule, a
better class Of men are now sent to
legislatures; higher standard of poll
AANc 40 uCLialuttl anu ID bCllk dutpNtu-
There Is less of partisan influence and
more Of consideration for the general
good. The tariff is no longer politi-
cal issue. Democrats and Republicans
divide upon 1t 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 proftably 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
conservative force and balance, espe-
cially in holding in check efforts for
corrupt legislation from cities.
There Is one difficulty confronting q
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 a farmers party
that would rise to a position Of power
and influence. Farmers may. how
ever, exert a powerful influence on
legislation by getting together before
caucuses and considering certain meas
ures which would benefit their inter
ests, which are equally the interests of
the general public both of the country
and Of those living in cities. They
could then go to caucuses, make their
demands known and felt, and they
would be able. so far as the country
representatives are concerned, to Sc
cure right representation. This may
be done better through existing party
organizations than to attempt to or
ganiZe a new party.
One very important change In voting
qualifications should be demanded un-
til obtained-that no man should be
allowed to vote who cannot read the
state and the United States constitu-
tons. and the same should be applied
to women when they shall become vot-
ers, as they will There are thousands
of women who are taxpayers and who
have the inherent right as such to vote.
Their intelligence and influence COM
bined with the intelligent men Of any
community will secure the best repre-
sentadves any party may put up. This
has been so abundantly proved in such
western states as have made women
voters that no party now dares to
put up a man for office whose past
record has not been good one.
The fact that farmers are beginning
to think more Of their obligation to the
best interests of their class Is one OF
the most hopeful signs Of the times.
Yet farmers cannot be charged with
being In favor Of class legislation, for
| their interests are the interests Of all
classes. When farmers are prosperous
all are prosperous More Of discussion
and education in politics Is necessary
among farmers, and, while the grange
cannot go into politics as an organiza.
ton. 1t can and does do much good by
discussion and through education.
GEORGE T. POWELL.
President Agricultural Experts Asso.
citation.