Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-02
THE FARMERS.
TIE FIRST DAY OF TIE CONVENTION
at DANvfLLE.
Virginia and North Carolina Planters In
Conference.-The Speeches and the
Resolutions.



DANvILLE, VA, February l.-Despite
the Indictment weather the Academy Of
Music was we'll flied this morning with
farmers from Virginia and North Caro-
lima TO attend the convention. The body
was called to order at II o'clock by
Major SutherlD. who named Major Fin
ney for temporary chairman and Msior
John b. Anderson for temporary secre-
tary. Prayer was offered by Rev. j. H..
Forbes.
The Tobacco Trade, Chamber OF Com
merce, and citizens generally of DanVllle
were invited 10 seats in the convention.
After a short address Of welcome by
President Talbot, OF the Tobacco
Board Of Trade, a committee Of fourteen
was appointed on permanent organlza-
ton.
While the above committee was ont
Captain Thomas Whitehead, Commits
sioner of Agriculture, being present, was
called to the stage and addressed the con-
ventiOn for a few minutes, cJniining his
remarks to the internal-revenHe tax and
the bill before tue Legislature creating
an agricultural bureau. He contended
that the fact that the farmers Of Virginia
have nothing and get nothing was owing
70 the lack of thorough organization on
their part. He was glad to see this
move, and hoped the farmers would
speak in DO uncertain tone.
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
The Committee on Permanent Or
ganization submitted their report. as
follows: President, John l.. Cunning
ham. Person, \. &. Nice-Presidents-
Thomas :. Harrison, Casweh, \. c.,
w. A. Bass, Halifax, Va. (; ". II. Nor
man, Henry, Va; Thsles G. Penn,
Patrick, Va ]. w. Alverson, Rocking
ham, n. G. Z. T. Anderson, Pittsylya-
MIA, Va. r.. V. Gaines, Charlotte, Va. ;
j. ID. Blair, Danville, Va. Secretary,
John b. Anderson, Ringgold, n. g..
The president is very young man.
but his speech of acceptance showed
him to be well posted rs to the great
needs of the farming classes. lie
touched upon the internal-Tevenue tax
and the tobacco interest OF the two States
and entered largely upon the subject OF
needed immigration.
UNCONDITIONAL REPEAL.
Resolutions as submitted by the COM
mittee declare that the lawmakers OF the
country seem to have singled out the
farmers as special objects of oppressive
legislation and taxation. and respectfully
demand the immediate and uncOndi-
tiOnal repeal of the whole system Of the
internal-revenue law. They deprecate
the formation of trust associations
and other combinations organized TO
control the prices Of agricultural and
other products Of the country favor
creating a department Of agriculture, and
favor amending the interstate com
mcrce law in order that prompt relief
may be afforded communities oppressed
by discriminating rates of railroad mo-
nopolics.
IMMIGRATION.
The fifth resolution declares in favor
of immigration and appeals TO the Le-
gislature OF Virginia to pass such laws
and make such appropriations from the
Treasury az will cnnble the Commissioner
of Agriculture to do all in his power to
induce immigration from the Northwest
to Virginia.
The sixth resolution cOngratulates the
farmers of the two States upon their new
departure in using less commercial fer
tilizers and more of homemade; On
planting small crops of tobacco. thereby
making it good, and on raising COM
modities for home consumption, and
calls on the planters to pursue the same
policy this year, so they can keep more
and spend less abroad.
NIGHT SESSION.
The following resolution, offered at
the night session by j. }. Wilkinson, was
unanimously adopted:
ReSoir,d, That the farmers of Nir-
GINA in this convention earnestly request
the Legs allure now in session TO give to
the agriculturists and their calling their
true position in the State government
and to foster and encourage by adequate
laws and appropriations this great INDUS
try, aud to tins end ask the passage of
House Bill No. lj2, to establish a State
board Of agriculture.