The Springfield herald. (Springfield, Baca County, Colo.) 1887-1919, 1912-02-23
LOOK FOR DEFINITE RESULTS
farmers Union Officials In Washing
ton Expect to Secure Reforms
Long Sought.

| eAA SAtoA'
The representatives OF the Farmers
union now in Washington looking aft
er legislation in which every Ameri-
can farmer Is interested. expect to Sc
cure definite results this session. We
will probably get reforms for which
we have long been contending more
quickly than the most optimistic OF us
imagine. Certainly, We will procure
them all, just as soon as the average
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.
But 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 ilb erited. or ac-
quired tricks. and pin cur faith to the
man who takes the arg, view, the sin
cere view. l want to impress these
facts upon the farmer at what Is
practically the outset of what prom
Uses to be one of the most exciting SEES
sions Of recent years.
can illustrate what l mean very
| SuohS Will lWO llllie blOTleS. ne
first is a personal experience. | ap-
preached well-known congressman
from the south during the recent ses-
| sion and asked him II he were going
| to support the bill calling for a gen
eral parcels post. Quickly as light
ming he said: Barrett, I've got nice
Job for a knsman of yours" l told
| him l wasn't hunting jobs for my rela-
tives. and asked him again II he were
in favor of a general parcels post.
Certainly, you know I'm with you fel
lows" he answered. But tell me yes
or mo- whether you favor q general
parcels post" / demanded. 81 favor
some form of a general parcels post"
he finally replied. That was as far as
l could make him commit himself.
and yet that man has the entire con-
fdence OF his district. thousands OF
his farmer constituents believe he
loses sleep devising ways to advance
their interest.
Another story: received few
days ago letter from an influential
farmer, thanking me for the efforts
We are putting forth in behalf OF GER
tain measures. Among them he also
specified a general parcels post. go
ahead" he wrote enthusiastically.
We're backing you up. The politi-
clans are not going to fool us any
longer. We've let them do that long
enough. But do wish you would con-
centrate 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 a
simon-pure friend OF the farmer. who
could always be depended upon to
help whenever help was needed, and
whose sincerity was interchangeable
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 a general parcels
post bill. l asked him II he were not
satisfied that at least eighty per cent.
Of his constituents want such meas
ure. He said he was.
am In favor of the recall. am in
favor Of the initiative and referendum.
have voted for them as long as | had
the chance, and l 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 will the re-
call do such farmers as those | have
| mentioned, 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 1t just as easily when
the recall is operative in every con-
gressional 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
of the acres by the politicians. There
| are few good strong, upright, sin
cere men in both branches. But the
majority proceed upon the theory that
| the best way to continue to hold ONCE
is to trade. juggle, fiatter and mislead
the man whose vote is the first neces-
sity for office.holding.
That is why say that though |
! heartily advocate the recall, initia-
tive and referendum. as aids to direct
government by the peoplet. that none
of them are worth whoop unless
the farmer learns to distinguish the
| political fakir from the statesman.
We can't pu, OF our responsibilities
as intelligent thinkers and voters
upon any convenient legislative de-
vice. The American people thought
they had founded genuine Democracy
when they decreed they wouldn't have
a king. or hereditary nobility. They
are still in voluntary bondage to the
taking politician. The farmer Is an
especial offender. Until he learns to
separate the political sheep from the
goats. the recall. initiative. referen-
DUN. direct election of senator's. or
anything else will only partly enamel
pate hin-for. according to present
Indications the politicians can work
their little blum game as easily with
as without these handicaps.
Washington, D C.