Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-17


persons to fence in their own stock and
keep them on their own premises. The
introduction of this resolution was re-
ceiyed with applause. 1t was referred
to the proper committee.
The following resolutions were Of
fered and referred:
Resolred, That the Agricultural De-
partment should be fostered by the
General Government, and that Con-
gress should appropriate the necessary
funds therefor.
Resolred, That the public lands
should be kept as sacred trust and
only sold to actual settlers and citizens
in moderate quantities.
Resolred, That our representatives
in Congress be requested to secure to
the people Of Virginia the full benefit
of the Signal Service.
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
The following is the plan Of organi-
zation agreed upon:
Arficle I.-Electire Franchise.
Every citizen of the State of Virginia
engaged in farming shall be entitled to
vote as hereinafter provided.
Articie U.-Erecutire Department.
Section /. The Executive Department
shall consist of State Executive Com
mittee, composed of two members from
each congressional district in the State.
The first Executive Committee shall
be selected by the delegates to this Con-
vention from each congressional dis
trict, and such committee shall serve
until the first meeting of the Farmers
Assembly hereinafter provided for /; and
after the meeting Of that Assembly the
said committee shall be chosen by said
Assembly and shall hold office for two
years. And the said State Executive
Committee shall have power to appoint
a secretary and treasurer (who may be
one person. and to prescribe the duties
OF these officers.
Section .. 1t shall be the duty of the
State Executive Committee to carry
into effect the suggestions and recon-
mendations of the Farmers Assembly.
Section 3. 1t shall be the duty of the
State Executive Committee to designate
a farmer in each county to hold an cleo
tion for county committee, and should
the farmers of any county fail to elect
a committee, then it shall be the duty
Of the State Executive Committee to
appoint an executive committee for said
county.
ArtieleHL-Legislatire Department.
Section |. The Legislative Depart
ment shall consist Of twice the number
of delegates in the lower branch of the
General Assembly, except where two
or more counties constitute one electoral
district, in which case each Of said
counties shall send to this Assembly
one delegate. This Assembly shall be
called The Farmers Assembly Of the
State of Virginia.
Section 2. Any person may be elected
a delegate to the Farmers Assembly
who is a qualified voter under the first
article Of this constitution.
Section 3. All qualified voters under
the first article of this constitution may
assemble at the cOurt-houses of their
respective counties at the July or Au-
gust term of the County Court, as the
County Committee Of each county may
direct, Of each alternate year, and the
voters of each magisterial district Of a
county or ward of a city or town,
shall assemble by districts and wards,
and select two delegates for each
district or ward. Such delegates
shall Immediately assemble and ap-
point delegates for the county to the
Farmers Assembly: Provided, how
ever, that the members of the County
Executive Committee of any magisterial
district or ward as aforesaid may, upon
ten days notice, call a meeting of the
voters Of such district or ward at a point
in such district or ward to be designated
in such notice, and at day prior to
said County Court day, and elect two
delegates TO represent them in the nomi-
mating county convention.
Section 4. The delegates to the Farm
ers' Assembly shall hold Office for the
term of two years.
Section 5. The Farmers Assembly
shall meet annually on the Tuesday
after the setond Monday il August, at
s p. NJ, in the city of Richmond, unless
otherwise ordered by the Assembly.
and majority of the members shall
constitute quorum for business. \
special session of said Assembly may
be called at any time by majority OF
the State Executive Committee.
Section 6. The Farmers Assembly
shall choose its own presiding officer
and such other officers as it may deem
expedient, settle its own rules Of pro-
ceeding, judge of the election. qualifica-
tion, and return of its members shall
punish them for disorderly conduct,
and, with the concurrence Of two thirds,
expel member.
Section 7. The Farmers Assembly
shall be clothed with the power and
duty of considering, adopting. and re-
commencing to the people of Virginia
and to the legislative and executive de-
partments Of the State government all
such measures as they may deem of in
terest or benefit to the agriculturists.
Section s. The Farmers Assembly
from and after its first meeting shall
elect the members Of the State Execu-
tive Committee, two Of whom shall be
taken from each congressional district.
Section Q. The Farmers Assembly
shall annually elect twelve members to
the Farmers Congress Of the United
States.
Article IV.-County Organization.
Section /. There shall be appointed
in the manner hereinbefore directed a
county committee for each county and