The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1911-04-05
ADVISES FARMERS
TO MATCH THEIR CoNGREssNlEN
AND THEIR SENATORS.
Says They Must Not Allow Them.
selves Fooled by Few Bulletins
and Garden Seed.

selves Fooled by a Few Bulletins
and Garden Seed.
Having failed to secure bill 20
prohibit cotton speculation, to get
parcels post, tariff legislation bene-
fetal to the farmer and other laws
through a Republican congress, Pres
ident Charles S. Barrett. of the Ma
tional Farmers Union, is going to
Washington at the opening OF the ex-
ira session to see if the farmer can
Z expect anything more at the hands
OF the Democrats.
The national legislative bureau OF
the union will be maintained
Throughout the session, and Presi"
dent Barrett will personally spend
as much time there as possible.
In a statement just sent out to the
Organization he is frankly skeptical
of results, unless the farmer wakes
up to his opportunity and forces ac-
tiun. He declares he would not be
surprised to 'see a semblance o.
tariff REFORM" or mo tariff :-eform
at ALL" He makes it rather plain
that he hasn't much more confidence
in the Democratic organization than
the Republican, unless pressure is
! brought to bear
In many ways Presidents Barrett's
--latest communication is his most in
Iteresting, because he speaks out
frankly and unafraid about things.
| Here is what he says:
To the Officers and Members OF
the Farmers Union:
At a moment when politics is in {
rarely formative condition, congress
meets in extra session.
I am aware that at the present
time the plans Of the leaders who
will control the majority in the next
house are as yet uncertain. The
platform and the immemorial prece-
dents of their party pledge them 20 a
tariff reform. At the same time the
past attitude and performances OF
the 'insurgent' contingent in the
Republican party commit them in the
same general direction.
| Meanwhile. the so-called "stand-
pat" Republicans are to be remem-
bered. They have seen the drift OF
the country and with characteristic
political 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 assured none Of them
are loosing sight of this great event.
J 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-
ton FOR the presidential election.
If you want tariff reform. now or
in the regular session, it is up to
you to watch each individual mem
Der OF congress, especially the new
member who went to congress on a
tidal wave of promise, not forgetting
either the senators, since it is only a
question of time before We elect SEN
ators directly by the people.
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 on their indi-
Ividual representatives. when con-
gress meets and We get look at the
lineup.
You will be kept posted from time
to time.
In the meantime, remember that
unselfshness is not the predominant
ing note OF politics. and that to get
results We must follow closely the
records of ali lawmakers, not eX-
cepti1g those we know are our
friends. Remember that they, too
are cnly human.
This is as good 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-witht the pol
itician as his official keeper, who
must exercise carefully the sacred
function OF his Office
He knows that may happen again
in the past the elephant has awak-
ened and writes his impress on ma
tional legislation.
/ He knows that my happen agail.
any time.
But he also knows how to keep the
elephant quiet with few furious
speeches about nothing, by PLAYING
on, mis- prejudices, by getting the man
with little "Auence" in the dis
trict'' a little Job that will keep votes
corralled. He also flandshakes. asks
after the wife and children, sends
government bulletins (for which