The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-01-28
LEGISLATION WANTED
BY FARMERS OF STATE.
1he Initiative, Referendum and Recall-Co1rup Prac
tees Act-State Legalized Primary For All Parties
Just and Equitable System of Taxation
Six Months School I Term and Compulsory
Attendance-Torrens System

tresident H. Q. Alexander Of the
North Carolina Farmers Union, who
appeared before the joint committee
OF the Senate and House considering
the matter OF constitutional amend
ments. has the following address to
the current issue OF the Carolina
Union Farmers
Dear Brethren:-Our state Senate
is largely dominated by corporation
lawyers. They guard carefully the in
'erests of the corporations that en-
can serve two masters. They cannot
serve the corporations and at the same
time truly represent the interests Of
the people.
The corporations seldom demand
positive legislation: they simply want
TO be let alone. Their friends in our
legislative bodies serve them by quiet
ly ignoring the demands of the people
for progressive measures. All repre-
sentatiyes note carefully the trend of
publici sentiment. The corporations
are never Indifferent to their interests
but in the past the masses of the peo-
.ple have given very little thought to
the work Of our legislatures. Hence
we find that North Carolina has no
really progressive laws in behalf OF
the people, or to relieve them from
the DISCRIMINATION and oppression OF
big business.
The present General Assembly is
not different from those Of the past
No progressive bill will become a law
unless demanded in no uncertain
tones by the masses Of the people
There are progressive members in
both houses who will take the initia'
tive and lead the fight, but their sue
cess will depend upon the support Civ
en- them by the men who cast the bal
lots.
Now, then, the pertinent question is
'Haye you written to your represent
ative and senatOr?" And again: "Ar'
you going to write every week unit
your demands are heeded?" Thi
means you" not your neighbor.
half the members Of the Farmers
Union will do this the people of Nortl
Carolina will be liberated from tn
rule of the corporate interests and tn
domination Of the political BOSS. Th
people will rule.
The TOrrens System Of Registering
Land Titles.
This is a really progressive measur
that will benefit everybody and hur
40 class except tho lawyer who make
it a business to investigate land titles
Many Of the best lawyers of the Stat
advocate the measure. .
The bill will probably pass tn
House and Senate, but Is likely 10 o
loaded down with heavy fees and otn
"r features to make 1t unpopular, un
less the people rally to the support Q
the measure. The fees for regtster1n
under the Torrens Act should be
reasonable as possible. The applica
tion OF the law should be left option
nj with the property owner as to title
already existing; but should be mad
obligatory on all new titles or trans
tcrs after June I, 1915, or some def
mite future date.
Six Months Public School.
As strange as it may seem to thinE
u'g ,n"n. this measure will meet WIT
opposition. OF course the fight will o
made on the ground that the State
'ot abe to make the necessary increas
"a appropriations. All other inStltt
dois will be provided for: offices an
salaries may be Increased; the nc
VIII be permitted to escape with llgf
taxation while the school for tn
MASSES and the only means of an edl
cation within the reach Of 95 per eel
vi our children must drag along at tn
loot Of the ladder" with only or
round below us New MexicO)
compulsory School Attendance.
This measure was indOrsed by III
'ast Farmers Union Convention wit
my 90" dissenting vote. Every ma