The Springfield herald. (Springfield, Baca County, Colo.) 1887-1919, 1912-03-08
LETTER FROM PRES. BARRETT
Representatives Of Farmers Union
Expect to Secure Legislation at
Washington This Session.

Farmers Union:
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 bsen contending more
quickly than the most optimistic of
US imagine. Certainly, we will pro-
cure them all. Just as soon as the av-
erage congressman learns the farmer
Is in earnest in demanding them. and
that he will not be put of by evasions.
the glad hand. free seed or little
petty job or two for the brethren.
We arc 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. want to impress these facts
upon the farmer at what is practical
ly the outset Of what promises to be
one Of the most exciting sessions of
recent years.
can illustrate what I mean very
easily with two little stories. The
first is 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 general
parcels post Quickly as lightning he
said: Barrett. I've got a nice job for
kinsman Of yours" l told him
wasn't hunting jobs for my relatives.
and asked him again II he were in
favor of general parcels post. Ger
fellows" he answered. But tell me
yes. or mo- whether you favor a gen
eral parcels post" l demanded. II 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: received few
days ago n letter from an influential
farmer. thanking me for the efforts we
are putting forth In behalf of certain
measures. Among them he also speci-
fed general parcels post go ahead"
he wrote enthusiastically, we're
backing you up. The politicians are
not goina to fool us any longer. We've
let them do that long enough. But l
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 a simon-pure friend
OF the farmer. who could always be de-
pended 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 general parcels
post bill. I asked him II 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. 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 l have
mentioned. the constituents Of these
two precious patriots? II they can pull
the wool over the eyes of the farmers
In the absence Of the recall they can
do 1t Just as easily when the recall is
operative In every congressional dis
trict-
Only the leaders of the farmers who
try to get things done in Washing
ton know the buncombe and gold
bricks handed out consistently to the
man 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
the best way to continue to hold office
Is to trade. juggle, flatter and mislead
the man whose vote is the first neces-
sity for office holding.
That Is why l say that though
heartily advocate the recall. initiative
and referendum, as aids to direct gov
eminent by the people. that none of
them are worth a whoop unless the
farmer learns to distinguish the DO
litical fakir from the statesman. We
can't put of our responsibilities as In
telligent thinkers and voters upon any
convenient legislative device. The
American people thought they had
founded genuine democracy when they
decided they wouldn't have king, or
a 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, referendum, direct
election Of senators. or anything else
will only partly emancipate him-for,
according to present indications, the
politicians can work their little bluff
game as easily with as without these
handicaps.
cAARlES RARaE-