The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-07-16
POLITICAL
AC|TAT0RS
POLITICIANS WHO CAPITALIZE
STRIFE A MENACE TO
GOVERNMENT.
Neglect of Agricultural and Industrial
Opportunities a National Crime.
BY Peter Radford.

There never was a time in the his
tory of this nation when we needed
statesmen more or agitators less than
at the present moment. The oppor-
tunities now afforded us on land and
sea demand the best there is in state
craft and the possibilities that are con-
fronting us call for national issues
that unite the people, build industry
and expand trade. The agricultural
and industrial development of this
nation has suffered severely at the
hands of agitators who have sent
torpedoes crashing into the port side
of business and whose neglect Of the
interests Of the farmer makes them
little less than political criminals. We
want no more of these evil spirits to
predominant in government. Too long
their hystsrical cry has sent a SILVER
down the spinal column of industry.
Too long have the political agitators
capitalized strife, pillaged progress
and murdered opportunity An indus
trial corpse is not desirable thing,
a crippled business an achievement or
neglect an Accomplishment about
which any representative of the gov
eminent has a right to boast.
Issues that Breed Aetators Should be
Eliminated.
The political agitator must be elm
mated from public life before thought
full consideration can be given to a
constructive program in government.
The liquor question is the most pro-
life breeding ground for agitators and
whether pro or anti, the hatch is
equally as undesirable. This article
is in no sense a discussion of the Ii.
quor question but deals solely and by
way of illustration with the political
products of that issue. Other sub
jects will be dealt with in the order
of their Importance.
In the history of our government
the liquor issue has never produced
constructive statesman worth men
tioning and it never will. 1t has sent
more freaks to Congress, Lilliputians
to the Senate and incompetents to
office than any other political issue
under the sun.
The recent experience of the Eng
fish Parliament which dashed itself
into a fury over the liquor question
has a lesson that it is well for the
farmers of this nation to observe; for
the subject in some form or other is
constantly before the public for solu-
tfon and Outlines to the exclusion Of
more important problems to the Amer
lean plowmen.
Too Many Political Drunkards.
Lloyd-George, the Prohibition leader
of Europe who led the prohibition fight
in England, has declared that he will
never again take a drink politically
and there are many American politi-
cians-pro and anti-who would render.
their country service by climbing
on the water wagon or signing pledge
of political temperance. Too often
our legislative halls are turned into
political bar-rooms and many of the
members become intoxicated on liquor
discussions. We have too many polit-
ical drunkards-pro and anti-in our
public affairs. No one who is a slave
to the political liquor habit is quite
so capable of dealing with the BUSH
ness affairs of government as the
sober and Industrious. We have few
public men in this day who are strong
enough to resist the temptation Of
strong drink politically and when the
demon Rum once becomes firmly en-
trenched in the mind of politician,
he is less capable of meeting the de-
mands for constructive craftsmanship
now confronting this nation.
We have in this country too many
red-nosed politicians-both pro and
anti. A candidate with political deli
rum tremens, preacher with politi'
cal snakes in his boots and an agitator
drunk on the liquor question are the
saddest sights in civilization and they
should all be forced to take the polit-
ical Kelley Cure.
1t is far more important in govern
ment to make it easier for those who
toll to eat than to make it more diff
ficult for few topers to drink. There
is not one person in one hundred OF
our rural population that ever touches
liquor but we all eat three times a
dav