Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-06-09
AGRICULTURE AND LABOR.
Meeting OF the Maryland Agricultural and
Labor Convention.

Meeting OF the Maryland Agricultural and
Labor Convention.
The Agricultural aud Labor Convention
met in Baltimore on Thursday, morning, the
LIST inst, at IL o'clock, in Raine's Hall, in
pursuance Of the call of the President.
The Convention was called to order by
Governor Odcn Bowie, who addressed the
members as follows;
1t gives me great pleasure to bid yon well
come to the second meeting of the Conven-
ton for the promotion of agriculture and la
Dor in the State of Maryland. l have no
doubt but that the subject has been fully can
vassed in every county of Maryland since We
met here. last, on the 18th of December, 1870.
That steps are required to do something prac-
teal at once hone OF you will deny, and
hope that your deliberation will promote the
good objects all of US have in view. To at
tract capital, to encourage agriculture, and to
increase emigration are the main points ag-
tated, and trust that you will inaugurate to-
day movement which will relieve our State
from her embarrassments and place her in
line with the most progressive and successful
in the Union.
The Secretary, Mr.. Fl. Tilliard Smith, then
read the proceedings of the last meeting, after
which the delegates were called by counties
and districts, and the following answered -
Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore city, CAL
vert, Dorchester, Frederick, Hartford, Kent,
Prince Georges, Queen Anne's and Talbot.
Col. Raine read letters from the Agricultu-
raj Societies of Calvert county and st. Mary
county, and number of letters from promi-
nent gentlemen 10 other counties interested in
the movement.
On motion Of Col. Raine the Convention
took recess until IL o'clock, as there SEEM
ed to be some misunderstanding about the
hour of meeting.
The Convention reassembled at IL o'clock.
Gov. Bowie IN the chair.
Col. Raine read the report Of the committee
appointed at the last meeting, in December,
summary Of which is given:
The committee had decided to recall the
Convention for consultation aud further &C
ton. All impressions of awakening the peo-
pie to their situation as tillers Of the soil, to
be promotive of good, must spring from the
landowners and workers themselves.
The great interests of agriculture and labor
are languishing; the committee proposes that
this Convention should take active means to
secure both. Agriculture is the basis of State
prosperity and independence, and it has been
matter Of minor concern, receiving little Of
the attention of legislation and the political
economist. The agricultural periodicals in
the State are not properly sustained. Party
politics and local or personal schemes of adj
vancement have too much engrossed the at
tention Of men who ought to lead, and the
humble claims of agriculture, although it is
the foundation of the great superstructure OF
society, have failed to attract even ordinary
attention. The farmers seem generally indif-
ferent or spiritless, either because they are not
to be aroused to their true interests or because
they are fearful that improper motives may
be ascribed
The agriculture of the State employs taoo-
thirds Of the people, and yet, since the inf1at-
ed prices of the war, how many are found
with adequate means for the support and ed
ucation of their chlldren? Many are so i'm
poverished by mortgages as to render profita-
BILE culture impossible. Lands, rich and pro-
ductive, salubrious in every respect and a.
bundant in facilities Of access to market, are
growing wild for want of culture, Ways and
restoration. Capital and labor must be en-
gagged. Legislation must be so used as to
make men feel that we are resolutely deter
mined to provide for ourselves and realize
that "as goes agriculture SO goes the State"
The Legislature grants bounties for differ
ent purposes, passes special acts for fisheries
and oystermen, protects in every way the in
terests of commerce, manufactures and cor
porations, but gives no encouragement to
agriculture, the cradle and nursery of freemen.
Agriculture, which furnishes the raw material
and buys the fabrics, is left to protect itself
The State has capacity for more than five
times its population. and every step to the
advancement of the agricultural interests
would not only add to individual but to State
wealth.
The committee are unanimously 10 favor of
the encouragement of European settlers. For
this purpose they recommend organization in
such counties as require them, and the CO.
operation of such societies with the one now
established 10 tke city of Baltimore, the whole
to be under the control Of an Executive Com
mittee selected by the representative counties.
To discuss the question of emigration is
not now before this Convention, to ask legis-
lative appropriation is not the recommends
ton of this committee, but to consult and adj
wise such measures as will tend to the relief
of all parties in the State oppressed by the
depreciation Of land and want of labor for its
proper culture We suggest that committees
be appointed and that they report to this
body at an adjourned meeting this evening or
tomorrow upon the following questions:
First. What steps should be taken to secure
reliable labor. and a more profitable culture
of our lands?
Second. What are the best means to Sc
cure the influence of capital?
Thirdly. What should be done to secure
the efficiency in the organization and manage
ment of these united efforts?
The committee now place the matter in
your hands, and hope that such steps will be
taken as will give us gradually the relief the
State of Maryland is SO much in need Of
REMARKS OF MR.. EARLE.
Hon. j. T. Earle, of Queen Anne's county,
approved heartily of the report Of the con-
mittee as far as it goes, but thought it did not
60 far enough. He made long speech, in
which he advocated an appropriation OF
$230,O00 by the Legislature to pay the pas
sage Of emigrants to this country, the State to
be reimbursed within two years out of the
wages of the emigrants after they have reach
ed the State. He also said the great difficulty
in getting prominent and influential citizens
to act was that they had not the nerve to
come out boldly and ask for an appropriation
for particular object, because they were can
didates for some Office in the gift of the peo-