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National Plowing Matches, Waseca, MN, September 18, 1965
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National Plowing Matches, Waseca, MN, September 18, 1965
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The original documents are located in Box D18, folder "National Plowing Matches,
Waseca, MN, September 18, 1965" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and
Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
READING TEXT
I vergin Island
An Address by
Texas Ingrom
I
Representative Gerald R. Ford
KISS
National Plowing Matches
Waseca, Minn.
Sept. 18, 1965
The main event today is the National Plowing contest. I am most
pleased to have been invited to share the excitement with you.
I understand President Johnson and Vice President Humphrey were
unable to accept invitations to be here today. As you can probably
understand, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Humphrey rarely--if ever--discuss
their personal traveling plans with Republicans. I have no idea
why they cannot be here today. But I'm pleased to be have
with Amotor Mondal f Green Rohnay.
Perhaps the President is busy in the White House. With a 2 to 1
majority in Congress he's had things pretty much his own way.
In fact, I'm told he writes his diary six weeks in advance.
The Vice President may be using the weekend contemplating his
action in the Senate this week.
-more-
3 LIBRARY GERALD
Digitized from Box D18 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Plowing (Ford)
&
Matches
Answering Senator Mansfield's plea--Hubert, won't you please
come home" the widely-traveled Vice President voted to break
a 45 to 45 deadlock on a farm bill allowing Secretary of Labor
Wirtz to retain control of fram labor. Secretary of Agriculture
Freeman was the loser. The way things have been going, it's hard
to say who really won.
INintend to keep my remarks as brief as possible today, unlike the
political figure who was asked how long it would take for him to
prepare a 10-minute speech. His answer was--"two weeks."
Asked how long he needed to prepare an hour speech, he answered "one week."
How long for a two-hour speech? With a grin he answered, "I'm ready
right now!"
Well, I'm ready...but not for such a marathon.
I will follow the advice of the late President Calivia Calving Coolidge,
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
A political friend told him: "Cal, my formula for public speaking is a
good beginning and a good ending as close together as possible."
Mr. Coolidge thought a moment and said, "Why be so windy?"
(more)
Ford Plowing Matches
-3-
With hopes of not being windy, I will discuss a 13-letter word that
packs a tremendous impact on all 50 states.
It is a word that has caused turmoil and uncerainity across the land.
It is a word reaching to the very roots of sovereignty, to the people
themselves.
The word has helped my good friend Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen
to suddenly emerge as somewhat of an American institution. A Washington
reporter described him as reaching the rank in the Nation's affections
somewhere between Jimmy Durante and Casey Stengel.
The 13-letter word is directly linked with what Abraham Lincoln
once said "the best rule, after all, is to let the people do
pretty well as they please with their own business."
I speak of this word APPORTIONMENT apportionment,
the traditional formula by which the people are given representation
in the state legislatures.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
-more-
Ford Plowing Contest
-4-
Together, let us recall some history dealing with apportionment.
A majority of the United States Supreme Court handed down a series
of decisions relating to the apportionment of six state legislatures
to establish a legal precedent.
The high court held that the Constitution requires that seats in
both houses of a bicameral state legislature must be apportioned on
a population basis.
By this action, the Court ruled out all other factors and took
away from the people of the states the right to determine how best
to set up their own legislatures.
Late last year an attempt failed in the U.S. Senate to stay the
court's action on apportionment.
Recently, Senator Dirksen struggled to win approval of a profoundly
significant resolution. It was intended to preserve an important
principle of American government.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
-more-
Ford Plowing Matches
-5-
wishedy their artis non
The amendment would permit the people of a state, if they
to apportion one house of their legislature on other factors than
population alone. This could affect the "one-man,one-vote" edict of
the Supreme Court. And most importantly, it called for any apportionment
plan to be approved by a majority vote of all the people of the state.
Furthermore, at the time of that vote, the people could elect an
alternative apportionment plan based on the "one-man, one-vote"
principle.
A majority ignored the amendment which Senator Dirksen stressed was
founded surely and squarely upon the oldest princples of representative
government on which a republic is based. The Senate defeated it by a
slim 7-vote margin.
Now the matter of apportionment is in the House Committee on the
Judiciary. The proposed amendment is similar to the one authored
and championed by Senator Dirksen. The amendment should be adopted
for several reasons.
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
-more-
Ford Plowing Matches
-6-
In considering the apportionment amendment, I believe we should recall
what the venerable Benjamin Franklin said the day action was take
completed on the United States Constitution.
Mr. Franklin was asked "what have we got a monarchy or a republic?"
He answered, "A republic if you can keep it."
The House of Representatives faces the great challenge made by
Franklin-----"if you can keep it."
I want a republic. It must not be washed away with political waves or
altered by overwhelming political power. It must remain. It must not
be impaired.
Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the immortal Declaration of Independence,
was a champion for a true republic. He said that governments derived
their just powers from the consent of the governed we, the people.
And, Lincoln prayed that government of the people and for the people
and by the people shall not perish from the earth.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
-more-
Ford Plowing matches
-7-
There are those who scoff at this wisdom of the ages. They may
say this is square ld-fashioned out of style out of step
with the times.
It has been said that Senator Dirksen and our party have painted
themselves into a corner because of the stand on apportionment.
Senator Dirksen most eloquently and aptly answered these charges
saying, "In one corner is Jefferson, and in the same corner is
Lincoln; and I am happy to stand in that corner with my party, and
go back to the people."
What you people in Minnesota do with apportionment should be your
own business. If you want a constitution to authorize that both Houses
be apportioned on population, that should be up to you. If you
want one House membership to be based on other factors, that also
should be your choice
so long as the decisions are made by a vote
of all the people.
BERALO FORD BRARD
-more-
Ford Plowing matches
-8-
Every state should have the right to determine whether one branch of
its legislature shall be apportioned not only according to population,
but also on a basis of geography, political boundaries, and a
concentration of population.
The role of the Supreme Court in the apportionment controversy
needs to be re-examined.
When the Court ordered states to reapportion on the "one-man, one-vote"
concept, Justice Frankfurter in a dissenting opinion was critical
of the Court assuming "destructively novel judicial power."
Justice Frankfurter said further: "In this situation, as in others of
like nature, appeal for relief does not belong here. Appeal must be made
to an informed, civically militant electorate. In a democratic society
like ours, relief must come from an aroused public conscience that
sears the conscience of the people's representatives."
He further emphasized that the Supreme Court's authority "possessed
neither of the purse nor the sword, ultimately rests on sustained
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
public confidence in its moral sanction."
(more)
Ford Plowing matches
-9-
Now let us briefly examine the history of apportionment going back
to the Colonies and the Union in our Nation. Yes, even before that
to England.
A study of legislative chronicles shows that never in the history of
England, nor in the struggling young American colonies, nor in the
establishment of our Union was there an insistence that the so-called
"one-man, one-vote" principle be arbitrarily ordered. The people
had the choice.
I cannot emphasize too strongly that I am NOT debating the merits
of any form of apportionment.
Instead, I urge only that the people in each state decide.
As the law now stands, the people's choice of chosing what they
see as a method to determine fair representation is arbitrarily
denied to the states.
-more-
FORD & LIBRARY
Ford Plowing matches
-10-
The issue is not which kind of apportionment plan is best for
every state. It is simply whether the federal plan of apportionment
shall remain available to any state where the people wish to use it.
I hope that Congress in the near future will return to the states
the right of self-government which was stripped away by the
Supreme Court.
By returning this right, Congress will decide, as Mr. Lincoln
said, that "the best rule, after all, is to let the people do pretty
well as they please with their own business."
Being here in the pleasant farmlands of Minnesota reminds me that
the cost of living- including the food raised here--has reached an
alltime record. I'm told the price index is so high that Bobby
Kennedy wants to climb it as he did a mountain.
I emphasize that it is NOT you, or other American farmers, causing
the rise in cost of living. The culprit is the federal government's food +
Party prices are dram become what you buy to produce our
fibre is up
monetary policy which is rapidly boosting inflation.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
-more-
Ford Plowing matches
-11-
In conclusion, I will touch briefly on a subject very close to you---
farming.
I will not take your time, however, to discuss federal farm legislation,
except to say I see it as a patchwork of mistakes the federal
government has made in the past.
I am looking toward the day when we can take a clear new look at
farm policy and write laws that will truly help farmers. We must
that we find Today where
somehow correct that situation in which a farmer's cost of working
the land is up far greater than his income.
Successful farming depends on each of you being permitted to make
your own management decisions.
I recognize that in this era of growing business strength and strong
organized labor the farmer is not fully developing bargaining power.
I don't have the answers, but I recognize the necessity to accomplish this.
-more-
BERALD R. FORD <1 BRAP
Ford Plowing matches
-12-
You have to make your own decisions as you see various segments
of agriculture striving for ways to have their voices heard in
pricing products.
I see this goal of developing bargaining power as a major one
for the cooperatives, Farm Bureau, Farmer's Union, range, and
the National Farmers Organization.
It's my pleasure to be with you in Minnesota today, especially
here at the National Plowing Matches. Thank you for inviting me
to share this experience with you.
# # #
FORD : LIBRARY GERALD
Qui-supplied background on apportionment in Minnesota
Both houses are apportioned on the basis of population.. an act
of 1913.
People have refused to reapportion until 1962. Then 1950 census used
instead of 1960 national head count so deal down the drain.
Last session of legislature this year, a repportionment bill taking
area factors into consideration was vetoed by the governor.
GOP thinks the legidlation is right.... Dems think otherwise.
Rural people favor using area as a factor.
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
TODAY
IN
THE CENTRAL STATES®
PLOWS, POLITICS AND ROYALTY WILL MIX
past president of the American Poultry
at the National Plowing matches to be
and Hatchery Federation. He says, "If
held at Waseca, Minn. on the Harlan and
we say grocery concerns can't produce
Robert Powell farm September 17 and 18.
eggs, should feed manufacturers be per-
It's just a month ahead of the World
mitted to do it? If feed makers can't,
Plowing Matches to be held in Norway,
should egg producers be barred from
so the Minnesotans have invited Nor-
making their own feed?"
way's King Olaf V. Also scheduled—
equal platform time for top spokesmen
BETTER GRAIN PRICES THROUGH VOLUME
of the Farm Bureau, the Farmers Union
SALES-that's the aim of a new program
and National Farmers Organization.
announced by the National Farmers Or-
ganization. Members are being encour-
READ THE LABEL! Weed specialist
aged to hold corn, soybeans, grain
"Dutch" Sylwester, Iowa State Univer-
sorghum and some varieties of wheat in
sity, tells about the midwest farmer
on-farm or elevator storage until the
who didn't—and ended up spraying 40
NFO arranges big quantity sales during
acres of corn with sheep dip. "He
one of four marketing periods in the
didn't kill many weeds," says Sylwes-
coming 12 months. Members will sign
ter, "but he probably had the unlousi-
voluntary sales agreements when they
est corn in the area!" That reminds us
put grain in position for movement.
of the editor who sprayed his tomatoes
with 2,4-D instead of DDT. They just
CATTLE FEEDER, NOT A SPECULATOR.
crawled right back into the ground, or,
Dwight Smoker, Laporte County, Ind.,
ah, so we're told.
observes, "Lots of folks I've talked to
aren't buying cattle. Well, we're buy-
TREAT HUBBY RIGHT AT BREAKFAST. If
ing and we'll have cattle to sell."
there's trouble at the table, a farmer
Smoker, a veteran feeder, assumes
may be more accident-prone that day,
there'll be good times and bad, and
says Harold E. Stover, Kansas State
keeps his lot going. Over the years,
University. Anything that disturbs a
it has averaged out in his favor.
man's concentration on the work at hand
should be avoided, he says. So ladies,
WEED GROWING CHAMPS. The Minnesota
no arguments, please-and don't burn
State Weed Commissioner, Sig Bjerken,
the toast!
says, "We can grow more kinds of weeds,
and grow them better, than any other
CHAMPION CATTLE SHOWMAN RETIRES.
state in the nation." Minnesota has
George Edwards, long-time herdsman at
great differences in soil and climate
Iowa State University, has retired,
from one end of the state to the other
with a real string of triumphs to re-
-which helps account for this dubious
flect on. He showed grand champion
honor. But, anyone want to dispute
steers at the International Livestock
this claim?
Exposition in Chicago in 1925, 1931,
1951 and 1961. "I could win champion-
ANOTHER CALL FOR BIG CO-OPS. Homer
ships today with all but one of those
Young, president of Consumers Coopera-
steers," Edwards says. That one, the
tive Association, Kansas City, Mo.,
first, weighed 1,520 lbs.
declares, "Cooperatives must be bigger
and stronger or they won't be able to
WHO SHOULD PRODUCE EGGS? The answer
compete with the large, integrated
isn't as simple as it seems, according
national corporations that are rapidly
to Charles J. Meler, Nashville, Ill.,
moving into the farm supply business."
12
C
REGIONAL EDITORS: Dick Seim, Dick Hagen, John Russell, Dean Wolf
IRS FINDS A WAY TO TAX INSURANCE DISCOUNTS.
Until this month you had another tax-free way to earn interest:
Pay insurance premiums in advance to earn the discount of
about 4%. Your deposit accumulated interest and grew to the
full premium amount by actual due date. Now, on all premiums
due after July 31, 1965, any interest you earn this way is taxa-
ble. Your insurance firm must tell both you and Internal Reve-
nue how much you're earning this way-and IRS will then
cross-check your return.
NEW "WIFE INSURANCE" ADMITS SHE'S WORTH A LOT.
Several insurance firms have started offering (tincome" plans
that pay for household help if illness or accident disables your
wife, even though she's not earning a regular income. Former-
ly, most companies wrote income policies only for job-holding
wives. Several of the new plans pay $50 to $100 a month wheth-
er she's confined at home or at the hospital. Premiums range
from about $25 to $50 a year.
IF YOU ARE 65 OR OVER, here's how to get the new
medicare benefits which start July 1, 1966: If you're drawing
Social Security checks now, you will get your information kit
and enrollment form in the mail next month. If you are over 65
and have never applied for Social Security benefits-or if you
don't have a Social Security number-you may apply for medi-
care at your local Social Security office after Sept. 1 this year.
You can get free basic hospital insurance; or, if you wish, extra
medical coverage for $3 a month premium.
BANK COMPUTER NOW GIVES YOU HOME ACCOUNTS, TOO.
Want a computer-printed, monthly report of your personal in-
come and spending-without ever adding a figure? The Nevada
National Bank, Nevada, Iowa, does it for customers. Your
personalized summary lists up to 10 sources of income, 20 kinds
of tax-deductible expenses and 21 kinds of non-deductible ex-
penses. You simply write a three-digit code on each check and
deposit slip. For example, you earmark checks for utilities with
131, for doctor bills 177, for food 123. The bank's computer
sorts the checks by these codes, gives you monthly and year-to-
date totals in each category.
FARMERS FROM EVERY STATE HAVE ORDERED SHARES
from the new Farm Bureau Mutual Fund. The fund buys a wide
range of stocks and passes earnings back to shareholding mem-
bers. It's a "no-load" fund-you pay no sales commission. If in-
terested, write Farm Bureau Mutual Fund Inc., Scudder Fund
Distributors Inc., Lock Box 174, Chicago, Illinois 60690.
TWO SURE WAYS TO ACCOUNT FOR CASH EXPENSES.
(1) "We have the ask-for-a-ticket habit when we buy with cash,
even if it's a quart of oil or a sack of nails," says Mrs. Arleen
FARM BUSINES S
Herring, Missouri. The system's almost husband-proof: "Tick-
ets that we forget to lay on the desk show up on washday as I
check pockets." (2) Write a $50 check on your farm account,
put this cash in a "kitty" box, says Charles DeRycke, Illinois.
"Suppose one of the boys buys $3 worth of bolts with his pocket
money. He can get it back from the kitty-if he puts that sales
receipt in the box. You refill and balance the box when you go
over farm records each month."
LIKE AN EXTRA $25? Send US your Farm Business ideas-we'd like to share
them with other farmers. We acknowledge all letters, and pay $25 for each idea
printed. Write: Farm Business, P.O. Box 1676, Philadelphia, Pa. 19T05.
SEPTEMBER, 1965
11
OPINION
Toward a real solution
We'll likely get some kind of farm bill from this
for-the hungry programs-perhaps bigger ones than
Congress-not even city legislators want to have noth-
we have if soundly conceived.
ing-but it will probably be a mish-mash to carry us
One thing farmers do not need is more interna-
along "temporarily," as we have been doing "tem-
tional commodity agreements to divide up world mar-
porarily" since World War II.
kets. (Right now our government is toying with the
Meanwhile FARM JOURNAL submits a 10-point basic
idea of international agreements on beef and dairy
program toward which to work, however long it takes.
products.) Such agreements are supposed to main-
We can at least head toward it.
tain "order" in world markets. Insofar as they suc-
1. Group bargaining power for farmers, both in
ceed they do it by stifling competition and allotting
buying and selling, to let farmers solve more of their
shares to those in cahoots. They are supposed to as-
own problems, depend on government less.
sure us "entry" to world markets. But the history of
2. More freedom for farmers to make their own
such agreements is that other countries observe them
decisions, run their own farms, and reap the fruit of
only so long as it is in their interest to do so, and
their own initiative.
forget them whenever it isn't. Still further, such in-
3. Retirement of a substantial quantity of crop land
ternational agreements could lead to indirect con-
in a conservation reserve, in whole farms wherever
trol of U.S. farming by other nations. If U.S. farmers
possible, with safeguards against idling too much in
don't want their own government running their busi-
any one region. Farmers should be paid fair rental,
ness, how much less do they want other countries call-
not for "doing nothing" but for doing something
ing the shots for them via international compacts!
-idling a plant in which they have time and money
5. Support prices at levels that will move farm
invested. They can't be expected to do it free.
products, not pile them up, while stabilizing markets
4. Expanded markets at home and abroad. Farm-
(their original function).
ers can do much of this themselves, as organized soy-
6. More research and education, even though we
bean and wheat farmers have shown. But they need
are producing some surpluses. This is one of the best
the help of government trade policies that serve
ways to reduce costs-farmers' chief problem.
farmers as well as industrialists. They need food-
7. New industries in rural America to offer good
jobs to those who want to, or have to, leave farming
part way or all the way.
The Rubber Stamp
8. Relief from charging agriculture for public ex-
pense benefitting others: donated food, Extension ac-
tivities for city people, subsidies to the Merchant
Marine for carrying farm products abroad, money
OK
spent by USDA for consumer research, by the Forest
Service for public forest lands, by the Reclamation
OK
Service for public projects, etc., etc., and etc.
CONGRESS
9. Allies for farmers from the vast army of people
who do business with them and whose income de-
pends on how farmers do. They're part of "agricul-
ture," broadly conceived. Why shouldn't they help,
in legislative halls, in local communities or wherever?
10. An economy in which other people, in labor
ANYTHING
and business, are as exposed to the law of supply and
demand as farmers are.
WANTS
Certainly this list is not complete. You could add
to it. But given these 10 things-and then let alone-
OK
farmers will get along all right. So will consumers
and taxpayers. Isn't it about time that we quit just
renewing worn-out expedients, and began shaping up
a program that would gradually lead to a sound and
long-time solution of the "farm problem"? Our belief
is that most farmers would welcome it.
Fair play: We believe that all the advertisements in this magazine are trustworthy. To prove our faith by works, we will make good to actual subscribers any loss sustained
by trusting advertisers who prove to be deliberate swindlers. Just as we cannot guarantee a pig's tail to curl in any particular direction, so we shall not attempt to adjust dis-
putes between subscribers and honorable businessmen, nor pay the debts of honest bankrupts. This offer holds good one month after the transaction causing the complaint.
134
(Including pages B1, B2; 46A to 46L; C1 to C8; 54A to 54L)
CGHIJKLMNOP
FARM JOURNAL
PASSED BY THE NON-SENSOR®
gear. They can be used (with per-
forated tin tops) to make good salt and
pepper shakers."
From Allegan (Mich.) News-Gazette:
Marriage Licenses: "Lloyd O.
Schroetenboer, 21, Wyoming, and
Karen Ann Margot, 21, Fennville Rte.
1. Glenn E. Phelps, 21, Wyoming, and
Karen Ann Margot, 21, Fennville, Rte.
1."
Why do
From Little Rock Democrat:
more farmers
"A national authority on cosmetics
allergy, Kahn has done much of the
reach for water
original research in this field. He is as-
sociated with a washcloth or a piece
"It is NOT a burglar! You left your
with a Goulds
of Chicago."
electric toothbrush on!"
submersible?
Postponed-DETWITTER-"Don't this
Viet Nam business worry you?"
Because Goulds subs
McTweeT-"Not yet. I have so many
have a reputation
other worries that Viet Nam has to
for giving the/best
wait at least two weeks."
water service available.
One farmer tells
When making plans, my wife applies
another. Result: there are more
To me for counsel, clear and wise.
Goulds subs sold for 4-inch private
She listens, nods. Her doubts soon
water wells than any other brand.
ended,
You see, Goulds subs go in fast and
She does just what she'd first in-
easy. And they stay down there
tended.
in the well, pumping plenty of water
-Mike Mitchell
whenever it's needed, quietly and
efficiently. year after year after year.
Olden Times-FATHER-That hairdo
The power comes from a proven
Franklin water-lubricated submersible
of yours is the worst yet. Your hair
"Run me a tub of hot, soapy water,
pump motor. Never needs oil.
looks like a mop."
Mom-I'm stuck."
Won't overload and burn out.
DAUGHTER-"What's a mop?"
The pump parts are lightweight,
Rugged-SIMPSoN-"The sheriff of this
but made of the most durable materials
You Believe This?
county is really tough. He wears a sil-
known. And if he ever has to, your
ver badge on his chest."
Goulds dealer can replace any part
From Capper's Weekly:
JIMPSON-"What's tough about that?"
right there on the spot in a matter
"Chinese dentists have successfully
SIMPSON-"Without a shirt?"
of minutes.
transplanted nearly 100 teeth from one
The farmer who owns a Goulds
person to another."
Dividends-SHOPPER-I don't like this
pump knows. Ask him. Join your
arm chair; it slopes back too much."
many neighbors who are reaching for
From Topeka Capital:
SALESMAN-"You'd like it, madam:
water with Goulds submersibles.
"Plastic storm windows are an in-
think of the loose change that will
Send coupon to get a free booklet
expensive item to add to camping
spill out of men visitors' pockets."
that gives you helpful data
including rating tables.
GOULDS
PUMPS
GOULDS PUMPS, INC.,
Dept. FJ-95, Seneca Falls, N. Y.
Please send your Water Systems Guide.
Name
Address
City
County
"Internal Revenue man-he just peeked in, shook his head, and left."
State
Zip
SEPTEMBER, 1965
99
READING TEXT
An Address by
Representative Gerald R. Ford
National Flowing Matches
Waseca, Minn.
Sept. 18, 1965
The main event today is the National Flowing contest. I am most
pleased to have been invited to share the excitement with you.
I understand President Johnson and Vice President Humphrey were
unable to accept invitations to be here today. As you can probably
understand, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Humphrey rarely--if ever--discuss
their personal traveling plans with Republicans. no
I have idea
why they cannot be here today.
Perhaps the President is busy in the White House. With a 2 to 1
majority in Congress he's had things pretty much his own way.
In fact, I'm told he writes his diary six weeks in advance.
The Vice President may be using the weekend contemplating his
action in the Senate this week.
ASV: GERALD
-more-
Plowing (Ford)
&
Matches
Answering Senator Mansfield's plea--"Hubert, won't you please
come home"---the widely-traveled Vice President voted to break
a 45 to 45 deadlock on a farm bill allowing Secretary of Labor
Wirts to retain control of fram labor. Secretary of Agriculture
Freeman was the loser. The way things have been going, it's hard
to say who really won.
I intend to keep my remarks as brief as possible today, unlike the
political figure who was asked how long it would take for him to
prepare a 10-minute speech. His answer was--"two weeks."
Asked how long he needed to prepare an hour speech, he answered "one week."
How long for a two-hour speech? With a grin he answered, "I'm ready
right now!"
Well, I'm ready...but not for such a marathon.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
I will follow the advice of the late President Calivin Coolidge.
A political friend told him: "Cal, my formula for public speaking is a
good beginning and a good ending---as close together as possible."
Mr. Coolidge thought a moment and said, "Why be so windy?"
(more)
Plowing (Ford)
&
Matches
Answering Senator Mansfield's plea--"Hubert, won't you please
come home"---the widely-traveled Vice President voted to break
a 45 to 45 deadlock on a farm bill allowing Secretary of Labor
Wirts to retain control of fram labor. Secretary of Agriculture
Freeman was the loser. The way things have been going, it's hard
to say who really won.
I intend to keep my remarks as brief as possible today, unlike the
political figure who was asked how long it would take for him to
prepare a 10-minute speech. His answer was--"two weeks."
Asked how long he needed to prepare an hour speech, he answered "one week."
How long for a two-hour speech? With a grin he answered, "I'm ready
right now!"
Well, I'm ready...but not for such a marathon.
FORD is LIBRARY CERALD
I will follow the advice of the late President Calivin Coolidge.
A political friend told him: "Cal, my formula for public speaking is a
good beginning and a good ending---as close together as possible."
Mr. Coolidge thought a moment and said, "Why be 80 windy?"
(more)
Ford Plowing Matches
-3-
With hopes of not being windy, I will discuss a 13-letter word that
packs a tremendous impact on all 50 states.
It is a word that has caused turmoil and uncerainity access the land.
It is a word reaching to the very roots of sovereignty, to the people
themselves.
The word has helped my good friend Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen
to suddenly emerge as somewhat of an American institution. A Washington
reporter described him as reaching the rank in the Nation's affections
somewhere between Jimmy Durante and Casey Stengel.
The 13-letter word is directly linked with what Abraham Lincoln
once said--"the best rule, after all, is to let the people do
pretty well as they please with their own business."
I spesk of this word*** APPORTIONMENT apportionment,
the traditional formula by which the people are given representation
in the state legislatures.
LISTARY GERALD R
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Ford Plowing Contest
the
Together, let us recall some history dealing with apportionment.
A majority of the United States Supreme Court handed down a series
of decisions relating to the apportionment of six state legislatures
to establish a legal precedent.
The high court held that the Constitution requires that seats in
both houses of a bicameral state legislature must be apportioned on
a population basis.
By this action, the Court ruled out all other factors and took
away from the people of the states the right to determine how best
to set up their own legislatures.
Late last year an attempt failed in the U.S. Senate to stay the
court's action on apportionment.
Recently, Senator Dirksen struggled to win approval of a profoundly
significant resolution. It was intended to preserve an important
principle of American government.
GERALD R.FORD Maryer
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5-
The amendment would permit the people of a state, if they wished,
to apportion one house of their legislature on other factors than
population alone. This could affect the "one-man,one-vote" edict of
the Supreme Court. And most importantly, it called for any apportionment
plan to be approved by a majority vote of all the people of the state.
Furthermore, at the time of that vote, the people could elect an
alternative apportionment plan based on the "one-man, one-vote"
principle.
A majority ignored the amendment which Senator Dirksen stresed was
founded surely and squarely upon the eldest princples of representative
government on which a republic is based. The Senate defeated it by a
slim 7-vote margin.
Now the matter of apportionment is in the House Committee on the
Judiciary. The proposed amendment is similar to the one authored
and championed by Senator Dirksen. The amendment should be adopted
for several reasons.
FORD & LIBRARY GENALD
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In considering the apportionment amendment, I believe we should recall
what the venerable Benjamin Franklin said the day action was take
completed on the United States Constitution.
Mr. Franklin was asked "what have we got--- a monarchy or a republic?"
He answered, "A republic...if you can keep 1to"
The House of Representatives faces the great challenge made by
Franklin-----"if you can keep it."
I want a republic. It must not be washed away with political waves or
altered by overwhelming political power. It must remain. It must not
be impaired.
Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the immortal Declaration of Independence,
was a champion for a true republic. He said that governments derived
their just powers from the consent of the governed--we, the people.
And, Lincoln prayed that government of the people and for the people
and by the people shall not perish from the earth.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
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Ford Plowing matches
÷
There are those who scoff at this wisdom of the ages. They may
say this is squars**=old=fashioned=*eut of style=--out of step
with the times.
It has been said that Senator Dirksen and our party have painted
themselves into a corner because of the stand on apportionment.
Senator Dirksen most eloquently and aptly answered these charges
saying, "In one corner is Jefferson, and in the same corner is
Lincoln; and I am happy yo stand in that corner with my party, and
go back to the people."
What you people in Minnesota do with apportionment should be your
own business. If you want a constitution to authorise that both Houses
be apportioned on population, that should be up to you. If you
want one House membership to be based on other factors, that also
should be your choice....so long as the decisions are made by a vote
of all the people.
-more-
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
Ford Plowing matches
-8-
Every state should have the right to determine whether one branch of
its legislature shall be apportioned not only according to population,
but also on a basis of geography, political boundaries, and a
concentration of population.
The role of the Supreme Court in the apportionment controversy
needs to be re-examined.
When the Court ordered states to respportion on the "one-man, one-vote"
concept, Justice Frankfurter in a dissenting opinion was critical
of the Court assuming "destructively novel judicial power."
Justice Frankfurter said further: "In this situation, as in others of
like nature, appeal for relief does not belong here. Appeal must be made
to an informed, civically militant electorate. In a democratic society
like ours, relief must come from an aroused public conscience that
sears the conscience of the people's representatives."
He further emphasised that the Supreme Court's authority=="possessed
neither of the purse nor the sword, ultimately rests on sustained
FORD & LIBRARY 07/835
public confidence in its moral sanction."
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Ford Plowing matches
-9-
Now let us briefly examine the history of apportionment going back
to the Colonies and the Union in our Nation. Yes, even before that
to England.
A study of legislative chronicles shows that never in the history of
England, nor in the struggling young American colonies, nor in the
establishment of our Union was there an insistence that the so-called
"one-man, one-vote" principle be arbitrarily ordered. The people
had the choice.
I cannot emphasise too strongly that I am NOT debating the merits
of any form of apportionment.
Instead, I urge only that the people in each state decide.
As the law now stands, the people's choice of chosing what they
see as a method to determine fair representation is arbitrarily
denied to the states.
--more-
FORD & LIBRARY OFRALD
Ford Plowing matches
-10-
The issue is not which kind of apportionment plan is best for
every state. It is simply whether the federal plan of apportionment
shall remain available to any state where the people wish to use it.
I hope that Congress in the near future will return to the states
the right of self-govermment which was stripped away by the
Supreme Court.
By returning this right, Congress will decide, as Mr. Lincoln
said, that "the best rule, after all, is to let the people do pretty
well as they please with their own business."
Being here in the pleasant farmlands of Minnesota reminds me that
the cost of living--including the food rafised here--has reached an
alltime record. I'm told the price index is so high that Bobby
Kennedy wants to climb 1t as he did a mountain.
I emphasise that it is NOT you, or other American farmers, causing
the rise in cost of living. The culprit is the federal government's
monetary policy which is rppidly boosting inflation.
FORD & LIBRARY DERALD
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In conclusion, I will touch briefly on a subject very close to you---
farming.
I will not take your me,however, to discuss federal farm legislation,
except to say I see it as a patchwork of mistakes the federal
government has made in the past.
I am looking toward the day when we can take a clear new look at
farm policy and write laws that will truly help farmers. We must
somehow correct that situation in which a farmer's cost of working
the land is up far greater than his income.
Successful farming depends on each of you being permitted to make
your own management decisions.
I recognise that in this era of growing business strength and strong
organised labor the farmer is not fully developing bargaining power.
I don't have the answers, but I recognise the necessity to accomplish this.
-more-
BRARY
1
Ford Plowing matches
-12-
You have to make your own decisions as you see various segments
of agriculture striving for ways to have their voices heard in
pricing products.
I see this goal of developing bargaining power as a major one
for the cooperatives, Farm Bureau, Fermer's Union, grange, and
the National Farmers Organisation.
It's my pleasure to be with you in Minnesota today, especially
here at the National Plowing Matches. Thank you for inviting me
to share this experience with you.
# #
FORD i LIBRARY 07VY39
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
Excerpts from a speech at
For Release
National Plowing Matches
PMs Sept. 18, 1965
Waseca, Minnesota
The 13-letter word "apportionment" has caused turmoil and uncertainity all
across the land. It is a word reaching to the very roots of sovereignty, to the
people themselves. It is directly linked with what Abraham Lincoln once said,
"the best rule, after all, is to let the people do pretty well as they please
with their own business."
A Constitutional amendment was defeated in the Senate that would have
permitted the people of a state, if they wished, to apportion one house of their
legislature on other factors than population alone. This could affect the "one-man,
one-vote" edict of the Supreme Court. Most importantly, the amendment called for
any apportionment plan to be approved by a majority of all the people of a state.
The matter of apportionment is in the House Committee on the Judiciary. The
proposed amendment is similar to the one championed by Senator Everett Dirksen
of Illinois. It seems to me the amendment should be approved.
What the people of Minnesota do with apportionment should be their own
business.
The role of the Supreme Court in the apportionment controversy needs to be
re-examined. When the Court ordered states to reapportion on the "one-man, one-vote"
concept, Justice Frankfurter in a dissenting opinion was critical of the Court
assuming "destructively novel judicial power.
Justice Frankfurter said further: "In this situation, as in others of like
nature, appeal for relief does not belong here! Appeal must be made to an
informed, civically militant electorate. In a democratic society like ours,
relief must come from an aroused public conscience that sears the conscience of
the people's representatives."
The issue is not which kind of apportionment plan is best for every state.
It is whether the federal plan of apportionment shall remain available to any
state where the people wish to use it.
I hope that Congress will return to the states the right of self-government
which was stripped away by the Supreme Court.
GERALD FORD LIBRAR,
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
Excerpts from a speech at
For Release
National Plowing Matches
PMs Sept. 18, 1965
Waseca, Minnesota
The 13-letter word "apportionment" has caused turmoil and uncertainity all
across the land. It is a word reaching to the very roots of sovereignty, to the
people themselves. It is directly linked with what Abraham Lincoln once said,
"the best rule, after all, is to let the people do pretty well as they please
with their own business."
A Constitutional amendment was defeated in the Senate that would have
permitted the people of a state, if they wished, to apportion one house of their
legislature on other factors than popula on alone. This could affect the "one-man,
one-vote" edict of the Supreme Court. Most importantly, the amendment called for
any apportionment plan to be approved by a majority of all the people of a state.
The matter of apportionment is in the House Committee on the Judiciary. The
proposed amendment is similar to the one championed by Senator Everett Dirksen
of Illinois. It seems to me the amendment should be approved,
What the people of Minnesota do with/apportionment should be their own
business.
The role of the Supreme Court in the apportionment controversy needs to be
re-examined. When the Court ordered states to reapportion on the "one-man,one-vote"
concept, Justice Frankfurter in a dissenting opinion was critical of the Court
assuming "destructively novel judicial power.
Justice Frankfurter said further: "In this situation, as in others of like
nature, appeal for relief does not belong here. Appeal must be made to an
informed, civically militant electorate. In a democratic society like ours,
relief must come from an aroused public conscience that sears the conscience of
the people's representatives."
The issue is not which kind of apportionment plan is best for every state.
It is whether the federal plan of apportionment shall remain available to any
state where the people wish to use it.
I hope that Congress will return to the states the right of self-government
which was stripped away by the Supreme Court.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY