Morris tribune., 1914-04-24

Two weeks ago there gathered in
the armory at Minneapolis notable
assemblage, representative OF the
righteous Indignation of people long
suffering in it's patience. That day
new page in political history was
inscribed. Baffed, hopeless, almost
helpless, the good citizens OF the
state, led by a courageous group Oh
patriotic men, arose and asserted
their right to peaceful, public asem-
blage. Gathering courage against mis-
representation, ridicule and Vlllhca-
ton. the representatives of 100000
taxpayers assembled for the purpose
of concentrating the strength Of the
mighty arm of the people into one
effective blow. How we'll they have
so far succeeded is shown by the mag
nanimity and patriotism of Mr.. Peter
son, Mr.. Iverson and Mr.. Elwel in
their gracious and enthusiastic ap-
proyal of the result of the conference.
NV profound and sincere gratitude
goes out to these gentlemen. A great
people whom they have thus served
through their sacrifice joins me in do
ing honor to these good citizens.
May I be pardoned if I at this time
assume to express also the honor and
gratitude which the people bestow
upOn those leaders who fought down
encouragement and changed despair
to hoDe-J. F. jacobson, Gunner B..
Bjornson, Edward T. Young and the
many other modest but determined
optimists.
l stated before that great confer
ence that | was at their dispOsal-to
serve in the ranks or to lead the fight.
They chose me as the instrument of
their will. In that capacity I come
to you tonight. Thus, I greet you.
The pleasure which I feel in meet
ing with you to commune together
is only equaled by the great burden
of responsibility which has been laid
upon me. The silver tongue of ora
tory I have not; of wisdom I possess
little; of faith, and hope and charity,
my heart abounds. am plain citi-
zen of the commonwealth whose de-
sire is that the commonwealth shall
become the common glory of her citi-
zenship. AS such address you.
Cooperative Farming.
Nearly thirty years ago 1 had the
good fortune to sit at the feet of one
of Steele county's honored citizens.
He told me of new movement; of
how the farmers were cooperating in
the manufacture Of butter, and of the
beginnings of diversified farming.
went home determined to study these
matters. At that time there weren't
enough COWS in Todd county to sup
ply one creamery. One was estab-
Ished, but failed. The farmers were
following the usual course-clearing
the land and planting grain. The
more grain they raised, the more i'm
poverished the land became. 1t was
the old routine of selling farms by
the bushel instead of by the acre
Finally the idea of diversity of crops
and cooperation in marketing began
to take hold Today our farms are
fertile, our farmers are prosperous
and community of interest has de-
veloped that means much for the
state. In 1913 the cooperative cream
cries alone in Todd county paid more
than $1,2O0,00O for butter fat.
Farming Basis of Prosperity.
Scientific farming is the basis Of the
prosperity Of the state. Every encour
agement should be given it, and the
people of the state should hold uI
the hands of Dean Woods and his as
sociates in the School of Agriculture
in spreading information that will
preserve and improve the productive
qualities of the land, increase the
quantity and quality of live stock
and make farming more attractive
and profitable.
AS a result of cooperation and di
versifed farming, we have not only {
great improvement in the farms ant
in the financial condition Of the farm
ers, but there is an improvement il
the homes, in the schools ant
churches, and in the public roads
and, what's better than all, the peo
pie are better citizens than they were
The time was when they were inter
ested in local questions only. They
are now interested in world questions
Chance No Longer Factor.
Formerly they planted their seei
and depended upon chance and raiI