Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-01-26
FARMERS ARE URGED
To Be ON ALERT FOR
POLITICAL FAKIRS
President Barrett Says Farm
erS Should Learn Difference
Between TrickSterS and the
Genuine Statesmen - Gives
Out Statement

WASHINGTON, Ga. Jan 24.-Prem-
dent Charles S. Barrett, OF the National
Farmers union, in a statement issued
Tuesday, says the recall, initiative ami
referendum are not woth a whoop, un-
less the farmer learns to distinguish
between the political fakir and the gem
uine statesman. His statement fol-
lows:
To the Officers and Members OF the
Farmers Union:
The representatives OF the Farmers
union now in Washington looking aft
er legislation in which every American
farmer is interested, expect to secure
definite results this session. We win
probably get reforms for which we have
long / cen contending more quickly than
the most optimistic of us imagine. Ger
tainly, We will procure them all, just
as soon as the average congressman
learns me farmer is in earnest in de-
handing them. and that he will not be
put OF fby evasions, he glad hand, free
seed or little petty job or two for thu
brethren.
SMASH OLD SCHOOL
But we are not going 70 advance one
inch further 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 largo view, the sincere view.
1 want to impress these facts upon the
farmer at what is practically the outset
of what promises to be one of the most
exciting sessions of recent years.
I can illustrate what mean very
easily with two little stories. The
/ ic Il n
preached a well known congresslnau
from the south during the recent ses-
sion, and asked him If be were going a
support the bill calling for a geners4.
parcels post Quickly as lightning AZ
said: Barrett, I've got nice job for
a hnsman Of yours. told him
wasn't hunting jobs for my relatives.
and asked him again IL he were in IA
vor of a genral parcels post Certain
/ ly you know I'm with you feIlowsss hs
answered. But tell me yes or M
whether you favor a general PARCELS
post" demanded. II favor some form
of general parcels post he finally
replied. That was as far as / c0ulc
make him commit himself, and vet that
man has the entire confidence Of MS
district, thousands of his farmer con-
stituents believe he loses sleep devislns
ways TO advance their interest
Another story received xew days
ago q letter from an infIuentlal 81 = efs
4 4ttiifanKiae ne Tor the efforts we are I56t-
ting forth in behalf of certain measures.
Among them he also specified q general
parcels post. go ahead he wrote en-
Enthusiastically, we're backing you up.
The politicians are not going to fool
us any longer We've let them do thar
long enough. But 1 do wish you would
concentrate your energies on getttng
the recall We want to be able to turn
Ia a.
This brother proceeded 20 tell me thar
his especial representative was q simon
pure friend of the farmer, who couid
always be depended upon to help when
FEVER help was needed, and whose SINGER
| ity was interchangeable. tsa
! THAT SAME HIGHLY RECON-
MENDED CONGRESSMAN. THE
FARMERS FRIEND" THE PARA
CON OF SINCERITY, TOLD ME IN,
THE PRESENCE OF SEVERAL WIT
NESSES THAT HE COULD NOT SUP
PORT A GENERAL PARCELS POST
BILL. 1 ASKED HIM IF, HE WERE
NOT SATISFIED THAT AT LEAST
so PER CENT OF HIS CONSTITU-
ENTS WANT SUCH A MEASURE HE
FAvoRs THE RECALL
am in favor of the recall. am In
favor of the initiative and referendum.
I have voted for them. as long as I 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 viii the recall
do such farmers as those have men
toned, the constituents of these two
precious patriots? If they can pull the
wool over the eyes Of the farmer IN the
absence of the recall, they can do II
| just as easily when the recall is opera
tive in every congressional district
/ Only the leaders OF the farmers who
try to get things done in Washington.
know the buncombe and gold bricks
handed out consistently to the man or
the acres by the politicians. There are
a few good, strong, upright, sincere men
/ in both branches. But the majority
proceed upon the theory that the best
way to continue to hold office is 70
trade, juggle, flatter and misIead rhe
man whose vote is the first necessity
for office-holding.
That is why 1 say that though I
/ heartily advocate the recall, initiative
and referendum, as aids TO direct gov
eminent by the people, that none or
them are worth a whoop unless the
farmer learns to distinguish the fpolitl-
cal fakir from the statesman. We
can't put off our responsibilities as in
! telligent thinkers and voters upon any
convenient legislative device. The Amer
/ lean people thought they had founded
genuine democracy when they decreed
/ they wouldn't have a king, or a hereds
itary nobility. They are still in volun-
tary bondage to the taking politician.
The farmer is an especial offender. I'm
til he learns to separate the political
sheep from the goats, the recall, initia-
/ tive, referendum, direct election OF SEN
ators or anything else will only partly
! emancipate fim-for, according TO pres
ent indications the politicians can WORK
| their little bluff game as easily with as
without these handicaps.