The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-27
FLORIDA FRUIT GROWERS.
The Sentiment Unanimous for a Duty
of 81 Box on Foreign Oranges.

The Sentiment Unanimous for a Duty
of 81 Box on Foreign Oranges.
Pursuant TO a call of President George
W. Wilson, of the Semi-Tropical Associ-
alton, a mass meeting Of tho fruit growers
Of Florida assembled in the exposition build
ing at Ocala Tuesday for the purpose of
considering the subject of foreign competi-
ton in the marketing of oranges
The following memorial was presented:
1.-THE growers Of citrus fruits in the state
Of Florida, represented in convention by
the farmers alliance of the state of Florida.
the farmers alliance exchange, the fruit
growers union, the Florida Fruit Exchange,
the Horticultural Society of Florida, the
Florida Orange and Vegetable Auction
Company, AID other associations composed
of fruit-growers, and. also, of the railway
and transportation companies, and their
connections, respectfully memorabilia the
congress of the United States, and urge
upon their attention that the present
duty on citrus fruits is insufficient
to give the protection necessary to
encourage the production of these fruits in
the states of the union in which this in
dustry exists; moreover, produce but a
small amount Of revenue, and we respect
fully urge and ask that such duty should
be advanced to a special rate Of so cents per
cubic foot, or 81 per box of ~ cubic feet.
Therefore,
RESOLVED. That committee Of eighteen be
appointed as representatives of this body, who
shall be entrusted with the furtherance of the
objects proposed
ResoIUed That committee of eighteen be
appointed as representatives of this body, who
shall be entrusted with the furtherance of the
objects proposed in the memorial who shall
select subcommittee from that number to go
TO Washington TO present this memorial to both
houses of congress
RESOLVED, That the said committee meet in
Jacksonville on the first day Of March to begin
their WORK; that an additional committee of
fifteen be appointed to at once canvass the
state and generally promote the objects of this
meeting, inaugurate such measures as may be
deemed most advantageous to the cause here
advocated.
This report was signed by the committee
as follows: r. f. Rogers, president State
Farmers Alliance; j. G. McKibbin, presi-
dent Orange Growers Union; d. Greenleaf,
vice-president Florida Fruit Exchange; A.
S. Mann, president Florida Orange and
Vegetable Auction Company and member
of the Alliance exchange; j. N. Strobhar,
Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West rail-
way; A. Martin, East Tennessee Virginia
and Georgia railway and Florida Central
and PENN 'ular railroad; and by the COM
mittee at large, George w. Wilson, j. E.
Hartridge, j. H. Webb. J. A. Harris,
Hamilton Disston, H. NJ. Flagler, F. A. c..
Bielby, G. 2. Healy, John F. Dunn, M. II.
Mabry, j. A. Leslie.
In submitting the report of the commit
tee Maj. Fairbanks took occasion to call at
tentlon to the peculiar adaptability of our
climate to the citrus fruits. Up TO a recent
date ali the citrus fruits consumed by the
country were brought here from foreign
countries, they sold high and were Of poor
quality. Since cheaper and more speedy
transportation, organization, etc, had
enabled Florida to place her fruit on the
market of the country, it had been
good, abundant and cheap. "After
all our work, outlay and patience, "
said Maj. Fairbanks latter extend
ing our groves until we are able to supply
the demand of the country, foreign compe-
tition comes in unexpectedly and uncourted,
and bears our markets, and all lose. This
condition ought not to exist if we do our
duty. 1t is no new thing we ask-simply
an increase of tariff now existing, but IN
adequate-a tarifflindorsed by both parties.
included In both the Mills and the Senate
bills" He called attention to the helpless
condition the growers would be in if the
would happen if the present conditions CON
tinue, as the people of Florida have no other
| staple to fall back upon.
At the conclusion of the session it was
| found that 81 ,625 had been raised in few
| moments, and more was promised.
The subscription list is as follows: A s.
| Mann, 500; George w. Wilson, 500; John
| f. Dunn, 500; J. A. Harris, 500; Gen
| Tilton, 500; A. l.. Eichelberger, 800; G.
z. Healy, $1,000; the Dispatch, Farmer
| and Fruit GTOOer, $25. Total, 81, 625.