The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-10-31
CONVENTION OF FARMERS.

and More Facilities Demanded-What
Is Thought OF the Railway Monopoly.
The first National Convention of the
Patrons of Husbandry convened ut
Chicago Wednesday, Oct. %. Dele
gates were in attendance from Illinois,
Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska.
Indiana, New York and Canada.
G. ID. Beeman, of Iowa, was elected
temporary Chairman, and S. M. Smith
and 5. L. X. Prime, temporary Secre-
taries.
Mr.. Beeman, before taking the chair,
made short speech, in which he said
that he was en- route to New York to or
ganize State Grange. This question
of cheap transportation is one of vital
Importance to the farmers of the great
Northwest, when it is considered that
400, O00,O 600 bushels of grain are yearly
shipped eastward, and that the farmers
pay for freightage to the seaboard TWEEN
ty-five cents per bushel more than they
should pay if the charges were honestly
registered. Cormorants in the guise of
transportation companies are preying
upon the producers, and farmers must
guard their interests well.
A nentOrganization was effected
by the election of the following officers
James nj. Allen, President S. M.
Smith and S. II. X. Prime, Secreta-
ries.
Mr.. Flagg read to the Convention a
telegram from Hon. William Window,
Chairman of the Senate Committee on
transportation, inviting them to confer
with the committee, at their sitting in
st. Louis, by delegates or otherwise.
Mr.. A. q. Searles, of Kankakee
county, ILL.,, offered the following reso-
lutions which were laid on the table
WHEREAS, Railways have been built by
large grants of public lands and by subsidies
granted them by towns villages. and cities
through which they passed and
WHEREAS. They have the power granted
them by the State TO run their line of road
through our farms, and even through our
houses and barns. if they come iE the way of
their line Of road, and appropriate our prop
erty to their use without our consent and
against our wishes and desires therefore,
ResOlUed, That railways are public domain
and "a such should be under the control of
Congressional law and
ReSolced, That we call upon Congress to
enact general railway law and put them
under the control of Department Of the Gov
ernment or a bureau of the government
called the Department of Railway Transports
ton, that shall establish a uniform tariff Of
maximum rates per mile on the roads, and
rates per ton on water transportation from
place to place.
The following committee on Resolu-
tons was appointed : c. ID. Beeman,
Iowa A. G.. Dalton, Illinois, n. q.
Lockhart, Indiana wv. Kellogg, Wis
consin; Nj. Nj. Hooton, Illinois j.
5. Morton, Nebraska; Thomas Z.
Smith, Minnesota.
Mr.. j. 5. Morton, of Nebraska,
offered the following resolution, which
was adopted by the Convention
ReSolred That committee Of three citizens
OF Illinois be appointed by the Chair to report
to this Convention the effect upon producers
and shippers of the legislation on railways i'll
Illinois, and whether they advise similar legis-
Triton in all the States
The question of water transportation
was brought before the Convention in
the following resolutions offered by Mr..
Colleen, of Illinois
Resoioed, That the first duty of the people |
is to subject all transportation companies or
to the restraints of law and,
ReSOlred, That 1t is their next duty to urge |
the making of a ship channel from the Allan |
tic seaboard, by the way of the lakes and the |
Mississippi, to deep water in the Gulf of |
Mexico by the National Government and.
ResOlred, That it is our next duty to urge |
he Federal Government to assist in the build |
ng of double track railway between the |
Eastern and Western sections of country.
A long, spirited, and somewhat desul-
DRY discussion ensued, and the resolu-
ions were finally disposed of by refer
ing them to the Committee on Resolu-
ions.
After some business of an unimpor-
ant nature the Convention adjourned
SECOND DAY.
The second and last days's session of
he Convention was largely occupied
With a carefully-prepared address on
ailroads and transportation, by Mr..
Flagg, at the conclusion of which the
Committee on Resolutions made its
eports, which substantially embraces
he following propositions: /. That
congress pass maximum freight and
tariff between States, and
hat Legislatures regulate rates within
states. 2. That Congress open water
outes from the Mississippi river to the
eaboard. 3. That the people be urged
o support home manufactures. 4. That
he prospect of the early completion of
ilc iOuDlt-tidCh lTclSHJ TOdu from New
york to Omaha is matter of congratu-
alton. 3. Urging the people to free
from debt. 6. Opposition
0 special legislation. T. Thorough
rganization of the farmers for self
The first resolution was
assed. The second brought out long
iscussion, during which numerous sub
titutes and changes were made and
lbled, the final result being the adop.
ION of the following substitute:
1--WE demand the construction of rail
Dads and the improvement of water
between the interior
nd seaboard, the same to be owned {
nj operated by the General Govern {
tent for the purpose of affording cheap i
nd ample transportation, and to pro- {
sct the people from the exactions of {
9
The third, fifth, sixth, and seventh {
were unanimously adopted,
ut the fourth was lost.
Resolutions were also adopted urging
he Importance of speedy legislation on 2
lie transportion question, and recon- I
lending / armers' Associations to fur y
lsh the Railroad and Warehouse Com q
ission with information on which to I
rOsecute suits.