118 THE farmer's relationships. 



Bonfires, halls, brass bands, uniforms, torch lights, and all the 

 paraphernalia which are used to awaken enthusiasm, cost 

 mone}'. Who pays it? Whoever it is, he expects his reward. 

 It may be a suitable reward which is proper to be given. It 

 may be the reverse. In any case the farmer and the public are 

 entitled to know the facts. Such expenses are legitimate and 

 necessary when not on an extravagant scale, and it is creditable 

 to any one who is able to do so to contribute to the success of 

 his })arty. It is entirely proper, therefore, that the names of 

 those who contribute shall be made public. If they are not, 

 and there is any unwillingness to disclose them upon request, 

 tlie farmer may surely know that it is for some reason which 

 will not bear tlie light, and concerns the control of men and 

 measures in private interests. It is money spent to humbug 

 the farmer into voting for he knows not what. The money 

 whose contributors are unwilling to be known should never 

 be spent in political campaigns. The key-note of a campaign 

 for political party should be a demand for the publication of 

 the names of contributors to party treasuries. Whenever an 

 election of a Legislature is pending wliich is to elect a United 

 States senator, it is not unusual for a candidate for that office 

 to pay the election expenses of all candidates which can be got 

 to accept such aid. It is seldom that these candidates can 

 themselves afford the expenses. Who does really meet them? 

 It can seldom be proven, but it is a matter that farmers should 

 take note of, although it is a matter in which tliey can not 

 protect themselves by giving their vote to the other party, for 

 all parties are alike, but they can sometimes do the right thing 

 by voting for the party which seems to be poor. Poverty is 

 the most honorable condition for a political party. 



There is another class of offices, including most appointive 

 offices, and all those about county seats and state capitals 

 which afford a means of living for a term of years. If any one 

 is foolish enough to desire them it is proper to seek them, and 

 to be at reasonable expense to obtain them. In this case the 

 public can usually see who pays the expense, and understand 

 why he pays it. The man pays the money to get tlie office 

 because he wants it. If the voter likes him, let him vote for 



