The Benton democrat. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1871-18??, 1873-04-19


ments of the farmers of Oregon by reso-
lutions upon their various interests.
A large number of members express
ed their views at length, and with much
earnestness, as to what they considered
to be the primary objects of the Con-
vention and the duties of the Farmers
Clubs.
Superintendent Watkinds invited the
Convention to visit the Penitentiary.
Invitation accepted.
At this stage of the proceedings, the
Chairman of the Committee on Resolu
tions came into the hall and requested
time for further deliberation, and sug-
gested he following for discussion by
the Convention, as means of bringing
out more definitely the minds of the
members on the chief objects to be kept
in view of the Convention: " Shall
the farmers of the State organize for
the purpose of building wharves, ware
houses, steamboats,, and engage in the
business of transportation, or shall they
seek amelioration of the present condi-
ton by taking advantage of present
circumstances to obtain a reduction of
freights-also, as to what methods we
shall adopt to avoid the unnecessary ex-
pense entailed upon products in too fire.
quent handling by those between the
producer and the consumer" The re-
quest was granted--the suggestion was
adopted, followed by discussion that
showed marked ability and good feel
ing. At five o'clock the Convention
adjourned till seven P. m.
EVENING SESSION.
Convention called to order at 1880.
Committee on Resolutions made the fol-
lowing report:
WHEREAS, The practice of the far
mers of Oregon, in storing their wheat
in the warehouses of millers and grain
dealers, has resulted in placing the pow
er of setting the market prices of grain,
to great extent, within the control of
the buyer; and,
WHEREAS, The present system of
transportation of freight upon the Co.
lumbia and Willamette rivers is unneces-
sarily tedious and costly; therefore
ResolUed, First We strongly advise
that farmers keep absolute control of
their own products until sold, in order
to keep themselves free from conditional
engagements with middlemen.
Second-That it is manifestly the in
terest of the farmers of the Willamette
and Columbia river valleys to combine
and build warehouses at convenient
points along the railroad and navigable
streams, for the purpose of storing their
products. and to sell such products di-
rectly to the shipper or consumer, so as
to avoid the extortion of middlemen.
Third-That in our opinion, the con-
struction of warehouses at Astoria will
greatly facilitate the transportation of
our produce to foreign markets; and
that it is the conviction of this body
that a warehouse, or warehouses, at
said point will meet such encourage
ment at the hands of said farmers of
this State as will insure their scucess as
an investment.
Fourth-That while we are not pre-
pared to recommend the building of sea-
going vessels by farmers, yet the con-
struction of such vessels within our bor-
der, for the purpose of transporting our
products to foreign markets, deserves
every encouragement from the people
Of Oregon.
Fifth-That while we are in favor of
encouraging all legitimate means of
more cheaply and expeditiously send
ing off exports and receiving imports,
we would most emphatically recon-
mend the encouragement of all branch
es Of home manufactures as a means of
creating home market by the multi
plication of our consuming population.
Sixth-That as werecognize the mer-
chants of Oregon as sufferers in COM
mon with farmers where freights are
subjected to unnecessary cost and de-
lay; we therefore invite their co-opera-
ton with us in securing relief from our
present system.
Seventh-That having interest in
common with all skillful mechanics in
the encouragement of home manufacture
es, we would recommend to the consid-
Grafton of master mechanics the policy
of using apprentice labor.
Your committee beg leave to submit
the foregoing report.
The report was unanimously accept
ed, and the resolutions discussed Se,.i-
Gtatm. The third resolution called forth
the most earnest and able debate ever
witnessed in the Legislative Hall, Messrs
Smith and Mimic favoring. and Messrs.
Hairless and Davenport opposing its
adoption. 1t was passed by vote of
81 to "a.
Adjourned to s o'clock tomorrow.