The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-08-21
TILLERS OF THE SOIL
Gather in Convention at New
nan.
Proceeding of the State Agricultural So
ciety-The Address of Welcome-An
Exciting Debate.


Georgia State Agricultural society met in its
semi-annual convention at the opera house,
in Newman, this morning at 9 O'Clock. Presi-
dent w. j. Northern, OF Sparta, called the
meeting to order. There are about 400 dele
gates present, from every part of the state,
and are the most intelligent body which has
ever assembled in this city. The meeting was
opened by prayer by DR.. James Stacy, of the
Presbyterian church, which was specially ap-
propriate
The president announced the death of the
honorable secretary. Colonel Il. c. Grier, of
Macon, and said at the proper time suitable
memorials would be had There being no Sec
rotary elected to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Mr.. Grier, his son Clark Grier was
chosen to discharge the duties of this conven-
ton.
Major w. A. Turner, of Newman, delivered
the address of welcome on the part of the city
of Newman. ,r-.t
Hon. Grigby T. Thomas. of NTuscogee
county, responded to the address of welcome,
and spoke with elaboration and dstnctness
He reviewed the exercises of the last meeting
in February at Waycross, and the addresses
made on the occasion, briefly outlining the
thoughts CLEANED from those well-prepared
essays; spoke of the hospitality of the people
OF Waycross, and the pleasing associa-
tionS formed on that occasion. His adj
edresse was couched in smoothly flowing
language and was well received, eliciting re-
peated applause. He gave a history of agri-
culture, going back to the Augustin age,
showing his extensive researches and fami-
iarity with ancient history. Leaving those
ancient researches, he came suddenly back to
Georgia and traced the rise and progress of tho
agricultural society from their first meeting at
Stone Mountain, Ca, in 1910. where only fifty
members We're assembled said that the society
has grown to numbers.
In 1854 they first obtained their
charter 1t is representative body
1t is not confined, he said,
exclusively to farmers. Said the railroads of
the state, appreciating the influence of this
society, had rendered the delegates with free
passes over their roads. He denounced the
custom of borrowing money of English capt.
talists to run our farms, and kept bowed down
with the burden of mortgages, and appealed
TO the Georgia agriculturistS to
throw OFF the heavy yoke, thus
placed upon them. He referred to the bagging
trust recently formed, and urged the farmers
TO resist such dictation by the monopolists.
This elected loud and continued applause.
Urged the farmers to start up their
own mills, and be independent
OF all trusts and combinations.
BY starting up manufactures to work up
our raw materials we encourage homo indus
tries under the plan enunciated by Henry
Clay, knowna as the American system-indorsed
alliances. The only way to beat one ring is to
form another ring. But recommended noder-
not aliens.
Major L. r.. Ray asked permission to mako
an announcement at the close of Mr.. Thomas's
address, and extended an invitation to the
convention to be present at the laying of the
corner stone of tho Newman cotton mills at
O'clock, which was accepted President
Northen then addressed the convention. on our
system of farming, being a scientific
discussion of the problems of farming. in Geor-
gia. He recommended that the society dis
pense with their spring session. The time has
come, he said which demands cooperation
among farmers. Ridiculed the idea of their
becoming political organization. He advo-
Gated state aid to the society of agriculture.
Advocated protection among the farmers
against all combinations Ridiculed wholesale
| nlercants not selling to farmers at wholesale
prices. Said tho policy of tho govern
ment was against tho farmers; yet
we are cautioned to be quiet and submit
said that the business policy of the merchants
of our country had destroyed our agriculture /;
was opposed to the retail system practiced by
merchants Our business policy must be
changed. Our farmers must become self
sustaining. Advocated clubbing together. 1t
may close, he said, some retail Stores but said
there were too many, anyhow. Said
there was room for them on the farms.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.
The chief interest of the afternoon all CEN
tered on the resolutions of ID. G. Barrow, of
Oglethorpe, moving to change the constitution
OF the society so as to take the power away
from the executive committee OF appointing the
officers of the association. AS there is secre-
tary to be elected it was thought the resolution
was offered in the interest of some particular
candidate, but this Mr. Barrow disclaimed.
The greatest interest was manifested and the
excitement ran high. Mr. Barrow said every
officer in the society was appointed without
the knowledge or consent OF the association.
1t was most exciting and heated controver-
sy. When he claimed that for years the soci-
ETY. could get no itemized report of their finan-
cial condition, how the money had been re-
ceved and paid out, the secrecy and exclu-
siveness with which they manipulated the
whole agricultural society Of the state Of
Georgia, embracing period of over twenty
five years, during which time thousands upon
thousands of dollars had been discussed, the
convention was at q perfect white heat
and the president was unable to preserve order.
A letter was read from Colonel Hardeman,
OF Macon, opposing Mr. Barrow's resolution,
which enthused and stimulated the opposition.
Colonel l.. Il. Livingston, of Covington, deliv
cred thrilling Speech supporting the resolu-
ton, denouncing the committee and the un-
democratic manner of running the concern.
Colonel Adams got the floor and Captain
II. j. Powell, of GAINESVILLE, treasurer of the
society, defended their action and carried the
convention with them, defeating the resolution
of Mr.. Barrow, which won the day for the
present administration.
The Last Days Proceedings.
NEWMAN, Ca, August 15.-[Special. 1.-The
second day rs convention OF the Georgia State
Agricultural society met in the opera house
this morning at 8 o'clock, with President
Northen in the chair.
Hon. j. L. Henderson, commissioner Of ag-
ricuture, read an extensive report on the
workings of his department. The subject was
deliberately treated, well arranged, and read
with distinctiyeness He showed that the cost
of inspecting fertilizers for the last year was
only % cents per ton. That for the past eleven
years the farmers of Georgia had paid into the
state treasury S57l 900 over and above the ex-
penses necessary to inspect and analyze the
fertilizers. lie thought that the fees for in
specting guanos ought to be reduced TO at least
fifteen cents per tom that more fertilizers had
been bought this than any previous season ;
and said the growth Of local manufacturers Of
that staple had sprung up rapidly throughout
the state in the past few years, which had
greatly increased tho expense in his depart
ment. No action was taken on this at present.
ELECTION ofeoFFICERs.
w. j. Eorthen was reelected president; II
a. Nisbet, Of Macon, secretary, and j. o.
Waddell, of Polk, yice-president for the state
ut large. Professor II. g. White was recon-
mended for the chancellorship Of the state
university.