Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-03-10
DOWN TO BUSINESS.
The Cattlemen Laying Them
selves Out to Work.
DOING THINGS WITH A RUSH.
Scoring the Big Four and the
Railroads for
OPPRESSION AND UNFAIRNESS.
The Largest Cattlemen's Convention Ever
Gathered in Texas Now in Session
Report OF the Executive Com
mittee-Sales and Items.

and beast is pronounced characteristic of
this hardy race, whose natures are
broadened through the healthful out
door existence which is part of
their lives Away from home they are
Quick TO understand and reciprocate the
many amenities OF life, and towards the
people Of Fort Worth they entertain none
but the zindliest of feelings and recollect-
tions. All this is pleasant to know and
TO contemplate, first because it is well
for brothers to dwell together in unity,
and second, in the result of the present cat
tlemens' convention, are hourly witnessed
evidences Of the esteem entertained by the
citizens of Fort Worth for the organization
which rejects such great credit upon them
selves in particular, the city which Is
striving 10 properly entertain them.
THE BUSINESS BEGINS.
When the sun arose yesterday morning 1t
found nearly three thousand representative
cattle owners in the city. 1t was the open
ing day OF The sixteenth annual convention
of the Northwest Texas cattle raisers'
association, an event annually looked
forward to with absorbing in
terest by the gentlemen whose
herds wander over the boundless plains
and prairies of the Lone Star state.
Charming weather prevailed, Old Sol shin
ing with 4 warmth and radiance which re-
minded the visitors of the glorious spring
weather of their far-away homes. The
early morning trans brought in many
large GQulJlUudl uClG1dllOL duu buO
several hotel proprietors were called
upon TO exert themselves to the very ut
most il order to care for the guests of the
city.
Early in the morning the blare of the
brass band betokened day of events, and
the center of interest The pro-
prietors had decorated the interior
of the auditorium and stage with
liberal display of the national colors taste
fully arranged about the balcony rail and
boxes, the house was as neat as a pin,
place well worthy to temporarily shelter
the ranchmen and cattle owners of the
state.
OPENING THE CONVENTION.
At II o'clock President A. P. Bush, Jr.,
standing beneath festoen of flags, pendant
from which were the words, Welcome,
Stockmen," raped for order and after
quiet had been secured, introduced his
honor, Mayor J. p. Smith. The mayor
showed an intimate acquaintance with the
needs of the cattlemen, that portion of bis
speech in reference to existing evils of the
traffic, and his suggestions as to how they
might be remedied being especially inter-
esting. He acknowledged the pleasure it
gave him to welcome the delegates TO Fort
Worth, a city whose people realized how
much they were indebted for their past
prosperity and future hopes of COM
mercial greatness to the men who
had honored them with their presence.
he drew some interesting comparisons
regarding the two staple productions of the
state, claiming that statistics and close OBJ
servation had cOnelusively shown that the
exclusive production of raw material guar
lnteed but limited prosperity to the pro-
ducer. This fact was apparent when it
could be demonstrated that but a small
portion OF the Sl000G0 600 annually
paid for cotton remained in the
hands Of the hard working farmers
.h,, ,a7 "a lot In, dr.oyr
ing attention 10 the recently organized
packing interests of Fort Worth he
launched some figures which astonished |
his hearers, claiming that the 100000 !
cattle roaming over the broad prairies of |
Texas averaged but SO per head. whereas |
cattle put in prime condition |
could and had been sold in Chicago at an |
average Of $3.50 each. His idea was that |
the cattlemen could rectify this absolutely |
Unnecessary condition by patronizing home |
pacleries, and encouraging the establish |
rnent of yards within their own territory, |
not only for home consumption,
but for foreign expectation, drawing |
attention to the excellent harbors |
and shipping facilities now lying dormant |
for the want of local or state enterprise.
He predicted that the day was close at
hand when the greater portion of the meat
produced in Texas would find q market
within her own confines. He deprecated |
the shipment of ill-fed cattle, and presented |
figures to prove that the stockmen and
farmers of the state were being imposed
upon by unprincipled middlemen. Texas
should not only raise her own hogs, but
should fatten and cut them up, and all of
this could be done if packerieS like |
those now established at Fort Worth
were encouraged and patronized
The remedy was in the hands of the men to
whom the remarks were addressed. On
the subject Of railroad charges the mayor
made some suggestions from the standpoint
OF lawyer and closed his remarks by again
bidding the delegates to pull the latch
strings of Fort Worth to their hearts con-
tent extending to them the entire freedom
of the city in the broadcast and fullest sense
of the word.
At the conclusion of his address the
mayor gave way to
PRESIDENT BUSH,
who could scarcely find Language in which
to express the thanks Of the association for
the unremitting kindness and continued
oourteSies of the citizens of Fort Worth.
Referring to the many claims of Fort
Worth to commercial and social promi-
hence and the many occasions which the
association had been royalty entertained
here, he said that all her greatness might
best be illustrated by the story of
the man who was positive that
his home was the very center of the
earth. because at nigh noon the sun was
evidence of the fact he HAD for years
watched the sun, and had invariably seen
It rise and set in the same place, to-wit:
east and west of where he resided. He be-
ieved Fort Worth could justly claim supe-
riority in every way, and sincerely hoped |
her advances In all that makes up great
powerful and prosperous community {
would increase as time progressed.
Concluding his address, President Bush !
the first order of business. and {
Assistant Secretary Sherwood read the {
minutes Of the last annual meeting at Dali !
las. At the conclusion of the reading he s
and read the report of the ex- (
scutive committee for the past year The I
following is the full text of the interesting '
document. }
To the Members of the Cattle Raisers' Asso- ,
citation Of Northwestern Texas: !
We, your executive committee for the | +
rear now ending, would most respectfully !,
Isk to submit the following report, cover {
ng the business done by this association .
'ince our last annual meeting: f
We find from the report of the manager h
u the protective and detective department v
hat our inspectors did for the last twelve h
months fna and take and recover for our T
bers cattle TO the number of IS47 head. a
50 head OF which sold in Chicago for. 1851 ~
IS head Of which sold in ST. Louis Tor 2752 2I n