Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-12-09
The National Farmers Congress.

LlNtOlN, NOV. "a. - ne tWelita I'M
nual session OF the National Farmers
congress assembled at Lincoln with
about 100 delegates present at the
opening session. The OBJECT of the
congress- as stated by one Of the lead
ing delegates, Is Ito advance and
build up the agricultural interest OF
the nation, giving it the recognition
that its importance demands. 1t is
non political, and this accounts, in n
measure. for its success before our ma
tional congress in securing the passage
OF such important measures as the in
terstate commerce law, the enlarge
ment OF the signal service. the making
OF the secretary OF agriculture cabi-
net officer, aside from the prominence
given to various other questions re-
lating to monopoles. trusts, combina-
tions. unjust Determinations etc.
The forenoon's program consisted
chiefly OF addresses OF welcome by
prominent Nebraskans and responses
by leading members from the several
parts of the Union. Inc first welcome
extended was by Governor Boyd on be-
half OF the state at large.
In the absence OF President Smith
the duty of responding to Governor
Boyd's welcome fell upon W. Pope
Yeaman of Missouri.
Mayor A. II. Weir. on behalf OF the
city OF Lincoln. followed Mr.. Yeaman
in brief address OF welcome.
Mr.. Yeaman, OF Missouri. in his ad-
dress. said:
1.-The theme. as assigned to me"
said the speaker, lis Interdependence
OF Agriculture and Transportation. ,
This is a universal law OF nature. The
factors OF motion, energy, force and
power are go correlated that there is
between them mutual dependence
human society exists by operations OF
the same law. One vocation is largely
dependent upon another. The pros
perity of one is contribution to the
success of others. The city is depend
ent upon the country and the country,
in a measure, upon the city. Whether
social progress DE by evolution, through
self-acting forces OF inherent energy
or by artificial agencies the truth re-
mains the same that progress in any
one line depends upon advancement
in some one or more of other actual
and essetial factors .of. progressive
force"
Colonel Yeaman then entered upon
a discussion OF the importance OF az
riculture. after which he said: lit
would seem that simple sense of
justice and common fairness would
suggest that agriculture ought to be
the most remunerative and influential
pursuit of civilized life, but it is mani
testify not so. As rule the farmer is
the poorest paid and least influential
OF any of the divisions of active and
progressive life. | am not prepared
to say. however that the farmer cam
not live as comfortably and intelli-
gently without our immense system of
| trans portation as with it. 1t Is dem
straoly certain. from the testimony
OF our own history as people, that
the farmer can get on in the world
without our present mammoth carry
| ing trade; but the question is. could
the world get along without it? Grant
, ing a negative answer to that question
IL
Should not transportation be so con-
, Quoted as to assure more equitable
distribution OF profits between these
two essential factorsp II condition
of mutual help and equitable princi-
pies cannot be effected by conference
and agreement between the interde-
pendent factors OF a system. then it is
the duty OF society Represented in leg
islatures to adjust the relation OF its
own agencies in its own interests.
Can an interstate commerce COM
mission bring about equilibrium? 1t
has not done so yet Perhaps further
experience and lamentations OF the law
defining and regulating the duties of
that commission might bring some re-
lief. 1t might be wise for the
/ Farmers congress to raise a COM
mission 10 examine into the law and
methods OF the interstate commission
| and report its conclusions to this body
Evidently there are some defects in
the statutes relating to that commits
! sion. What we need in the way of
! legislative interference or government
relief from the wrongs OF transporta-
ton is the improvement OF our water
ways and haroors. II the arabic land
still held by the government and
lands granted to and forfeited by open
! throated corporations. are recovered
7 ana all sold TO actual settlers Mt fair
! prices and the proceeds of such sales.
/ with such additional appropriations
as might be made possible from gen.
eral revenues by shutting down on big
steals and the modification of reckless
pension laws, applied to the improve.
ment OF rivers and harbors. transport.
alton could be so cheapened by legiti-
mate competition as to leave a little
wider margin to the producers OF the
world sustenation.
At the conclusion OF the address.
which was roundly applauded. Mrs.
Lou Chester OF Indianola. Ia, favored
the assembly with recitation entitled
''The Fashionable School Girl" NJ.
! a. Lunn's address on 1.-The Beet Su
/ gar Industry OF the United States
came next. 1t was interesting, n:
well as instructive. and left no doub
upon the minds OF the delegates as Il
! the vast importance OF our beet sugar
| interests. His conclusions were tina
beet culture is bound TO be one OF the
leading and most profitable avocationi
: OF the western farmer.
| The Farmers Congress.
| LINCOLN. Neo., Nov. 25.-1he fore