Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-02-29
THE RUTLAND HERALD.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY as, 1872.
0The National Agricultural Con.
yentiOn.


ton, at Washington, having brought the
session down to the afternoon of the
second day, we resume the proceedings
at that point.
Commissioner Watts asked the at
tention of the Convention for little
time, to say that he feared the Conven-
ton was departing from the purpose for
which it was convened. Aor he had no
purpose unless he could control
every movement, and the two hundred
gentlemen coming from all sections of
the United States having assembled pro-
posed to themselves to accomplish some
purpose, and not merely to sanction the
foreshadowed designs of the commits
si@ner of agriculture and go home. He
had mo- purpose in view, and hence
when the Convention resolved to go
alone and Independent, Mr.. Watts took
umbrage and said that he wished it dis
O. tinctly understood that he washed his
hands of the action of the convention
In the application for additional land
grants for agricultural education, and
further said "There shall never be
Oany distribution of the public lands, un-
less one-tenth thereof shall be kept in
timber inviolably," and concluded with
the forsible expression: II want to
wash my hands clear of all the folly of
which, you have been guilty" This
waSgseceived with laughter and indigna-
ton. If the convention had simply re-
commended to Congress to raise the
salary of the Commissioner from SO, 700
to $4,000, and adjourned, the old gen.
tleman would have been gratified, and
they ought to be satisfied to dispense.
But the convention thought they had a
higher purpose in which they were fully
sustained ly the Senators andmembers of
Congress who had seats in the conven-
ton, and therefore proceeded with the
order of business.
Governor Aiken of South Carolina,
offered a series of resolutions, expressing
the view that Congress in disposing of
Metpuhlic lands, for the promotion of
agriculture was actuated by the sole de-
sire of doing the greatest good to the
greatest number, and as this had failed,
in some of the States, to adequately
reach this end, therefore, the State Ag-
ricultural Societies should be the recip-
tents and custodians of these munifcent
land grants.
Governor Aiken then proceeded 10
address the convention in a hasty and
fiery manner, defending most strongly
the position of his State, and complained
that they were governed by saddle
baggers," who had received the land
scrip, sold it and put the avails in their
pockets and made off. SO they had
neither scrip, money or agricultural col
leges. He became so Incorporate in his
language he was called to order, but
was finally allowed to proceed. He re-
sumed with the acknowledgment that
he had been led off by enthusiasm, for
he was not there for the purpose of talk
ing poliGcs He was no politician, but
planter He could not help speaking
of a question so nearly allied to the in
terests of his State. The people of the
South were poor The war that had
placed in the hands of the negro the
ballot, had, with one swoop, impoyer-
ished their lands and made the people
beggars.
The resolution of Governor Aiken was
referred TO the committee on business.
Mr.. Barnett, of Georgia, presented an
able report on the relations of Agricul-
tural Colleges and Societies, concluding it
with a series of resolutions recommend
ing that the several agricultural societies
and colleges have some specific organ OF
communication with the Department OF
Agriculture, the person, time and topics
known, and that the Department pre-.
scribe topics, with appropriate printed
inquiries. Also that annual conventions
be held? that the Department tabulatt
the information obtained. and distribute
ii among the lesser organizations tina
the several State Societies cooperate
fully with department in obtaining sta
tistics of every sort, especially, of grow
ing crops, that the department shall
consider the entire field Of investigation
and assign to the several State organiza
tions appropriate subjects of observation
and also subjects for scientific inyestiga
ton by the agricultural colleges ant
their professors to collect information
as to the practical working of minor OF
CARNATIONS, less than State societies =
IN aNhi "a a
form of clubs for the immediate info1
nation and education of the farmer a
his work, making them schools for til
ear and eye alike; the Importance t
farmers of accurate account of cXpcr
ses, receipts in detail as means for COZ
slant annual improvements the be,
means of organizing ncighborhood a
sociations for mutual Improvement
The convention then adopted the re
oiution and referred it to the agricu
tural conventions.
Mr.. Murtfelt of Missouri introduced
resolution upon making the commissio
err of Agriculture a Cabinet officer. TIL
was opposed by Hon. Horace Magma
Of Tennessee and others, and lost
Mr.. Williams of Texas offered Il
following resolution;
Resolved, That it is the earnest wish
this Convention that Congress shou
largely increase the appropriation for {
Department of Agriculture.
On motion, a committee Of five W
appointed, consisting of Messrs Bowma
Beckett, Wheeler, Halsted and Clark,
lay the resolution before the commit
on appropriations of Congress.
Mr. Lines of Kansas, offered the f,
lowing resolution, which was adopte
ReSOired, That we earnestly advise n
entreat the farmers Of our whole count