The Portland daily press., 1882-02-24


pocket.
Mr.. bennett thought that was the packers
business. If they paid three cents Ior II
ounces of corn and sold % ounces for three
cents that was their business.
Mr.. Hammond figured the cost OF raising an
acre of corn at $40S9, and another gentleman
at $50. One gentlemen told Mr.. Mcclellan he
had Melted $139 per acre.
Mr. Moody thought if the producer couldn't
raise corn at profit he must try something
else The question was not whether he could
make the most out OF his land or not, but now
to get the living out OF it.
Mr.. Mcclellan thought the productive quail
cations of different localities varied.
Mr. Dyer thought it would be well for the
packers to meet the farmers half way and he
offered the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That the secretary of this meeting
send circulars to the farmers in the various
towns to meet in this city, and also invite the
packers to meet with them on the same occa-
sion, in order to make some equitable arrange
ment of prices.
The meeting then adjourned to afternoon
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The convention reassembled at 1.30 p M,
Mr. Lewis Mcclellan in the chair.
Mr. Chase of Standish was called on to give
his views in relation to planting sweet corn,
but said he had nothing to offer then, but
would perhaps have something to say later on.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Dyer atthe
forenoon session was read by the chairman.
Mr. Dyer spoke in support of his resolution,
but said he was willing it should be set aside,
provided better one was proposed.
Mr.. VIM. l.. Prince thought it wouldn' t
amount to much If the corn packers should
meet the planters of sweet corn, as proposed by
the resolution The planters are as well pre-
pared day to state the price they can AFFORD
to plant for as they ever will be:
This view was supported by Mr.. M. w {.
Pearson of Cumberland who said the tone OF
the replies to the ninety circulars ne mad sent
out as directed by the Cumberland Farmers
Club all indicated that the farmers had made
up their minds as to the price they ought TO
have for planting sweet corn.
Mr.. A. r. Smiley, who was present as re-
preventative of the Skowhegan grange, said ne
hoped this convention would not ADJOURN De-
fore adopting some definite line OF action In
the matter He wanted to be able to lay be-
fore his grange on his return something done
at this convention of a definite nature.
On motion A. B. Smiley of Skowhegan, j..
81. Hammond of Berwick, were appointed q
committee to prepare resolution embodying
their ideas in regard TO fair price Tor planting
sweet corn for packers.
Mr. knights, who runs the corn packing fac
tory at Springvale, was asked to give his views
of the movement. He said it was his wish
that both the corn planters and manufacturers
should get fair price. 1t is well known
fact that the margin to-day en- packed sweet
corn is light. The season last year was not a
favorable one. This was due in some instances
to the poor quality of the seed.
On motion Mr.. Dyer's resolution was laid on
the table for the present.
Mr.. Smiley, in behalf of the committee of
which he was chairman, reported a resolution
to the effect that $3.50 per 100 pounds is just
and fair compensation for raising sweet corn.
Mr.. Fernald, of the Saco Grange, spoke
briefly in favor of this resolution.
Mr.. Skillins, of North Yarmouth, was OF the
same opinion. He said the farmers in his sec
tion had made up their minds not to plant corn
another season at the old prices.
Mr.. Perkins, of Mechanic Falls, expressed
similar views
Mr.. John o. Rice of Portland in response to
the call of the chairman made very interest
ing speech. Having for series OF years been
connected with the Portland Packing Com
pany, a part of which time he travelled
through many states in this country as well as
over a large portion of Europe, as sales agent
for said company, he was able to make an ac-
curate statement of the past history OF this
state, and also point out what may be reason
ably expected for it in the future. In 1872
when Maine had a monopoly, SO to speak, OF
the corn packing business, the packers could
sell their corn readily at So per case. But as
other states wents into the business, the price
kept going down until in 1879 it touched bot
tom at ST. per case. Mr.. Rice advised the con-
V6nllOu uOt 10 10 100 Nasty III
advance on the price of planting their corn,
thereby making it impossible for Maine
packers to compete with other states in the
great markets of the West and elsewhere.
Mr.. Hart of Deering was of Mr.. Rice's way
of thinking, and thought conference with
the packers should be held before taking con-
elusive action.
After considerable more discussion the reso-
luton presented by Mr.. Smiley was unani-
mously adopted as indicating the sense OF the
as regards the prices for planting
sweet corn.
1t was stated that at the rate of $3.50 per 100
pounds of corn the packers would have to pay
the coming season 1-16 cents per can, reckon
ing twenty-six ounces to a can. The price paid
last year was about three cents can.
Mr.. Dyer's resolution was taken from the
table, amended on motion of VIM. l.. Prince
and then unanimously passed.
The resolution as passed is as follows
Resolved, That the Secretary of this meeting, by
notice published in the newspapers invite producers
If corn in the various towns of the State to send
delegates to convention to be held in this cty also
that similar notice be sent to each of the corn
packing firms on that occasion, in order that an
equitable arrangement may be made between pro-
iucer and manufacturer in regard to prices and con-
tracts.
Mr. Tibbetts, of Deering, stated that his four
acres of sweet corn last year cost him over $75
per acre.
The meeting was then adjourned to meet at
the same place at 10 o'clock a. m. two weeks
hence.
Straight Greenbackers.
The mss a convention of the Greenbackers
was held at Old City Hall Wednesday evening.
The convention was called to order by P. II.
Gordon, and Edward Hickey was elected
chairman.
DIR. j. b. Fillebrown, w. FL. Fletcher, and
B. M. Springer were appointed committee on
resolutions They reported the following
which were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The burdens incident to extrava-
CANT expenditure, high salaries and excessive
Taxation under which the people now groan
have their inception in local and municipal
government; and
Whereas, Statistics prove that vice and in
temperance are the prolific outgrowth OF pow
srty and hard times; therefore
Res0lyed, That strict economy is demanded
in all branches of the city government to the
end that the burdens of the people be light
sned and their lives made less intolerable;
despair.
Resolyed, That we heartily endorse the pro-
nibitory laws of the State and demand strict
thereof.
Resolued, That to this end we earnestly ask
he hearty cooperation OF all voters without
regard to party
B. H. Houston, Robert Thornhill and John
Harper were appointed committee to receive,
sort and count votes.
The vote for candidate for Mayor resulted
as follows:
Whole number of votes... .........,.........36
Necessary for choice ........... ........ liz
Asa Ia. Ames. .....-....-.......... I'D
Andrew 81 John son. =. ..-.....lO
ID. w. Fletcher .....-,.,.,. L
Mr.. Ames was then declared the nominee of
she convention.
R. M. Springer, John S. Fitz and E. FL.
Homan were appointed committee to nomi
nate candidates for school committee.
Personal.
The Boston Journal says. "The Republicans
If Portland have nominated Charles f. Libby
Esq, for Mayor. The Republicans have al
ways given the city excellent Mayors, and Mr..
Libby if elected, will rank among the best"
Mrs A. M. Diaz, the well-known author of
the civilian Henry Letters" will read pa
per at Reception Hall Saturday afternoon, at
4 p. m. The public are invited. DR.. Devoll
will read her paper on Friday afternoon.
The Lewiston Democrats have nominated
DIR. A. M. Garcelon for Mayor.
Galen G. Moses, Esq. has been elected pres
;dant of the First National Bank of Bath in