The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-12-20
STATE FARMERS ASSOCIATION.

The Chicago dailleS since W edneSday con
tam daily voluminons reports of the proceed
lings of the State Farmers Association which
= met on Thursday at Decatur.
. The meeting appears to have been uncxpect
edly .arge delegations being prcsenttrom some
800 local associations. w. G. Flagg opened
the proceedings in lengthy address, con
graduating the farmers on the success of the
association s. NJ. Smith, the secretary, alsC
read long address, stating that there are $40
: Farmers Clubs in the state, with "a county
associations.
The proceedings were deeply interesting
consisting of essays, speeches and offering res
Iolutions OF these last indeed, the number wss
almost without limit as were the objects they
cover. Some of them were sensible and
'Iiudicious others wild and cxtravagant, and
often laughably absurd, Here is brief list
made up at random from the subjects covered
by few of the resolution offered by different
members on Wednesday and Thursday
Fayoring law reform.
In favor of securing more competent candl-
dates for Office
In favor of dealing directly with the work
! ing men of the east
| Favor more severe punishment Of the
taking of brides.
Demanding that the present railroad law
be kept intact.
Denouncng nominating conventions
Demanding radical reconstruction of the
present system of courts
Declaring that the price Of property should
be based on the cost of production.
Characterizing the present railroad law Of
the state rs eXtortonate and unjust.
Favoring harmony between the farmers
associations and the oranges.
Blacklisting the signcrs Of the Chicago
plow makers resolution.
Repudiating the Dartmouth decision
In favor of the free expectation of alcohol
Condemnng the salary grab.
And so forth, and so torth
Among the most remarkable batch of rcsO.
buttons presented WAS that ola Mr. Emerson, of
Virginia, who favors he ORGANIZATIONS in
each state, of board of transportation, by
which the accounts q all the railroads in the
state are to be kept under their immediate
supervision This board is to have absolute
control over the roads in all respects, not only
as to charges for transportation, but also rs
to the declaring of dividends, and even the
movement of trains.
All the resolutions, with occasional unim.
portant exceptions, as they are presented
were referred to appropriate committees, and
most of them we're never heard of afterwards. !
The resolutions finally adopted by the con
vention were sixteen in number, and covered
the following points:
That every voter should attend all primary |
OF candidates for Office.
That the old parties have lost the confidence
ofthe country and absolving ourselves from
allegiance to them.
Demanding an unconditional repeal of the |
salary grab law.
Demanding areduction of salaries
Demanding civil service reform.
In favor of protecting navigation of lake
and improving navigation of inland rivers
and water connection.
Opposing protective tariff
Against further grants of public lands to
corporations. In favor of repeal of the
national banking law and the issue of green
back currency interchangeable for govern
ment bonds bearing low rate of interest
Favorng revision of the patent law
Opposed to extra sessions of the legisa
turc.
Favoring a fair trial of our railroad law
and opposed to congressional legislation
under the plea of regulating commerce thai
would interfere with the rights of states in tn,
premises
Demanding reduction of public expend
lures to the lowest limit.
Taking up the gauntlet of the pillow manu-
facturers" -"
The resolutions ELECTED hearty discussion
but were adopted with but little amendment,
We shall give them in full in our next, will
other memoranda of the proceedings.
The convention reelected It's old officer.
for the coming year, and adjourned late OF
Thursday evening.
There were many sound, sensible men il |
the convention, and also number of wild. |
hairbrhlned theorists, but in tho main tn,
counsels OF the better class prevailed, and
the result upon the whole are such ms can no,
'all TO have widespread and healthy infu
cnce.
SURRENDER OF THE vIRGINIUs