The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-03-23
LETTER FROM PRES. BARRETT
Representatives Of Farmers Union
Expect to Secure Legislation at
Washington This Session.

GxPecr to Secure Legislation at
Washington This Session.
! 70 the OfHeers and Members of the
Farmers Union.
Inc representatives of the Farmers
union now In Washington looking aft
ef legislation in which every Ameri
can farmer Is interested, expect to Sc
cure definite results this session. We
VIII probably get reforms for which
we have long been contending more
quickly than the most optimistic of
us imagine. Certainly, we will pro.
cure them all, just as soon as the av.
efage congressman learns the farmer
| IS IN earnest in demanding them, and
that he will not be put off by evasions,
the glad hand, free seed or little
petty job or two for the brethren.
We are not going to advance one
inch farther along the road until we
learn to smash out of existence the old
school, hypocritical politician, with his
little bag of inherited, or acquired
tricks, and pin our faith to the man
who takes the large view, the sincere
view. l want to impress these facts
upon the farmer at what is practical
~ the outset Of what promises to be
one OF the most exciting sessions of
4 recent years.
can illustrate what / mean very
easily with two little stories. The
hrst Is a personal experience. I ap-
preached well-known congressman
! from the south during the recent ses-
sion, and asked him il he were going
to support the bill calling for general
parcels post. Quickly as lightning he
said: Barrett, I've got nice job for
kinsman of yours" l told him
wasn't hunting jobs for my relatives,
and asked him again il he were in
| favor of general parcels post. Ger
talnly, you know I'm with you
fellows, he answered. But tell me
yes Or no whether you favor a gen.
eral parcels post | demanded. Il ia.
vor some form Of a general parcels
post he finally replied That was as
far as ! could make him commit him
self, and yet that man has the entire
confidence of his district, thousands of
his farmer constituents believe he
loses sleep devising ways to advance
their interest
Another story: I received a few
days ago letter from an influential
farmer, thanking me for the efforts we
are putting forth in behalf of certain
measures. Among them he also speci-
lied general parcels post. eco ahead"
he wrote enthusiastically, we're
backing you up. The politicians are
not going. to fool us any longer. We've
let them do that long enough. But
do wish you would concentrate your
energies on getting the recall. We
want to be able to turn the rascals out
when they deceive u.s. This brother
proceeded to tell me that his especial
representative was simon pure friend
of the farmer, who could always be de-
pended upon to help whenever help
was needed, and whose sincerity was
unchallengeable
That same highly recommended con-
gresham, the farmers friend the
paragon Of sincerity, told me in the
presence of several witnesses that he
could not support general parcels
post bill. asked him il he were not
satisfied that at least 80 per cent, of
his constituents want such a measure
He said he was.
l am in favor of the recall. I am in
favor Of the initiative and referendum.
have voted for them as long as ]
had the chance, and I will continue to
vote for them until we enact them
into law, and that will be at an earlier
date than the average man hopes.
But what earthly good win the re-
cali do such farmers as those I have
mentioned, the constituents of these
sWo precious patriots? If they can pull
he wool over the eyes of the farmers
n the absence of the recall, they can
10 it just as easily when the recall is
operative in every congressional dis
riot.
Only the leaders of the farmers who |
.ry to get things done in Washing
on know the buncombe and gold
bricks handed out consistently to the
nan of the acres by the politicians.
There are few good, strong, upright,
sincere men in both branches. But the
majority proceed upon the theory that
he best way to continue to hold office
s to trade, juggle, fatter and mislead
he man whose vote is the first neces-
;ity for office holding.
That is why I say that though
heartily advocate the recall, initiative
Ind referendum, as aids to direct gov.
,rnment by the people, that none of
hem are worth a whoop unless the
armer learns to distinguish the po-
itical fakir from the statesman. We
ant put off our responsibilities as in
elligent thinkers and voters upon any
convenient legislative device. The
american people thought they had
ounded genuine democracy when they
ecided they wouldn't have king, or