Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-08-23
OHIO FARMERS
Assemble in State Convention at
Columbus,
Adopt Platform of Principles, and Or
gani1o tho Farmers Union of tho
State of ohio"-No Partisanism
In the Movement.

Wnen Jne farmers convention was called
TO order, and in addition to these a num-
Der of spectators were on hand. II. Nc
Intire raped the assembly to order and
introduced w. III. Lawrence, who issued
the call for the convention and who
acted as temporary presiding officer.
Chairman Lawrence stated the object
of the meeting was to unite all the
farmer organizations under one head. 1t
was not in the interest of the Repub-
lican or Democratic party. II had been
said that he had called the meeting be-
cause he had an idea of running for Con-
gress. This was not true. He did not
want any Office. This announcement
was greeted with applause.
The chairman of the committee on
programme reported in favor of Colonel
j. II. Brigham, of Fulton, for chairman;
w. III. Lawrence, of Cleveland, secre-
tary: assistants, John Kreis, of Morrow,
and G.. E. Lawrence, of Marion.
Colonel ]. II. Brigham, on taking the
chair, said he recognized the fact that it
would be impossible to harmonize the
farmers in all things to-day. There are
farmers here from all political parties,
and he was glad to see it. He did not
want any one to throw firebrand in the
meeting out of personal considerations.
He recognized the fact that there were
wide differences of opinion, but the del
egates should bear in mind that they
are here to organize in the interest of
the farmer and to express their views
honestly and candidly. They should
recognize that the few who are becom-
ing rich off the many would like to see
the meeting break up in a row. This
should be avoided and the farmers
ought to go away from here determined
to shape legislation in Ohio in the inter-
ests of the masses. The movement will
extend beyond Ohio, and whatever we
do should be done only after due con-
sideration. The chairman counseled
harmony and unity of action in the pro-
ceedings.
Mr.. Lawrence declining the secretary
ship, A. Mcdonald, of Huron County,
was elected in his stead, and D. L.
Gasllell, of Darke, was added to the list
of assistants.
The Committee on Resolutions was
chosen as follows: First district, T.. c.
Ellis, Hamilton; Third, w. G. Thomp-
son, Warren; Fourth, Isaac Freeman,
Miami; Fifth. T. r. McMillen, Logan;
Sixth, w. +. Walcutt, Fulton; Seventh,
w. ii. Strong, Lucas; Eighth, DIR. Kagy,
Seneca; Ninth, John Courtright, Picka-
away; Tenth, j. w. Oren, Clinton;
Eleventh, C. p. Edwards, Highland;
Twelfth, w. 7. Buckle, Gallia; Thir-
teenth, j. C. II. Cobb, Jackson; Four
teenth, b. +. Swirgle, Muskingum; Fiji
teenth, j. L. CARRIER, Richland; Six
teenth, f. S. Perkins, Medina; Seven
teenth, C. ii. Arrick Belmont; Eigh-
teenth, Bertrand Clark, Carroll; Nine
teenth. T. A. Derthick, Portage; Twen-
tieth, Matthew Crawford, Summit. The
First and Twenty-frst districts were
not repres ented, and the chairman APP
pointed G. Ii. Kent, of Portage, to
represent the Ohio Dairyman's Associa-
tion, and j. L. Reed, of AuglaiZe, to
represent the Farmers Mutual Pro-
tective Association. A canvass of the
committee showed that it contained
eight members of the Grange, six men,
bers OF the Alliance, four members of
the Patrons of Husbandry, and one
member of an institute.
At the afternoon session the following
telegram was received and read:
TOPEKA Kan. August Ia
To Chairman Peoples Convention:
By the unanimous vote OF the people in State
convention assembled, hand offraternal greet.
ing is extended TO our brethren in Ohio and
bid you Godspeed in the grand cause of reform.
The above is signed by the mass con-
vention which is assembled to put an
independent ticket in ihe field in Kan
sas. A suitable reply was sent by this
convention.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
d. r. Smith, secretary of the State
Grange, read the following resolutions,
prepared by the committee, which were
unanimously adopted:
The present depressed condition OF agricul.
ture at time when other industries are un-
usullly prosperous, should awaken apprehen
sion among and arouse them to the Importance
of decisive action
Wa r,,ny II Yer in oniniOn n the causeS
md the remedy from this condition, but we do
not disagree as TO the fact that agriculture is at
present in hard lines and in need OF help.
Every intelligent farmer realizes that it is self
help upon which he must depend.
We no longer hope for reliet so eagerly prom
ised by the politicians before election. We
have little faith in the nostrum offered us by
mere theorists We want some practical meas
ures that will relieve us now. We can not wait.
We have no patience with the scoring GO
ing on at Washington for mere partisan advan
tage
dividual member OF all legislative bodies
strictly responsible for his own acts and votes
The plea of partisan eXigencieS will no longer
have weight with intelligent farmers. Corpor
ations. banks, and syndicates have for years
directed largely the legislation of the country.
Partisan changes work no change in this
spect.
wrested from the hands that earned 1t, manage
still TO have their say, no matter which political
party holds the rens OF power The farmers
have waited long too long, for the fulhllment
election, ana so soon forgotten afterwards
Farmers we must take n new departure. Our
political machines have not been doing our work
In a satisfactory manner. What are we going
TO do about it? Various propositions are under
consideration. 1t is suggested by some that
new machine must be tried; others that
change of drivers is all that is necessary.
We must agree upon one or the other course of
action. The farmer must henceisrth be fac
tor in politics; not the patient burden bearing
ass OF the present, content with an occasional
thistle but wide-awake, intelligent courage
al tim gn nGf
be reached by the formation OF n farmers party
or by making our influence felt in the control OF
existing parties? II is the sense of this conven-
tion that we should first thoroughly test the
latter and hope we shall not be compelled to
resort to the former alternative
There are thousands OF voters who now vote
their party ticket without knowing or asking
why A few shrewd, designing politicians now
direct the policy OF all parties; the masses sim
ply and often blindly ratify ut the polls. Our
aim must be to give direction to the action OF
political parties so as to encourage and protect
the interests of agriculture. Farmers, are you
ready? Have you the courage to fight this bat
tie using that weapon OF mighty power free