Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-02-24

20 Grfn0" and VINO Had Them
schurz in the United States senate.
To the Editors OF the Union and American.
WASHINGTON; Feb. p, 1S72.-The Agri-
cultural Convention called by Commissioner
Watts for the purpose of uniting more
closely the Agricultural Department of the
Government with the agricultural colleges,
met on the 18th inst. in this city, and con-
4inued in session for three consecutive days.
DIR. Loring, a New England man, was
chosen permanent chairman, and during the
three days the convention was in session
large amount of business was transacted
and steps were taken TO make it perma-
neut organization.
A DISAPPOINTMENT.
There was, however, feeling of disap-
pointment among the delegates who repre-
scented agricultural societies. Those repre-
ssnting agricultural colleges we're largely in
excess and manifested q spirit of rapacity
scarcely to be expected from such an intel
ligent and learned body of men. They
started out 10 demand of Congress an ap-
preparation of one million of acres of the
public lands to each of the twentv-seven
agricultural colleges, but finally contented
themselves by adopting the resolutions Of
Mr.. Gregory, which were:
fully recommend to the Congress of the
United States the bestowal of an additional
liberal grant of land, or the proceeds there
Of, upon the colleges of Agriculture and the
Mechanic Arts which have been established
In the several States and Territories in aC-
cor6anee with the enactment Of July 2,
1862, and its amendments, and upon such
as may hereafter be established in States
and Territories where such institutions
have not yet been established.
'ResOlved, That committee of one be
appointed from each State or Territory here
represented, who, with the presiding officer
OF the convention, shall urge the foregoing
resolution upon the attention of Congress"
In accordance with these resolutions, one
gentleman from each State or Territory
represented was appointed a committee,
who met shortly afterwards and appointed
subcommittee 10 take the whole matter
in charge and do the very best they can for
the colleges, and be certain to get all that is
possible.
THE EDUCATION BILL.
These college men, by the way, are near
ly all opposed to the bill for public instruc-
ton now pending before the Senate, after
having been passed by considerable ma
jority in the House. 1t may be proper here
to say that the Objectionable features to the
bill have all been removed, so that each
State will have sole control of the fund APP
propriated to it, and nothing like centrali-
cation is now embodied in it. The fund,
as your readers are aware, will be distribu-
ted in proportion TO illiteraCy, and as Ten
nessee enjoys the painful distinction of be-
ing second in that regard in the United
States, her share of the proceeds
of the public lands will be
over one hundred thousand dollars an
nualy-a sum that would do much to
stimulate her people to the work of Organiz-
ing permanent system of public schools.
If you were to publish the bill as it now
stands you could not l think be opposed to
it. Representative Golladay took an eager
interest in its passage, and in the opinion Of
your correspondent it viii in the future, be
the brightest gem in the crown of hOnors
that he is daily weaving for himself. He is
vigilant and attentive, and but for the fact
that he represents a prescribed section,
would make mark deep and indelible in
the annals of his country.
WHAT THE COOLIDGE MEN WANT.
But to recur TO these College men. who
represent the few and not the many. They
well know that when this fund is appropri-
ated to public schools, the goose shat lays
the golden egg for them, will cease to eX-
ist. What matters it how the money given
them is squandered and wasted, if they
may be, supplied dd ibitlun from the ma
tional Golfers? Give it for public instruc-
ton, and their desires will be circumscribed
within moderate but just limits.
REPORTS OF CROPS.
Ex-Gov. Patton, of Alabama, presented
for the consideration of the Convention
the stupendous project of Commodore
Maury TO have reliable and accurate re-
ports of the crops made in every part of the
world, SO that farmers may know when to
sell and when to keep, and may be able to
reap the full benefit of their labOrs without
the Intervention of so many middle men.
The Governor spoke at length and with
great power upon this subject, showing the
Importance to the country and farmer. His
speech was frequently applsuded. The
resolutions petition the United States gov
eminent, through the State department and
the Executive to invite other nations to
meet and establish international cO-OpeTa-
ton in a general and systematic plan of
meteorological observations and crop reports.
The details of the plan proposed have been
published in the UNION AND AMERICAN.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted
and this acti IN, your correspondent consid-
erS by far the most valuable and the most
po ent for general good Of anything that
Was done by the Convention. The resOlu-
tions Of Mr.. Barnett, of Georgia, looking
substantially to the same thing were sup
p rted by an able report emhOdying the
ideas advanced by Commodore Maury in
his address in Memphis last fall. Among
other things he thought such an
IF &c al 70
the best interest of the country. Il
Is not Utopian nor imprscticable. The
great annual fact in the worlds history is
the crop season which God deals out to it
seed time and harvest. The present cOndi-
ton of the seasons and the crops, the
breadth of land soWn or planted, and the
general influences affecting it, are all facts
Obvious to the sense, capable of expression
and communication. When collected they
are c2pable of tabulation and diffusion.
Where is the difficulty? Why should we
not enter into this inviting field? Manhood
has accomplished a theme more difficult,
doubtless, during the present age. Is the
difficulty i'm observation? The statistics al
ready furnished by the department answer
that question. 1t may, by cooperating
with land societies, he able TO improve to
some extent the accuracy. of observations,
and the modes of averaging it. Is it
in experience? That too, has
been solved, by the use of per centage. Is
II in communication? Behold the tele-
graph, as rapid as thought itself The re-
sources of mankind are fully adequate TO
the problem The light shed on the pur-
suits of the aEricultUrist should accompany
him through all the periods Of his labor. 1t
should guide his pOlicyguide him in produc-
ton, and gujde him in sales. Such sys~
TEN, with the improvements suggested by
experience, would subserve all these pur-
poses. 1t would instruct him in the deci-
sion what TO plant. 1t would aid him in
al the details of cultivation. Nor would 1t
abandon him at this important period
leaving the gathered fruits of industry to be
the prey of those who did not aid in any Of
its processes.
ANY system which. enlarges the area of
certsinties, and diminishes that Of mere
conjecture, which gives information as to
the present and throws light on the prooa-