Wichita eagle., 1888-12-12

Success,
The Farmers convention called for the
( purpose of discussion new methods and
new seeds TO be used n the pursuit of ag-
riculture by the farming communities OF
southwest Kansas and which convened
in the board of trade hall yesterday at II
/ a. IN. was in every respect a great success,
not only in point of numbers aud interest,
| but also in the feeling established, the In
formation CLEANED from an interchange OF
7 ideas,and theigood dtoIresult.from this.begin-
ming of what promises to become an asso-
citation for the dissemination of much good
I information. As this city of all cities in
( this country, is one which primarily de-
pend upon the success OF the farming and
agricultural pursuits, Wichita was the
/ proper city to hold such an initial conven-
/ ton That such convention struck a
/ popular chord in the breast of the farm
ers of southwest Kansas was
plainly evidenced by the earnest and intel
ligent body of representative farmers OF
southwestern Kansas who gathered here
Z Yesterday TO the number Of nearly three
hundred to discuss these momentous ques-
tions and awaken d spirit of investigation
which will ere long revOlutionize the char
acter of farming in the south and west por-
| tions of Kansas
The trains Monday and Monday night
brought in a large number of delegates,
but by far the largest number of delegates
arrived on the morning trains. Arrange
ments had been perfected so that by pro-
curing certificates from the secretary OF
the convention, stating that the party
named had attended as Il delegate, such
delegate could get return ticket for one
third fare on the line over which he came.
Wichita's hotels had also made reduced
rates charging delegates only one-half.
MORNING SESSION.
The convention was called to order at IL
a. m, sharp. by Mr.. g. H. Blackwelder,
vice-president of the board of trade of
this city, who announced that the first
thing in order would be an address by Hon.
George ". Clement, secretary of the
board of trade, explaining the object of the
call and rendering the delegates a cordial
welcome to Wichita.
Mr.. Clement began by saying, in sub
stance, that the purpose for which the
convention had been called was to bring
together the farmers of southern Kansas
for an interchange of ideas. Wichita had
been severely criticised by some of the
press of the state, who impugned to Wich-
ita selfish motives in calling the same.
They said she only did it as an advertising
dodge, as a scheme by which to
get the money which the delegates
might spend among her hotels and
business men. This he said he wanted to
deny at the very outset. As an evidence
of the fact that Wichita's motives We're
not mercenary, he cited the circumstance
that the hotels were only charging ac-
credited delegates one-half rates.
I'VE are here" said Mr.. c. Ito build i'll
the southwest a large city and make a
market for your farming products. You
farmers of southwestern Kansas hold in
your hands the germ of mighty empire,
and it lies in your power TO stifie this germ
or TO cause it to grow. Whatever diff
culties there are may be overcome.
He said that Wichita admits the general
proposition that corn is king and as
an evidence of the faith which Wichita
has in that proposition, he cited the fact
that within the past twelve months. she
has given no less than Si00, 600 to secure
enormous institution to utilize
the products of corn That. he thought,
was sufficient evidence of her faith.
We want you to furnish the hogs and cat
tie and our packers Will pay you prices
that will make you more profit than you
can obtain by shipping to Kansas City.
We want you TO raise sorghum and erect
sugar mills. We here in Wichita will
erect a mammoth sugar refinery to handle
the products Of your works. We viii erect
silk mills in which to utilize the silk CO.
cOous which the farmers of southern Kan
sas may raise Here to will we erect wool
en- mills at no distant day to manufacture
the fieeces you raise upon your sheep"
The people of Wichita were to listen to
the farmers OF southern Kansas. How
ever he thought that if anyone had
right to talk 20 farmers he had, as he was
a practical farmer in northern Ohio for
eighteen years In his opinion. IF the
farmers of Kansas will work as hard as
those of northern Ohio and New England,
Imagination cannot portray what
may lie the results. applause and cries
of hear, hearl Labor tells everywhere
and better in Kansas than in almost any
other section of the country.
The speaker urged the formation of
Farmers Institutes all over the state for
the purpose of exchanging ideas. The
present convention, he thought should for
the nucleus for permanent association.
He did not believe that the conventions
should always be held in Wichita. There
were plenty OF other good cities in south
ern Kansas. Wichita had no desire to
monopoIize these conventions. What she
wanted was the welfare of southern Kan
sas and this would be her reward. She
has no malice toward any. He wanted TO
hear free discussion of all topics in this
convention.
Mr.. Clement concluded his remarks
amid applause, by thanking the conven-
ton. welcoming the delegates TO the city
and also extending to all sn invitation to
visit the great DoId Packing House, free
transportation having been rendered by
the City Street Railway company. lAp-
piause
Mr.. BIackwelder stated ehat the selection
Of a temporary chairman was next in
order
Mr. L. C. Miller. Of Pratt county, placed
Mr.. Daniel Winters, of Haviland, kiowa
county, in nomination and MIR. Winters
was unanimously chosen.
Upon being introduced the chairman
returned his thanks te the convention and