The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-09
Gets Resolution Of Endorse
ment Passed in Spite Of Rule
Against Politics
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In the last few years splendid work
has been done in organizing farmers
unions in most counties in Virginia,
ana much good has been accomplished
In cooperative buying and In effect
ing better sales facilities for farm
r-oducts The GOOD work. however,
is in danger OF running on the rocks
by getting into politics as the Farm :
ers alliance did years ago. which
hourished and grew like green bay
tree as long as IL struck 10 its prin-
ciples and worked for the good OF the
farmer but when scheming ONCE
seekers undertook TO use the organ
iyatioa for selfish motives The good
ship foundered on the rocks and went
TO pieces
The Y -inia farmers organiza ton
are bordering on the same danger, In
allowing themselves to be used in the
present guberna.oriai fight In behalf
OF one candidate Wise heads may be
able to turn the Farmers union into u
poiitica! organization and steer 1t
sAfe,y through the storm, but such has
not been the case in the past and his
tory often repeats Itself
II 10 known that resolution. endors-
ing Westmoreiand Davis for governor
have been passed. IN violation OF the
rules Of the union that no politics shall
be discussed AZ meetings under pen
atty OF expulsion. II more proof were
needed a. to the sinister work being
done, which will disrupt the farmerS
organizations and undo all the good
work that has been done. the evidence
II contained In TIE following two com
municafions. which sneak for them
selves and rrovc conciusi~ely that the
executive officers OF the union are at
tempting to deliver the farmers vote
bodily to Mr.. Davis as against Mr..
Pollard and Mr. Eliyson. both Of
whom have many friends in the or
sanitation who will rebel at such ac-
ton.
Blankeuship Letter
Naruna, Va, July is, 1918,
Mr.. Geo. A. Lambert Chairman,
Rural Retreat. Va:
Dear Brother am in receipt
OF a letter from President Thorn
hill. enclosing copy OF letter from
Mr. Hathaway. In reference to
giving a years subscription 10
''The Southern Planter to each
member OF our union. He re-
quests that I. as member Of the
board Of dir\.ors write YOU my
opinion Of the proposition.
am unalterehly opposed to
accepting the offer for the fol-
lowing reasons:
I. Tho Southern Planter does
not practice the principles Of
unionism. being iteelf non
union shop
q. The present owner Of the
Southern Planter. as understand
II. 10 a candidate for governor of
Virginia, ana I see In this moth
ing more nor less than one more
insidioua and subtle step in
wsTl-deAned plan TO divert or per
vert the rarmerT union into a
semi political organisation in the
interest Of one candidate for
governor az against the other
two.
Surely the officers Of the union
win not take the position that
they will furnish to one candidate
chances to own. q mailing list OF
our entire membership. and deny
II to others. On the other hand.
can't conceive Of the board Of
directors. without the authority
Of cur state constitution or con-
vention, giving out 4 mailing list
Of our membership promtscuous-
~
Trusting that have made my
objections clear. ana with kindeSt
personal vegards. am,
Fraternally yours,
foiSreG) n. N. BLANKENSHIP.
TIE Hathaway Letter.
white Stone, Va, August ~. 1915
Hon. A. q. Thornhfll. President.
FARMERS Union. Lynchburg. Va.
Dear Mr.. Thcrnhfll:
Recoxnixing the fact that the
various agencies and organizations
o. the farmers Of the state are
doing 4 great work towards its
agricultural Development. ana be-
ing impressed with the idea that
II they could get more In touch
with each other. greater emciency
In this work could be developed
ana much more accomplished. that
one OF the best means by which to
reach this end would be hrst-
class farm journal to 20 into a.
many farm homes ~ possible
This would serve ~ medium
through which We can by discuss
sion OF our trouble get An ex-
change OF ideas and arrive 1t some