The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1873-09-24
MASS CONTENTION OF TEN.
NESSEE FARMERS.

TOO IeH8IHy lot one issue OF our pa
per. We condense the most impor-
tant proceedings had. After tempo
rary organization, Col. C.. w. Charl-
ton, chairman of the committee on
Constitution and Bylaws presented
the following report:
The Constitution and Bylaws we
will publish hereafter.
The question teing upon the adop-
ton of the Constitution, the chair
man, DIR. Lee, said he wished to say
few words. He beliced 10000 in
telligent farmers in this State could
be organized together in State or
ganization, who would work for the
benefit If the fara ers of the State
There are 100000 inhabitants in
Tennessee, 6OO,0 of whom are
farmers and their families. There
are not less than 100000 of these
who are men that vote. Organize
these men and you can then be re-
cognized in the Congress of tie
United States by men who would la
Dor to serve your interests, and you
would be represented in the same
wy by the representativ of the
State. If you refuse to organize, if
you refuse to act together like
great army, then. gentlemen you are
at the mercy Of those who control the
corporations Of the State. There are
$4,000, 100000 invested in railroads
in the State of Tennessee. There
are $4,000, 700 invested in bonds.
and there are large sums invested in
insurance companies. Now, gentle
men, this capital is controlling to
large extent the legislation of the
whole country. l spent la winter
in Washington and know what I'm
speaking about. / have farm with
in two niles of Washington City
which l bought when l had charge of
the Agricultural Department of the
United States under Mr.. Filmore's
administration.
You know how sadly the people of
the South have suffered duriag the
last twelve years. If you do not
move now, there may be scourge
in the hands of the black man to
whip you. Now come together as
brothers, and l am with you. have
no other 'terest but an agricultural
interest. Come together-act to-
gether. Organize this body, IT, en- go
home and organize County Associa-
tons; and when you come together
let the greatest wisdom of the body
prevail. (Applause.)
The committee on permanent or
ganization- returned to the hall and
reported the following as their list of
nominations
President, w. II. Jackson.
President, first district. Gen.
Alfred E. jackson; second district,
G.. W. Char; ton; third district. Fhos.
Crutchfeld; fourth district, DIR. j.
w. Payne sixth district Dorsey T..
Thomas seventh district, Col. Jno.
B. Hamilton eight district, DR.. w.
P. Small wood, ninth district, Col.
Jno. t. Douglas tenth district, Col.
A. B. Haynes.
Secretary, DR.. Dani,l Lee, of Da-
wilson.
Treasurer, Thos. B. johnson. of
Davidson.
Recording Secretary, f. B. Wa7e.
The report of the committee was
adopted.
Upon taking his seat as the Presi-
dent of the State Association, Gen.
Jackson thanked the Convention for
the honor done him. Referring to
the question which would come be-
fore the Association. he said he was
satisfied that the present plantation
system would pass away, and he
thought the tenant system would be
the one to supercede it. He was
clearly of the opinion that the rail
roads after the liberal grants given
them, had failed to come up to their
full duty The railroads of this
State are owned and controlled by
non-residents who are not interested
in the agriculture of the State, but
discriminate in favor of the termini
of said roads and against local
freight. We ask nothing but justice
at the hands of railroads and all 9th
er industries. We disclaim politics
as an organization in toto, but wO do
feel that there are questions Of vital
importance to the country which
will come before us for consideration.
Col. Charlton offered the follow
ing:
Whereas it is apparent that the
labor system of Tennessee is inefff-
cient, and has failed to meet the
wants of the farmers of the State
therefore
Resolved, That the Convention IN
struct the Corresponding Secretary
of this body to open a correspon-
dence with Jas. Holmes, of Birming-
ham, England, or with any other re-
sponsible parties. either of Europe
or of the United States, with regard
to the practicability of procuring Ia
borers, male and female, and request
ing that all the information possible
be given relative to the matter.
Adopted.
Col. &. w. Charlton offered the
following:
Whereas, we are satisfied that
there are some irregularities and OPP
preston on the parts Of our railroads,
and whereas. we recognize the fact
that our railroad men are gentlemen
of character, whereas, we do not pro-
TESS to understand the details of
business as connected with the roads
in question, therefore
Resolved. That in order to under.
stand aud appreciate the real status
of railroad management in this State
and to know whether our grievances
relative to oppression and unfair
dealing are we'll founded, we deem
it more wise and judieious to APP
proach this great question calmly
aud oaufiouclv