The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-01-28

who has studied the school problem
is fully convinced that compulsory at
tendance law Is absolutely essential
ual TO secure the educat ton of all the
children. Ignorance is the greatest
burden that rests on our State today.
Ih1S curse will never be fully removed
without compulsory school attend
ance law
amendment to the Farm Life School
Law.
The Farm Life School should be put
within the reach OF all the counties.
This can be done by adopting a modi-
fled form of the GuilfOrd county law.
A just and Equitable System of Taxa
ton.
Taxes. necessary obligation,
should be imposed upon all men in
proportion to their ability 20 pay.
Taxes should not and would not be a
burden to any clasSif the above prin-
ciple was always observed.
It is known to all we'll informed
men that the rich escape the burden
OF taxation, while the common peope
| must pay to the last farthing. The
will be no just and equitable reforms
for the relief of the people if the
| friends Of the corporate interests can
|
| Is all-powerful and will be effective if
our demands are made in no uncertain
| tones.
A State Legalized Primary Law for
All Parties.
This law has been indOrsed by the
Hast two Farmers Union Conventions
1t is absolutely essential to the free
dom of the people. In no other way
| can the people control their govern
ment. Under the present system the
money interests and political bosses
determine a sufficient number Of the
nominations to office to enable them
to control our government. A primary
law for all parties and for all officers
from president down to constable will
restore the government to the people
land give tne poor man an equal chance
with the rich.
A Corrupt Practices Act.
This measure was indorsed by the
last Farmers Union Convention. 1
means stringent law rigidly en-
forced against all manner Of corrup
ton and bribery in Office and elections
It's purpose is to positively prevent thu
use Of money. patronage. or anything
else Of financial value to carry elec
tions. Under present conditions thu
candidate with the heaviest purse ka
much the advantage, and poor mai
can hardly afford to seek an Office. II
is handicapped.
The Initiative, Referendum and Recall
These measures have been indOrse'
by two Farmers Union Conventions
The initiative and referendum are.
. part Of the Farmers Union Constitu
, ton. Our membership would REBEL
our convention should adopt and at
, tempt to enforce a new law or regula
2 ton without first submitting it to tn
people on referendum vote. The peo
: pie should have the legal right t
T either initiate legislation or to fequlr
3 an act Of the Legislature to be sub
8 mitted on referendum. if a certain pc
: cent Of the voting population deman
= it. The exercise of the recall Woul
9 make our Lawmakers careful to Wor
e for the interests Of the people rathe
: than the special interests.
All Of the above measures will b
before the General Assembly. Severe
: bills have already been introduced
h They are all in the interest of tn
e masses Of the people and will eventl
= ally become the law of the State. In
: people must be free to govern then
: selves, and they can do it only throus
these progressive measures.
h Individually you may not inoors
t all Of these Measures. You Will VINE
e-i YOU come to understand them full
: unless you have some special intere
t that you think should take precedenf
. over the common good. II you bel:e'
e ia the greatest good to The create
number, then you should rally TO tf
support of every one OF these pTosfe
g sive measures.
J, F'raternaily,
), RI. .. ALEXAt;pfiH.