Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 August 1912 — TARIFF HAS NOT – HELPED FARMERS [ARTICLE]

TARIFF HAS NOT - HELPED FARMERS

Senator Gardner Gives Reason for Supporting Wilson. NOW IS TIME FOR REWARD Too Long Have They Been Fooled by False Gods—Rallying to Democracy's Banners. The reasons why those engaged in agricultural pursuits should support Governor Woodrow Wilson for president are strongly set forth by Senator Obadiah Gardner of Maine in an address to farmers. .Senator Gardner is a practical farmer, one who farms his own farm, and he is probably in closer touch and sympathy with countiy life and its environments than any other man in public life. For twenty-five years Senator Gardner has been actively engaged in the National Grange and for ten years lie was the master of the State Grange of Maine. A few years ago he came within a close margin of being elected governor of the Pine Tree, State. A little less than a year ago, when Senator Frye, who had represented Maine in the senate for thirty years, died. Governor PlaiS*ed honored Mr. Gardner, and recognized the agricultural Interests of the country by appointing him to the United States senate, where he has made a most creditable record, devoting particular attention to the .welfare of the great rural population of the country. He is now a candidate for re-election and will undoubtedly be successful. In his address, Senator Gardner says: To the Termers of the United States. Greeting: Being one of you and for the greater or ray life having been engaged in tho practical every-day duties of my having been for 25 years past officially at \vork through boards of agriculture and the National and State Granges; having served four years as second officer *f the National Grange and as master of the Maine Sttate Grange ten years, during which time the order in Maine added 35,545 members and attained a r.uwer and influence never held before. I reel I am in a position to speak from the. standpoint of one who knows the farmer and his needs, and it is solely because of this that I am prompted to address you. F"r years farmers have justly complained of being required to pull at the sliort end of the yoke because of unfair and unjust discriminations in legislation and transportation, and at the present time the farmers are charged with being the cause of the high cost of living, when, as- a matter of fact, taken collectively—the amount Invested in, their business, the hours devoted to hard labor, and everything conneeted with the details of agricul.tu.ral life—they are. as a whole, the poorest paid class of people in this country. while relatively the. most important. Farmers Have Been Deceived. During all recent years farmers have been told what a great blessing has been theirs through the so-called protective tariff, and yet to find a market for their principal crops they have had to compete in the markets of the world where the price Is fixed. But suddenly it is discovered that the farmer is the sole cause for the high cost of living, and what happens? The president (Mr. Taft) with a total disregard for the interests of the farmers, submits a plap to open up to competition with the farmers of the United States the products of Canada while being careful to preserve! the tariff, op more correctly speaking, the tax, on all the farmer has to buy, which, as clearly as anything can, exposes the hypocrisy and "humbuggery" of the claim that the tariff is a benefit ,to agricultural as compared with manu#actured products. Now, the farmers of this country have an opportunity to benefit themselves that has never appeared within my recollection, as the Democratic partv has been compelled by the force of public opinion to nominate a man for (he presidency who is best equipped for thpt high office of any that have been nominated or elected since Lincoln. A man that I speak of from a personal acquaintance with and a knowledge of his fitness; a man of great natural ability, splendidly educated, not theoretically but practically, a keenness of intellect remarkable for its grasp of every condition with which he is confronted; an indomitable courage to do right; and above all a great broad tendency with and sympathy for all classes. He wifi make one of the most accessible presidents ever In the "White House, and through whom none will be refused a hearing, however humble, nor fail to receive justice at his hands. He is truly a marvelous man and X wish every person in the United States could know him as I know him, and supplementing all thesa qualities is the additional one that his home is one of perfect balance. None can meet the splendid Mrs, Wilson and her three refined, cultured daughters with their perfect naturalness, hut must foel that the whole family of Woodrow Wilson was especially prepared to fill a great need in the present crisis In the history of our country, as were .Washington, Jefferson, Jackson and Lincoln, and I would ajJVlse the farmers upon my reputation as a man, if you want to protect your own interests and those of yonr families; Jf you want to render the greatest possible good to your country and future generations; if you want to contribute your part to the end that popular government under God shall not perish from the earth, then spy that the Hon. Woodrow Wilson Is elected president. O. GARDNER.