Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-06-28
AFTERNOON SESSION.

1he meeting was called to order at l; 81
o'clock. After n song by the choir Mrs
Bacon read an essay, entitled "DestructioI
of the old oak"-very instructive. Worthy
Lecturer L. A. Flint presented the subjec
for the afternoons consideration, to wit
unjust speculation in brcadstuffs," show
ing by facts and figures the operation in
grain in Chicago, Cincinnati and Other
western markets to be simply species o.
gambling by betting on the rise or fall oi
the market for given time, and paying
or agreeing to pay the margin only, and
then resorting to every means stock
gambler would to create strngency in
the market, advancing the price, which the
consumer had to pay and tho producer
did not receive.
Bro. Andrews thought there was no
sympathy with monopolists, for any man
or set of men so long as their Golfers were
being filled, but must be restrained by
Legislative action, to accomplish which il
was necessary to have the masses better
informed in matters Of public policy and
political economy, and meetings of this
kind were proper places to consider these
as well as other agricultural topics. The
disposition Of the products of the farm are
of rs much consequence to farmers as any
thing else.
Bro. Carlton thought each individual
should have the privilege of buying and
holding as much and as long as he pleased
and that the people of Vermont should
raise what grain they used and not be de-
pendent on other states.
Bro. Cummings of Braintree thought it
xvo1 70 % of UarD,ont ,o ;a;rr, ,1l
the grain that was needed at the present
for it was impossible to do so. Thought
unjust speculation TO be wrong, and mono
poles should not be suffered to rule.
Bro. II. d. Abbott thought the masses
generally did not understand the causes
which produced the trouble, and it was
somewhat difficult matter to so under
stand it as to produce the desired result
He thought tho matter under considcra-
ton to be wrong and ought to be remcd.
led, and in order to remedy the evil the
rural population would have TO move in
the matter.
Bro. Cummings said we had monopolies
on every hand-bank monopoly, insurance
monopoly, leather monopoly, iron Mono
poly, coal and oil, telegraph and telephone,
railroads, elevated and terrestrial-but |
think he did not mention an agricultural
or farmers monopoly. Others expressed
similar views. twas conceded that trans.
portation had much to do with the rise
and fall in prices of breadstufS.
During the time Mr.. o. NJ. Tinkham Of
the FREEMAN came in, and being called
for some remarks, rs is his wont, favored
the meeting with ten minutes spicy talk
lie remarked that in attending the meet
ings of the board Of agriculture the
farmers life was represented rs one of
sunshine and prosperity, whilo here he
had heard very little but the hardships of
tho farmer. lie being farmer, think,
did not attempt to say he had not heard
moro truth than fiction. EIo thought
trades unions had rather been an injury
than a benefit. In speaking of monopolics
said that men and animals in some re-
spects were much alike ,i.c., the shrewdest
and strongest would rise while the weaker
would 60 to the wall q am not aware that
he mentioned it was necessary sometimes
to restrain those that were wont to push
with their horns to the injury of the hord.)
Thought rogues were not all confined to
monopolists and spectators, as packages
in the hands Of commission merchants
clearly showed,as for instance threo inches
of clear salt in the bottom of n tub of but
ter, barrels Of beans, one-half hand picked
the remainder culls, etc., direct from the
producer. He was aware there was
trouble, but with his present knowledge
if he were given the power of the Creator
would not really know iust.what to do to
remedy the evil. He gave us some very
good suggestions for thought.
/ concluded he thought best to lot the
matter stand about as It is and take the
chances. / must beg to differ n little on