THE FAKMKll AND TIIP: POLITICIAN. 115 



audiences are susceptible to this play upon emotions, but it is 

 a fact tliat must be reckoned with that among all classes of 

 politicians it is considered that farmers above all others can 

 most certainly be led captive by the use of bold, unblushing 

 humbug. I am not guessing at these things. I have myself 

 helped to make i)arty })latfonns, and have appreciated the grim 

 humor of astute politicians as they suggested phrases which we 

 all knew to be meaningless, but well adapted to catch the rural 

 vote. I have heard good political orators arouse an audience 

 to enthusiasm, and afterwards discussed with the speakers the 

 tricks which they employed. I know that shrewd politicians 

 have a very low estimate of the intelligence of the farmer, 

 and that those are in most demand by i>arty managers who 

 have most skill in pUiying upon rural prejudice and passion. 



Now all this has its effect on the farmer's pocket, and it 

 is only from this standpoint that I wisli to consider it. The 

 farmer is at every election called upon to vote upon the 

 adoption of policies which will alfect his material welfare, and 

 for the election of men by the exercise of whose judgment his 

 income and taxation will be affected. If he will impartially 

 examine facts before voting, his common sense may in the 

 main be relied on to lead him right. There is no important 

 public question which does not involve an economic question, 

 and it is certain that nearly all who really understand how the 

 result will affect tlieir pockets, will vote as the}^ think their 

 interests dictate. I think this right, because if all vote in- 

 telligently as their pecuniary interests require, the greatest 

 good of the greatest number will result, whicli is the aim of 

 all good government. But if people vote after considering 

 but one side of a question, or if the ha])it of voting with a 

 party leads them to knowingly vote for unworthy men, they 

 must take the consequences. 



The most important offices to the farmer are those nearest 

 to him. It is of vastly more importance to him to secure a 

 good road-master than a good governor. In voting for a 

 member of the Legislature, it is of far more consequence that 

 he elect one who will be effective and influential in state 

 affairs than one who is sure to vote for the senator of his party; 



