The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-11-29
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON coNsTITU-

The committee to whom was referred the
| following resolution, viz:
That the President appoint commit
tee TO consider and suggest some plan look
| ing to the permanent and efficient organiza-
ton of the agricultural interests of Virginia
and North Carolina, said committee to re-
| port to this Convention in November next, "
have, according to order, had the subject
matter thereof under consideration, and
have prepared constitution to accompany
this report. Your committee recommend
its adoption.
BY reference to the proposed constitu-
ton, it will be perceived that it is dissmi-
lar to most organizations of similar char
acter on the same subject.
1t differs from al. ordinary agricultural
society, in which the members form vol
untary association by paying a specific sum
of money, which makes them annual or
life members. Such societies, besides dis
cussing the usual subjects naturally per-
tanning to them, generally aim to give
greater scope to their usefulness and in
fuence, by providing for an annual fair and
exhibition of stock, implements and farm
products, accompanied with various incl
dental amusements to attract and excite
popular interest. The business of such So
cleties or organizations is frequently con-
Quoted by few members in person, while
the larger proportion are either absent or
represented by proxy.
The organization of farmers and mer-
chants proposed to be made permanent by
the institution herewith reported, is a re-
preventative body, in which the entire
farming and mercantile classes can have
voice and representation. The principle of
paid membership has no existence here.
And the body itself being clothed only
with delegated powers of representation,
its members cannot, without usurpation or
violence to well established maXims Of
public law, transfer its delegated trusts and
powers either to its co-members or inter-
ested outsiders. The system of proxy
voting is unknown to our association.
The only feature or provision, approach
ing it, even apparently, is the principle of
alternate representation.
Its membership is not confined to any
circumscrbed locality, other than the ter
ritory embraced within the bounds of the
council-to-wit, Virginia and North Caro-
lima. Its doors are wide open to all farm
ers in these States, who may choose to send
delegates from their respective counties and
cities to represent them, and reflect their
will as we'll as protect their interests.
The plan of organization herewith re.
ported will not in its operations interfere
with the sphere of usefulness or objects Of
either the State, or Petersburg, or any
other Agricultural Society. 1t is not in
tended or designed to take their place. 1t
does not desire or aim to conflict with
them in the slightest degree. They have
their appropriate work in the great field of
agricultural development and productive
industry. We desire to be co-workers in
the same enlarged field in furtherance of
the same common cause.
Our annual meeting occurs posterior to
the fairs and exhibitions of these societies,
so as to avoid distraction of public atten-
ton on either occasion.
The place of meeting, while fixed at
Petersburg, is capable of alteration at each
council so as to meet the wishes of a major
ity of its members. If it should be
desirable from any cause, either to accept
the polite invitations of other cities or to
avoid the imputation of a selfish monopoly
on the part of Petersburg, to have any
annual meeting elsewhere, it is competent
for the council then in session, by ma
jority vote, to designate where the next
succeeding council shall hold its session.
In submitting the reported constitution,
as the basis of permanent organization of
the agricultural interests of Virginia and
North Carolina, the committee do not
claim for their work the merit of perfec-
ton. They are aware of its defects, but
content themselves with the reflection that
time and the enlarged wisdom of this Con-
unpfinf1 cnrp1xy hiatt la
needed in groundwork or detail to render
the structure adequate to its end and aim.
If the plan reported meet the wishes of
the Convention and be found to answer the
purpose of its design-if it conduct us to
if it links together the large brotherhood of
the two States and results in the increased
prosperity Of both-if it succeed in inn
proving our exhausted lands and in giving
more profitable direction to our industry
if it raise agriculture from its depression
and place it in its entitled exaltation-the
committee will feel amply rewarded for
whatever humble services they have rem
dered in contemplating the general good
thus accomplished.
Your committee ask to be discharged
from further consideration of the sub
ject-matter herein reported.
EDWARD DRUMGooLE, Chm'n,
GEo. w. BOILING,
CHAs. N. RoMAINE.
The report of the Committee on Organ
ization was then read.
The plan proposes farmers Council, to
be composed of two delegates from each
township in the State, serving for two
years. This council shall meet once a
year or oftener, upon the call of the Pres-
dent. and deliberate upon the interests Of the
people.
The following standing committees are
proposed:
A Committee on Finance, consisting of
- members. A Committee on Immi-
grafton, consistion of ------- members. A
Committee on Fertilizers, consisting of -
members. A Committee on Labor and
Transportation, consisting of - mem
bers. A Committee on Tobacco, consist
ing Of - members. A Committee on
Cereals, Grasses and Stock, consisting of
- members. A Committee on H0rti-
culture and Pomology, consisting of -
members. A Committee on Cotton. A
Committee on Agricultural Education.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
| DR.. j. Ii. Hunt moved that the order of
exercises be referred for arrangement to a
| cnrnp;ftaa ae fhraa daptad