The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1873-03-14

HeS0treh, Inat we tender our Sill
cere thanks to the editors of those
papers who have given us aid and
comfort by publishing letters, notices
and other matter that have tended to
the furthering Of our interest, and we
consider it our duty to give them our
patronage and support.
| After the adoption of these resolu-
tions by a unanimous vote Of the Con-
vention, Mr.. John Henry Smith, of
Harrisburg, was called upon to ad-
dress the meeting, who, after some
apologies, proceeded to deliver a very
able and interesting speech, the most
of which was well received BY the
farmers present, being frequently APP
plauded. We are sorry of our inabil-
ity to give the effort of Mr.. Smith
but limited and necessarily imperfect
notice, our notes having become some
what mixed, and many of the best
points have escaped Us entirely.
SPEECH OF J. II. SMITH.
| The speaker said the object of the
Farmers movement was not to wage
war against any class, but to relieve
the farmer; to provide ways and
means by which he might obtain bet
ter,prices for his products. He spoke
OF those who talk on paper, in regard
to rotation In crops, as knowing no
more of the subject than the knowl-
edge of farming jokingly attributed to
the late Mr.. Greeley. Oregon is pre-
eminently wheat country wheat is
the chiefcorner stone, always had been,
and farmers must depend upon the
production of that mainly. TO get a
coed price for wheat was the chief
anxiety. How may Oregon farmers
do this? Affairs in Europe indicate a
wheat famine in England, as she de-
pends largely on Russia for her sup
plies. If the right kind of preparations
are made, handsome prices may be re-
allied for Oregon wheat the coming
season. The first step required in this
direction, is organization. Farmers
Clubs should be established i'm every
District, that all classes of farmers,
rich and poor, may act in harmony,
and with definite purpose. Another
step was for the farmers, through these
clubs, to build their own warehouses.
Had been wheat buyer, and knew
the advantage Of these houses. Gave
all instance Of where farmers in Yam
hill county were compelled to take 81
for their wheat, instead of 81 10, which
he would have given, had there been
warehouses in which to place it. ln-
surance paid for wheat would build the
warehouses. Now that the VILLAIN
ette river is open, free to any kind of
boats, fiat boats, or any other kind
may he used to carry the wheat.
Freights can always be carried much
cheaperby water than by rail. The
speaker showed in detail how much
loss. delay and expense were incurred
to the farmer by the present mode OF
shipping wheat. Much of this could |
be obviated by loading at the Club |
warehouses Oh the bank OF the river,
and then carrying it clear to Astoria
without change. 1t would help to
make up the discrepancy in prices be-
tween Portland and San Francisco.
They would make haste, however, to
90 slow. Begin by building ware
houses. In regard to the statement
often urged that Farmers can't unite" !"
he thought this practicable mainly to
the independent nature OF the farmers
business. The farmers Is used to COM
mand, and hence restraint, or direc-
tion, ehafes him; hence, it Is hard for
him to unite; but concessions must be
made to do anything. and especially in
the present case. He thought, how
ever, that as farmers constitute about
fOur-flfths Of Our population. that ii
any class received favors it should be
theirs.
The speaker then flew off into AN
argument to prove that the doctrine
of free trade was jnst the thing needed
to restore the heads to Oregon farm
ers, which the policy of protection,
as applied to American iron used in
the building Of our Pacific Railroad,
as we understood him, decapitated.
The illustration he used here of the
sword aud scimeter was very nice, very
sharply used, but we are afraid it sew
cred the influence Of the former part OF
his speech upon the minds of those
who believe in protection. That part
could have been left out with profit.
The main points made by the speaker,
however, on the importance Of union
Of effort, building Of warehouses, car
rying Of freight through in bulk to
Astoria, were strongly and convincing
" made. We are sorry the figures and
used by the speaker as he
went along are net at our command.
SPEECH OF CAPTAIN GRAY.
This gentleman, a resident Of Asto-
ria, being present, at the call Of the
Convention came forward, and in a
plain business-like manner gave some