Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-10-06
THE FARMERS CONGRESS-.
Synopsis of the Proceedings OF the Bodv
at st. Louis,

This body held fits second session In a.
Louis on the 29sh and 3Oth nit in conrac' ~
ton with the great st. Louis Fair. which I,
still going on. President Hudson delivered
at the opening OF the Congress a very able
and comprehensive address, outlining the
aims and objects of the Organization. touch.
ing upon the magnitude and greatness OF
the interests involved in American indus
tries, and counseling unsnimity and broth.
erhood among all classes throughout the
| country.
said:
The farmers who own and cultivate this
vast country have sent US here to consult as
| 70 our condition now, and to determine
"nse is oesb to be done to make our people
IN IN aii sections alike prosperous and happy.
Iney are watching with the most anxious
soheltude the result OF your labors, fixed in
the determination to carry out the policy
you may adopt. II we are TO measure our
responsibility by the extent OF our territory,
OF the millions whose interests are confided
10 US, or the future influence OF our wealth
ana productions upon the develODmens Of
the human race, the ablest mind In the world
might well distrust its ability to decide as to
the best policy to be adopted.
1t is not expected that we shall nature
q perfect system of operations now. but
with the progress OF knowledge, the dis
coVeries OF science, the lessons of expe-
rience, the collection OF reliable statistical
information, and by closely observing the ef-
tects OF legislation on our great industry, we
VIII have charts to direct us in our future
deliberations. Some things essential to our
SAFETY and prosperity are conceded by all.
Let us upon these questions be q unit In
sentiment and action, First In i'm
portance is, that agriculture should
Oe heard In the administration
OF the government-in the Cabinet at
washington. Not alone as to theories
about production, the increase of products
per acre, the value of different crops, the
introduction and distribution of new and
improved seeds and plants; but we want a
representative there whose special training
and information will enable him to point
out the effects of State and Federal taxation
on agriculture, as well as the result of com
melcial treaties and regulations now in
force or which may be brought to the con-
sideration of the government. II he
finds the policy of the government,
either as to the imposition OF
taxes or commercial treaties, work
ing injury to the farmer, then to direct pub
lie attention to the fact, with suggestions as
TO the remedies to be employed. It is ex-
pected that our investigations will lead us
10 consider the manner, the purposes and |
principles OF State and Federal taxation.
In government OF the people II is supposed |
that the principles of Justice and right will |
be omnipotent in its administration, II is
found that such principles are disregarded |
it Is our right and solemn duty to proclaim |
the truth and to impress upon our rulers the |
fact that we do not beg but demand equal |
rights, equal justice, with equal burdens" |
At the conclusion of the Presidents ad- |
dress, which was received with demonstra-
tfons OF applause, member took the door |
and offered the following:
RsSOlUsd, That the President of this Con- |
gress appoint committee of three of the |
best Informed citizens, whose duty It shall /
be forthwith to address the Tariff Com /
mission, either in person or by open letter,
In behalf OF the producing classes, detail
ing as much as possible the serious effects
or protective tariff on the agricultural in
tereats OF the country, and that the letter OF
such committee be published in such lead
ing journals as may be willing to do so.
This resolution met with no opposition
but was laid over and sdopted the next day |
A letter from Gen. Loring, Agricultural
Commissioner, was read. the writer inform.
ing the Congress that he would do every.
thing In his power to forward their in
terests at Washington.
Mr.. G. W. Murtfeldt, of Kirkwood, then
took the floor and read carefully prepared
essay on agriculture, from which the fol
lowing is an extrac /:
SIT may be trite, bat It Is true, that agF.-
culture in It's general and broadest sense is
the most ancient, the most honorable and |
the most important occupation OF man. II |
would give nle pleasure to mention Abra-
ham, Isaac and Jacob as stock raisers. and /
Joseph as the model farmer and grain mer-
chant, but l will fOrbear: the record of |
these worthless is open to all OF YOU and
forms pleasing as well as instructive study |
for every thoughtful man. need 90 back no
further TO establish the claim for agricul-
ture as the Oldest occupation Of man. Ag-
riculture is also the most complex, when
considered as an art or science. What is
called high farming or intelligent agri-
culture, requires varied knowledge and ex-
perience; one might say a proficiency in
many trades and arts, as well as science.
The man who would be q successful farmer |
must know something Of mechanics, of the
constituent parts of soils, OF physics, of
botany, Of anatomy, meteorology, and po.
litcal economy, of mathematics, especially
bookkeeping, etc.
"He must not only know how to plow. |
but the why and wherefore, and when, and
so with the most of his labors: and. in addi-
ton to this, he must possess more than
ordinary executive ability, in order to en-
ploy to the best advantage the labor Of man
aud beast. He must know how to conserve
the health Of his domestic animals as well
as his own and that OF his laborers. It is
too expensive, as well as inexpedient. to
employ physician or veterinarian by the
year, and have either or both Of them sufl-
clently near to come speedily on call.
"He must also know the quality and pro-
ductfVeness OF his acres, in order to select |
that particular branch of farming, the pro-
ducts OF which will, under the conditions
and circumstances by which he is surround
ed, net him the surest and largest returns in
cash for his investments of money, time and
labor.
81 remark further, that in its widest sense
the word agriculture includes horticulture.
the growing of live stock, the production of
beef, mutton, pork, poultry, wool, butter
and cheese. So long as the dinner table is
the great table Of interest to all mankind,
blessed with sound body, and so long as
the question of "what shall we eat, drink
and wear" is new every morning, noon and
night, so long will agriculture continue to
be the most important employment of man.
Hence all that we can learn, teach and prsc-
tice, all that art and science can do to throw
light on this most important occupation,
must OF necessity be productive of good.n
Mr.. Murfeldt's essay closed the proceed
ings OF the first day. Il will be seen that
the Farmers Congress takes the ssbulI bv
the horns" on the subject OF "free trade
and lays the foundation Of tariff revolution
In the centre of future population and
power. 1t will not be many more decades
that New England, with all the North At
lantic States to help her, will be able to stem
the food setting ln from the mighty valley
OF the Mississippi. The voice of the coun-
try is against high protective tariffs, and the
favored sclaGses will not much longer be
able to enjoy their monopolies.
-$~-o@<
Plain Talk About EgVDt