Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-05-10
FARMERS. TRUST.
Meeting OF Delegates at TOpeka-Another
Convention Called For November 5.

the opening of the Farmers Trust conven-
! ton yesterday afternoon, and great inter
est was manifested by all present
Prayer was offered by Rev. DR.. Atkin-
son, OF Ottawa, and was followed by an
| address of welcome by Judge Peffer, OF
| the KdMsds Farmer. Colonel William Crum.
! president of the Indiana State Board of
| Agriculture, was chosen temporary chair
man, and J. B. Ferguson, Of Merlden, Kan,
| secretary, and the following committee on
| permanent organization was appointed:
Robert Atkinson, William SIMS, w. w.
Jones, G. R. Roberts and o. Chacy.
The committee reported the following
| officers: President Ex-Governor David Z.
Butler, or Nebraska; vice president, Cleve-
land F. Moulton, of Missouri; secretary, J.
| B. Ferguson, of Kansas. Governor Butler
upon taking the chair said: ave have
| several great organizations to-day, each
| established for the purpose OF creating
higher standard for its members. There
| is no one so insane as TO believe that the
Grange, the Farmers Alliance, the
] Knights of Labor, and the kindred orders
| were organized for other than salutary
| purposes. II had the power would en-
act penal statute prohibiting any farmer
| from working more than eight hours
day. II farmers would use their brains
more and their muscles less it would be far
better for them. They would certainly
have more time to become acquainted with
! their families"
The speaker dwelt at length upon the
great wrong done the farmers, which arose
! from the unholy legislation enacted at
| Washiugto whereby the Golfers OF ''those
| Shylocks, the railroad magnates Of the
country" were filled, and one man alone
was permitted to own three-hundredth
part OF the wealth OF the whole country.
! Ex-Governor George W. Click was called
for, and made speech which excited Hon.
| w. NJ. Allen and caused some Dproar.
Quiet was restored by the president.
The committee on resolutions reported
as follows:
WHEREAS, Agriculture being a pursuit in
| which the prosperity of the individual follow
] ing it must conduce TO the welfare OF the COM
munity at large, it should be regarded as of an
importance and dignity beyond all others
| WHEREAS, In ostensibly free country.
| large amount OF land occupied by The working
farmer is falling under the control of capitalists
not from any want of industry on the part OF
the occupant of the soil, but for the want of
fair remuneration for the product of his labor,
and,
WHEREAS, The low price at which he is
obliged TO furnish his products Is attended with
no corresponding benefit to the consumer,
based excessive production of the wants
of all the community, but is the result of de-
preston produced arti6cially by combinations
of capitalists having regard TO the law OF
supply and demand, and
WHEREAS, We not with safety longer
evade the vital Importance involved in the ques-
tion OF protection TO this great interest,
longer remain submissive to the encroachments
of powerful combinations formed TO control our
products and to hold US in the defenceless posi-
ton we now occupy; and,
WHEREAS, Legislation has furnished no ade-
quate remedy for these evils. Be it
ResoLced. That such measures be taken
shall establish q lawful and just organization
that shall have the power to adjust the prices
of farm products in harmony with the supply
and demand, remunerative to the farmer and
reasonable 10 the consumer.
ResoLUed That we proceed at once to q per-
manent organization, TO which invite the
earnest, hearty and practical cooperation OF
every producer and consumer in the land hav-
ing for its object the protection of the farmers,
stock growers and feeders interests; the object
OF which shall be the controlling OF shipments
OF the agricultural products by a system of
central and shipping agencies, TO be appointed
by the president OF this association; and that
this convention at once proceed to elect the
president, vce-president and treasurer, who
are hereby instructed to secure a charter, in
GLIDING charter member from each State and
Territory of the Mississippi valley, with ade-
Quate and ample capital.
ResoLOed, That this convention extend to
Walter N. Allen our thanks, and that we unani-
mously ask him to accept the presidency and
general management of the proposed organiza-
ton.
ton of the resolutions was expressed and
lengthy discussion followed. 1t was the
sentiment of a large percentage Of the del
egates that more time should be taken to
consider so important a measure, and re-
suited in the adjournment of the convention
until evening.
At the evening session speeches were
made by Judge Bailey, Of Garden City, S.
I. K. Price, of Illinois, and JOB Mulvane
and Judge PETER of Topeka, Judge Bailey
arguing for the immediate adoption of the
resolutions received at the afternoon ses-
sion, and the others advocating the post
ponement of further action for several
months so that the movement might be
carefully considered. Judge Moul-
ton, OF Bates County, Missouri,
said he had been dee ply impressed with
the arguments used against hasty action,
and he believed they were right His re-
marks carried more conviction with them
and the result was that the convention
unanimously indorsed the resolutions in
the main offered in the afternoon, which
embodied the scheme OF the Farmers
Trust movement, and resolved that the
whole matter should be referred to COM
mittee consisting OF one member from
each of the States represented, except
Kansas, which should be represented by
two members.
The members appointed were: For Kan
sas, Walter N. Allen and w. A. PETER;
Illinois, s. 7. &. Prime; Nebraska, DAVID
Butler; Missouri, Cleveland F. Moulton
Indiana, William Grim; Iowa Henry Wal
lace. The meeting of the committee will
be held July 5 in Topeka 10 formulate con |
stitution and bylaws of the Farmers |
Trust, which is to report at general meet |
ing of the farmers OF the Mississippi Valley |
States to be held at Topeka, Tuesday, No |
vember s.
The committee was also instructed to ex-
tend an invitation to every agricultural or |
ganization within the Northwestern States |
and Territories TO send one delegate TO the |
meeting in November. and resolution was |
adopted requesting the Governors OF the |
States and Terr1f0ries named To anrnoinf |