The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-04-23
The Farmers, Convention.

! Julian Pratt, assistant secretary. Alter
the formal opening with prayer by Rev.
DR.. Hoge, and a brief address by Maj.
Ko:ner, Gov Cameron was introduced,
and in brief and appropriate terms well
coined the delegates to the city.
On the second day of the Convention
some 200 delegates We're present and a
I plan Of permanent organization effected
us follows:
/ Article I.-Electice franchise
Every citizen of the State OF Virginia
engaged in farming shall be entitled to
vote as hereinafter provided.
Article u.-Erecutice Department.
Section /. The Executive Department
shall consist Of a State Executive Com-
mittee, composed of two members from
! each congressional district in the State.
The first Executive Committee shall be
selected by tire delegates to this Conyen-
! ton from each congressional district, and
such committee shall serve until the first
meeting OF the Farmers Assembly here
matter provided for and after the meet
ing 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 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 recommends
tions of the Farmers Assembly.
Section 3. 1t shall be the duty of the
State Executive Committee to designate -
farmer in each county to hold an election
for county committee, and should the
farmers OF any county fail to elect com
mlttee, then it shall be the duty of the
State Executive Committee to appoint an
| executive committee for said county,
Article LII.-Le9islotire Department.
Section /. The Legislative Department
shall consist of twice the number of dele
gates III the lower branch of the General
Assembly, except where two or more
counties constitute one electoral district,
III 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 ,. Any person may be elected
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 as
SemDle at the court-h0uSes Of their re-
spectlye counties at the July or August
term OF the County Court, as the County
Committee Of each county may direct. of
each alternate year. and the voters of each
maglsterial 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 appoint
delegates for the county to the Farmers
Assembly Provided, however, that the
members of the County Executive Com
mittee OF any magisterial district or ward
as aforesaid may, upon ten days notice,
call meeting OF the voters of such dis
trlct OF ward at point in such district or
ward to be designated i'll such notice, and
at day prior to said Court day, and
elect two delegates to represent them in
The nominating 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
second Monday in August, at y. M, in
the city OF Richmond, unless otherwise
ordered by the Assembly, and a majority
OF the members shall constitute quorum
for business. A special session of said
Assembly may be called at any time by
majority OF the State Executive Commit
tee.
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 proceeding Judge
OF the election. qualification, and return
OF Its members shall punish them for dis
orderly conduct, and, with the concur
renee Of two-thirds, eXpel q member
Section Z. The Farmers Assembly shall
be clothed with the power and duty OF
considering, adopting, and recommending
to the people OF Virginia and to the legis-
lative and executive departments of the
State government all such measures as
they may deem of interest or benefit to
} the agrlculturists.
Section s. The Farmers Assembly from
and after its first meeting shall elect the
members Of the State Executive Commit
: tee, two of whom shall be taken from each
congressional district.
Section 8. The Farmers Assembly shall
annually elect twelve members to the
Farmers Congress Of the United States.
article IV.-COugaty Organization.
, Section l. There shall be appointed in
the manner hereinbefore directed a county
committee for each county and cityof the
State such committee to be composed OF
e two members from each magisterial dis
5 trlct OF a county and each ward OF a city.
q to hold office for the term of two years.
Section 2. The County Committee shall
: select It's own chairman, and shall have
0 charge OF all executive business pertain
niisbed I INV +b e'o piopoSeo " oe accom-
I respective counties and cities.
: Section 3. 1t shall be the duty OF. the
chairman l Oh the Executive Committee OF
meetings to elect deIegatas fn tb o'gI .me
ers' Assembly, and as such chairman he
! shall furnish to each member a certificate
! VI 1iio eleoslo4.
ecntive Comm1ttaa IF aao 10y VI t,l0
y city to collect, by voluntary contribution
" funds necessary to carry on the business
> o. 1nls o[ganIzaGlon. one malt OF the
ba t,1r S nUe ~ s.,0it 9oHllliSIee Slid
a Committee to be used for pnblishing the
IS proceedings OF the Farmers Assembly anc
y other necessary purposes, The other half t.
p . 70 ha % o,,, oouty u clLs
n objects proposed to be accemnlisbed h,
y this organization.
as oectlOn D. Ii snail be the duty OF tn