The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1911-08-10

nave YET 10 Oeclue whether " Setu0
the land owership problem by CO
operation or by government assist
ance. This is the most important Ques-
tion before the country today. 1t IL
a question that directly affects crop |
production. The farmer, as the one |
most directly concerned, must be fore
most in the solution. Yet he is by no |
means the only one affected. The
prosperity of the whole nation is d.
rectly concerned. for the nations food
supply is hanging in the balance.
If the high prices impress upon the
country the fact that national pros
perity depends as much upon the pros
perity of the farmer as upon that OF
the manufacturer, the farmers exist
ence will be justified. The day of
government of the people, by the farm
ers. for the cities, is at an end. The
farmer must be considered in legisla-
ton. He will force consideration Of
his interests. He is already demand
ing his rights.
There need be no fear of the farmer
domination of government In this coun.
try. Our territory is too large and our
interests too varied. At the same time
all indications point to the fact that
business domination must end. 1t
business cannot thrive without special
favors from legislatures it would bet
ter be left to exc out sickly exist
ence. The truth is it can thrive on the
same treatment that is meted out to
the rest of the citizens of the United
States.
Fair legislation will not hurt busi-
ness 1t may hurt some Of the over
fattened parasites who hide behind
the shelter Of business and raise the
cry of panic every time reform Is
proposed If it does, so much the bet
ter. The world can do without them
very we'll The city harbors too many
people whose right to live is not based
upon anything they have ever done tor
| society 1t Is to the country statesman,
with views unbiased by the intoxica.
ton of luxurious living, that we must
look for the initiation of this great re-
form. His innate sense of justice viii
not be satisfied with the shadow OF re
form His natural conservatism vii
prevent radical steps that defeat tht
purpose of reform. Under his guild
ance the details of popular govern
ment will be worked out to success
full conclusion. Government by spe
cial interests must end. Real repre-
sentative government will take 1T
place The short ballot, the direct pr1
mary and the initiative and referen
DUN are all steps to that end. Any
thing that will make machine rul
more difficult and popular rule NOR
simple is for the general good.
Most of the problems Of popular gov
ernment are still to be worked out
No one can forsee the exact tren
which popular government will taxi
There are several influences at wOrl
however, which show in measure tn
tendency of the times. 1t is not likel
that the government Of the Unite
States will develop paternalisl
: which some other countries call goV
ernment by the people. There Is to
much individualism about the Anne
ican people for that. While the Cam
dian farmers have been actively can
: paigning for government ownership
elevators. the farmers of the Unite
States have solved the grain tru
= problem through cooperation. Whi
= the agitation for the postal saving
:. bank has been sweeping over the cou
try. the farmer has never actively d
:, manded that the government go IN
the banking business. He Is not aver
to the idea Of q safe depository whe
. the laborers of the cities can depos
:, their savings. He admits that post
- savings banks may be convenien
!. in some communities and may be t
means of bringing boarded money IN
q circulation. For the most part. ho
+ ever. he is satisfied with his cooper