The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-27
TIE FARMERS CONGRESS.
A Tariff Debate Reveals the Presence of a
Majority of Protectionists.

ST.. PAUL, Mimi, Aug. 26.--At the Farmers
Congress. this morning T. 5. Coffin. of Fort
Dodge. Ia, read interesting paper on the
Great Governing Power in Fixing Freight
Rates on Railways In America" He. closed by
urging the appointment of q national railroad
commission.
At the close of the address. the committee on
resolutions presented report, which was read
by the secretary Resolutions were adopted
asking Congress to create the Office of Secretary
of Agriculture and to make this officer q
member Of the Presidents Cabinet; they
also ask the extension Of the sig
nal service TO all places reached by
telegraph they request Congress TO regulate
interstate commerce Ia such manner as to pro-
tect the productive industries Of the country;
they recommend an appropriation of $3,0OO.OOO
to stamp out contagious diseases among domestic
animals, anG request the Secretary of State to
instruct the ministers to Germany and France to
use all proper means to prevent restrictions
upon American farm products, properly in
spected and shipped. and urge upon Congress the
necessity of a speedy development OF the system
of waterways, including the Mississippi
river. The resolutions also recommend the
restoration of the wool tariff OF 1867 and the
maintenance of the tariff on rice ana
sugar; that the State legislatures be earnestly
requested to pass laws to prevent what is com.
monty known as dealing In futures; approve OF
the oleomargarine law, and recommend its
strict enforcement The final resolution pro-
vides for the Incorporation urder the laws of
the United States, of the Farmers Congress of
the United States, requesting farmers of each
State to organize farmers assembly, which
shall be entitled to send representatives to the
Farmers National Congress in proportion OF one
delegate for each United States Senator and
Representative in Congress from that State.
Two propositions-one to adopt the Cullom
interstate bill, and the other to adopt the Rea-
gan bl-were postponed
During the discussion of the tariff resolution
the speeches took wide range. aud it was gen.
orally treated question of protection against
free trade. The protection sentiment was decid-
eddy In the ascendant, and when the vote was
announced in favor of the resolutions as amend
ed. there was much applause.
At the afternoon session q lively discussion
took place on a resolution recommending restor-
alton of the wool tariff Of 1867, amended to in
clude sugar and rice The vote was--yeas 1862
nays. 1161-tEe Southern delegates voted solidly
No. The congress Endorsed the eomargarine
bill. and urged that glucose be placed on the
same footing. 1t also favored the creation of q
new Cabinet ros::..::ca. with a department of ag-
riculture 1t was decided to hold the next meet
ing at Chicago on the first Tuesday before the
opening of the fat-stock show of 1887 The
members of the congress will leave to morrow
via Manitoba for an excursion to Crookstone,
Grand Forks. Fargo and Moorehead. The con-
gress will conclude with brief session on Mon
day morning.