Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-07-28

may De regarded as ef1lCient Wtnln
the towns and cities they are as gen.
eral rule not so in the country dis
tricts.
The consequence is that we must
send our children away :rom home
or deny them those privileges of an
education that should be regarded as
the just and in alienable right OF every
child.
The expense of doing this is so great
that large majority of farmers can
not in justice TO other requirements
afford it.
Therefore they must, whether will
ling or not, see their beloved children
passing from the golden moments of
childhood to mature age unaccompa-
MED by that priceless boon that is cal
culated more than all else to enlighten
and make pleasant the toilsome Jour-
ney of life.
The old and very erroneous idea
existing among some persons to the
effect that education is not neees-
sary adjunct to successful farming,
and that farmers children who expect
to remain upon the farm need no fur
ther education than that which ena-
bles them to read and write and cipher
to the single rule of three, is terribly
wrong one.
Whilst | am willing to admit. that
any ordinary person can handle the
shovel or hoe and perhaps hang ON to
the handles of a pillow, / do say en-
phatically that it requires more good,
sound, practical sense, maturer Judg-
ment and more serious thought to
properly fill the position of a first
| class, successful farmer than any other
trade or profession under the sun.
By experience derived through oc-
cupying various other business posi-
tions, as well as that of farmer, l
have learned the fact; that whilst we
may in a short while or during few
years at most, become properly posted
as regards other trades or professions
it takes a life time to graduate on
farming, and then we die leaving
much unlearned.
Up to the time that | became far
mer claimed for myself a reasona-
BILE proportion of money making bust
ness sense, sufficient at least for all
necessary purposes; but very soon
after a little agricultural experience
| that delusion vanished like mist before
the MONDAY sun.
So upon the whole, after a thorough
consideration of the matter, | have
come to the conclusion that the old
fogy notion of educating the smartest
and brightest of our boys for mer
chants, doctors, preachers and lawyers
and leaving the dull ones to groOp
their way in darkness upon the farm,
is all very serious mistake. In fact,
it is all the worst kind of "bosh."
| Ii possessed and controlled dOZ-
en- or more boys and wished to dis
tribute them among the various trades
and professions, | would select the
brightest and most intelligent ones for
farmers and mechanics, and advise
the others to try-medicine or law,
and if they could not succeed at these,
then l would say look out for judge
| ship or run for the legislature.
DIR. n L. Northington was made tenn
porary chairman. He thanked the
convention for the honor conferred
and made graceful and appropriate
address.
The members of the city press pres
ent were requested to act as temporary
secretaries.
On motion of Jno. b. Ferguson, a
committee of five was appointed to
determine who should be members of
the Association. Committee-Jno. B,
Ferguson, C. P. Warfeld, w. III. Kille-
brew, Griffin Orgain and r. HI. Nc
Fall.
While waiting for a report from
this committee Judge w. A. Quarles
made a short and pleasing speech in
response to loud calls.
The committee made the following
report:
Your committee recommend the
adoption of section 4, article ~ of the
State Farmers Association as regulat-
ing who shall and who shall not be
members of this association. And do
further recommend that every man
present who is eligible according to
article ~ come forward to the secre-
tary's desk and give in his name and
residence, such act to constitute each IA
member of this association.
Esq, Organ said he thought that
those engaged in other callings, but
interested in agriculture should be ell
ligible to membership. Esq. Burchett
asked if it Was expected that all farm
ers should register their names before
becoming members. Mr.. Ferguson
thought that every farmer, by virtue
of his calling was member. On mo-
ton of Mr.. NJ. V. Ingram the report
was adopted.
Following is section 4, of article w
referred to in the report: "All farm
ers, or those who are more interested
in farming than in any other profess
sion, vocation or calling, whether ap-
pointed as delegates or not, should be
entitled to a seat in this association, to
vote on all questions, to act as COM
mittees, and to participate in the pro-
ceedings."
The chair requested all farmers
present who desired to join the associ-
alton to come forward and enter their
names, and thirty-seven of the best
known agricultuaists living in various
parts of the county responded 10 the
call.
The election of a president of the
Association followed and Mr.. C.. P.
Warfield was chosen for the posi-
ton, Esq. G. III. Slaughter and DIR.
N. l.. Northington were both plac-
ed in nomination. The former de-
clined on account of his deafness
and the latter said his professional
duties would interfere with a proper
attention to the Office.
Mr.. M. V. Ingram was elected
secretary and Esqr. B. r. Burchett,
treasurer.
The following executive commit
tee was appointed Messrs. &. Ii.
Slaughter, t. l.. Mabry, IL. r. Rog-
ers, Griffin Org lin, J. X. Rsmey,
w. p. Johnson, and L. J. Swift.
The 1st Monday in September