The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-10-31
Agricultural Society.

Il
ADDRESS OF SENATOR JoHssTON--AN EFFORT
Z TO NFUsE NEW BLOOD INTO THE ExECU-
TIVE CoAMfTTEs-A CHARGE THAT 1T IS
sELF-PERPETUATING, CLOSE CORPORA
TIoS-A BIG FIGHT COMING OFF AT WILL
E1NsoE's HALL TONIGHT.
Senator John W. Johnston last evening
addressed the State Agricultural Society OF
Virginia, by invitation, on the subject OF
Immigration, and was listened to with
marked attention by leading agriculturists
Of the Commonwealth as well as citizens OF
Richmond. There was applause at the close
/ of his remarks, and the Society unan-
mously agreed to the resolution OF Major
Sutherin that lhe address be published in
| full and the Legislature be requested to
carry out the suggestions contained it 1t.
| Our need being capital and population,
Senator Johnston said the question is, Is
there any country the condition OF which
makes it likely that its capital and redun-
daut population will seek new fields? In
lTepIy, be declared he thought Great Britain
lis such country. He reviewed the con-
dition Of things during the continuance OF
the corn laws, showing that the protection
given wheat, &C., made the price OF grain
higher and the rents Of land enormous,
as they reached an average OF fifteen
dollars per acre. In addition. he cited the
fact that the renters OF land had to pay
tithes. Furthermore, he said leases were
made for long term, and these still con-
tinue. The corn laws, however, in obe-
dience to popular camor, were repealed,
which brought down the price Of British
grain and the profit OF farming. =. The
onerous leases are nevertheless still in
force, and hence it is that farming
in Great Britain, under the existing
system, 1s not profitable. The peo-
pie feel this, aud, Senator Johnston said,
are anxious for change. The,ayerage size
OF British farms, he stated in this conuec-
tion is 33 acres, and 100-acre farms rent for
$500 per annum. There IN % OF the
population is q paurer, and the sum annu-
ally paid fer rents in England is S300,00O,-
900. He proceeded TO show that while Ire
land was during the existence OF the corn
laws agitated by the discussion Of the fol-
lowing questions-to wit, the union with
England, the repeal Of that union, the dis
establishment OF the Irish Church, and the
Catholic emancipation, now the question OF
rents and land-teuures swallows up all other
issues. In consequence Of high rents and
unsatisfactory Iandt tenures about one fourth
OF "the Emerald lsle," be said, is in waste
lands and begs, and the waste lands are in
creaslng at the rate OF one hundred thou-
sand acres year. The effect OF this was TO
decrease the population nearly TWO million
between 1S41 and 1851. He further re-
marked that not only was this the condition
of the farming interest, but the mining ana
manufacturing classes were no better OH.
For these reasons, be argued, population
and capital would leave England and Ire
land; and he coutended they would seek
the United States because we produce cot
ton, wool, timber, &c.-have more inyen-
tive genius and cheaper food, and our min
erals, instead OF being 1000 feet below the
ground rs in England, are on the surface.
Then, said be, we have more variety Of pro-
ductiop, and the capacity to produce more
food than we consume, while England has
continually TO purchase food. In view OF
this, he thought Virginia ought, through
her Legislature and Immigration Associa-
ton, TO take steps to secure portion OF
this immigration, because her population,
climate, productions. and institutions suit
the English, Irlsb, Scotch, and Welsh peo-
pie.
Tbe address was full Of good sense and
practical suggestions, and will have good
effect when published in full.
On motion Of Major W. T. Sutherlin, the
tLallhS VI luC SOtlCtS NClC NOlSo ESh0tpA
Johnston for his address
as TO NEW BLOOD.
The report Of the Committee on the Re-
vision OF the Constitution proposing in
brief that one third OF the members OF the
Executive Committee shall retire at the END
Of each year and not be Immediately elISi-
bic for reelection] was presented.
y majority OF the committee opposed the
vlIuu.r.
Colonel Randolph Harrison, member,
offered a minority report in favor OF the
change.
DR.. EI:zcy opposed the change.
Colonel Harrison spoke III favor OF it, for
one reason, because the present system is
regarded as a sclf-perpetuating, close cor
poratlon. lie did not say so himself, but
he knew that was the outside view.
The question was put and the minority
report declared adopted. \ count was
called Tor, and resulted: Ayes, 4G; noes,
81. So the minority report was again de-
clared adopted. The point was now raised
land held good that two-thirds vote was
required to incorporate this matter IN the
constitution.
The question being upon the amendment
| to the constitution as proposed by Coloncl
Harrison, 4 stock vote was called. Nu-
merous dilatory motions were made.
POINTS OF ORDER.
The Chairman (iaior Drewry) stated to
the secretary, The secretary will now call
the roll" Colonel Beverly moved TO adj
journ. The Chair entertained the motion,
but it was voted down. A member: 4"
renew the notion" No other business
had intervenedl II was put by the Chair,
and again VI ted down. Br. El'zey called
for count. Result-ayes. 81 noes, A..
So the Society refused to adjourn.
The secretary (at 1880 o'c!ock] proceeded
to call the roll of TWO or three thousand
members, including many persons VINO
have been dead ten or fifteen years. Alter
he had called about twenty-five names a
motion was made that further calling be
suspended. The Chair (Mr. Burke ruled
1t out of order. An appeal was demanded
and entertained. No quorum voted. The
Society then adjourned until tonight. when
there will be an immense tight over the
new.blnod policy, and also over election
of president.
The meeting OF the life members OF the
Society tonight promises to be one OF mucl
interest. as was the meetin" last night. The
probable candidates for the office OF presl
dent are Colonel Robert Beverly. Major
Thomas w. boswell, Mr. John Is. DAVIS
and Colonel George w. Palmer
Mr.. YoUNG's BENEFIT AT THE THEATRE
To-N1GuT.-Mr Sam. Young, the inimta
bic &" Captain" of Mr.. Ford's PiDafore Com
pany, will tonight be rendered q benefit a
the Theatre, and Il splendid audience wi!
no doubt show their appreciation OF thl
talented actor and singer. Mr.. Young i
well known here. anG his many friends vii