St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-11
FARMERS CONGRESS.
Gov. Francis Talks OF Water
Courses and Legislation.

Gov. Francis Talks OF Water
Courses and Legislation.
SEDALIA. No, Nov 1O.-The eleventh
annual session OF the National Farm
ers' congress met here to-day. There
could be no mistake in the character of
the assembly. The place OF meeting
was handsomely decorated with various
agricultural products, SheaYeS of grain,
immense stalks of corn. pumpkins like
barrels and ears of corn as big as ones
arm. There were 200 delegates present,
representing thirty different states.
Secretary Clayton called the congress
to order. and in the absence OF PreSi-
dent Kalb. Vice President A. w. Smith.
of Kansas, presided. He was presented
with a phenOmenally large ear of corn,
TO I've used as gavel.
Gov. Francis delivered the address of
welcome in behalf of the state. After
bidding the delegates welcome. he said
it was emtnently proper that the men
who represented the greatest interest
in the nation should meet and confer
and discuss the best methods to pro-
mote the welfare aud protection of their
interest. Farmers had grievances.
There was 40 doubt OF that. and it was
proper that they should meet and devise
means 10 correct them. Glass legisIa-
ton, he continued, had been one potent
cause of the depression of agricultural
interests. This depression had been OF
long continuance, and it was time now
that the farmer was given recognition
in the councils OF the nation. There
were two great questions. the proper
solution OF which would tend to
aulelIOrate the farmers condition. One
nsa mn pf
water courses, which would furnish
cheap transportation for farm products.
The Missouri river could be improved
at a cost of $50. 600. 900, a tTif1ing sum
compared to the expenditure OF the
billion-dOllaT congress. The other
question was the improvement of the
country roads. which would furnish
good transportation for the small farm
ers 10 their nearest markets.
Vice President A. w. Smith thanked
the governor for his cordial words of
welcome. He agreed with the governor
that the great water courses of
the country should be improved,
in the interest of the farm
er, the manufacturer and the
merchant. Twenty million dollars was
small enough amount TO be devoted 10
the improvement of big river like the
Missouri. He was not alarmed. he said.
at any billion-dOliar congress. He
thanked God that he lived in a country
where the appropriation of billion
dollars by one congress would not bank
ruDt the treasury. The agricultural
interest was the greatest interest of the
nation, and legislation should take it
more into account than il does. Still,
the farmer did not ask for class iegiSla-
ton. 'Fhe affairs of the nation cOlfid
and should be administered without any
elashing of the interests of the farmer
and of the manufacturer.
Mr.. YeamanS believed that the deca-
logue should play an important part in
Politics; he believed an enlightened
conscience should dictate the individual
political beliefs. Under such eOndi-
tons be believed the whole people
would ultimately come to see that
the tariff was tax, and that the
only just tariff was a tariff that
would yield enough revenue for the alb
sOlute needs of the government eco
nOmically administered. BefOrethe con-
vention adjourned for the night the fol-
lowing resolutions were introduced by
Mr.. Wagner. of Illinois. and were unan-
imously adopted:
Whereas the advancement of the interests
! of the farmers of the United States. without
| regard 10 sect. color or religion, has been
| largely promoted By the personal solicitude.
efforts and acts OF our farmer secretary of
agriculture. anu
Whereas. he has shown by his work that
he realizes that the development of the agri-
cultural location is full Of glorious possibili-
ties and that ne determined 10 demonstrate
such and
Whereas, The natural cattle of our coun-