The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-12-27
TIE FARMERS.
THE RECENT CONVENTION AT
DECATUR.
Synopsis of Proceedings..The Res
OlutiOns, &c.

,vbere and its proceedings were deepiy lm
nortant, we propose to give much ruler sy
nons;s of its proceeding than the brlel tImc
and limited space at our disposal enabled Us
n give last week. The convention was really
tbc first farmers meeting projected on such
scale that had the nerve and manlness TO an
rounce distinctly the objects and true sgnlh
cameo Of the anti.monopoly movement, ana
10 declare openly that its aims must be sought
outside and independently of either OF the
other two political parties of the day. Inc
real anmus of the convention may be gath
cred not only from its resolutions, but more
forcbly still, if possible, from the manner IN
which it received the address of Senator
York. of Kansas, of which more anon.
The convention met at Q o'clock A. NJ. IN
Brenneman's Opera House, Decatur, Deem
her 10Th. and was called to order by W. {,
Flag President of the State Association.
In his opening address the President con-
rratulated the delegates on the progress OF
The cause within the past year, and stated that
today not single county in the state was
without an organization" At Bloomington
the convention had voted not to organize Il
marty lint "today the farmers candidates
held Office in a majority Of the counties" 1t
was a time for liberation and prudence;
great results depended on the action of this
body, &c.
The opening speech Of the President was
succeeded by an address from Secretary
smith, who made a brief report on the opera
tons of tho year. "The most sanguine,' he
said, "at the time of the Bloomington con
yention, had not anticipated such rapid
multiplication of organizations in the state
rs had followed" He had received reports
in full or in part from 81 counties, showing
an aggregate of $50 clubs, with a membership
of 4G,473, and $40 clubs VINO had reported
their organization, but neglected their mem
bership.
These addresses, with appointing commit
tees - credentials, organization, &c, occu
pied the morning session, and the convention
adjourned TO 2 O'Clock.
At the afternoons session the committee on
credentials made u partial report, showing
about 400 delegates present from $50 asso-
Citations.
Secretary Smith then read, by permission,
Il lengthy paper on the subject of Through
water transportation" 1t was an argument
in favor Of the construction by the govern
ment Of the Niagara Ship Canal and the
4liamplsin and Hudson Canal, as northern
through transportation route by water; of the
James River and Kanawha canal, with the
Improvement of the OHIO river, as middle
route, and Of the Improvement of the outlet
of the Mississippi by the construction of the
Fort st. Philip canal as a southern route. To
complete this system he also urged the com
pletiOn of the improvement OF the Illinois
river, already begun, and the enlargement of
The Illinois and the Erie canal Mr. Smith
maintained that these Improvements would
not cost half as much as the government had
squandcred on the Pacific Railroad that il
would accomplish all that the farmers of the
west would need for many years to the way
Of cheap transportation, and that the plan
was infinitely preferable to the projects o
congressional enforcement of interstate rcgu
lation of railroads, or Of through freigh
routes by congressional aid,-projects both o
which were surrounded with infinite lcga
difficulties Mr.. Smith closed his paper viii
resolutions covering his views, which, after
brief discussion, were referred to the com
mittee on resolutions.
The reading Of his paper was followed b.
smother from Congressman lGawlcy, on tn
power Of Congress, under the constitutions
clause of regulating commerce between lh
states, to establish uniform intcrsta rates {
fares and frcights upon the railroads Vi
lIawlcy maintains the POSSESSION OF such
power by congress TO the fullest extent I'll
reading of this paper excited another liycl
debate, in which frequent allusiOn was mac
10 salary grabbers, of which Hawley is
somewhat conspicuous one.
The convention then adjourned to half pa
seven o'clock z. N.
In the evening the convention, with a lare
outside audience, heard an able lecture b
senator York, Of Kansas, on the growth {
corruption in legislation Senator Y, in d
.crbing the gradual growth of the preser
iearfully corrupt system of legislation, a
Tibutcd all our woes to the siumbcr of ia
people, who, in the serene satisfaction OF p.
iriotic desert voted for the party whIch the
believed had saved the nation from destru,
ton, without inquring into its tendencies an
measures. They voted against the rebels,
he dlctaiion Of thieves, and thought all va
we'll. But the people slept; they knew n,
where ii would all end The speaker va
here met by storm Of applause, und cries
That's so,n Were awake now we kno
our enemies, There are no rebels now
wen clean out the thieves" Throughout III
whole address Of Col. York. whenever an a
fusion was made 10 the corruptness of the II
publican party he was met with storm
applause and cries Of Clown with the fnr