The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-13
SONS OF CERES MEET.
THEEATIONAEFARMERS RS CONGRESS
COSTENEs IN NSAVAsSAH.
Addresses Of Weleome aud the Responses
The Work Before the Body Outlined.
Many States Represented,

SAVANNAH. GA, Dec. l2.-The Nation
al Farmers Congress began its thirteenth
| annual congress here at noon to-day.
Very few delegates have arrived, and
| when the congress assembled less than
fifty were present. President Smith, of
Kansas. is absent. and Nice-President
ID. G. PusO. Of Georgia, presided. Hon.
p. W. Meldrim. of Savannah, in behalf
OF the Governor Of Georgia, welcomed the
delegates to the State. Judge c. h. Rounds,
OF Maine responded to the welcome. The
address OF welcome in behalf OF the
State Agricultural Society was made by
j. 4. Wade, of Georgia, in the absence OK
President Waddell
what the Farmer Needs.
Hon. Daniel Needham, President OF the
New England Agricultural Society. re-
sponded to the welcome by the Agricultu-
rists.
In his address Col. Needham touched
upon various matters one OF which was
the educational question. The great under
lying principle Of agricultural knowledge
is the public school. The great underlying
principle Of civilization is universal
education. 1t Is the individuality
of our people that maintains the civili-
Zation of the American government They
talk about restless people. We are restless,
and through that spirit, we have been able
to poulate and dominate this country.
II is the restiessness Of this people that
has given us all our enterprise IT is this
that has given them better homes better
schools, and better opportunities than their
fathers had.
Col Needham spoke Of the fact that the
agriculturist was the only person who
never accepted a free pass from a rail
road. He said all they wanted from n
railroad was the lowest fares that they
could give, consistent with fair pront
for the owner and a chance TO call on
them for damrges in case Of necessity.
The Work Before the Body.
The mayor Of Savannah welcomed the
delegates TO the city. Hon B. +. Clayton
secretary of the congress, in his response.
outlined the work before it, 1--WE have
met here to-day to discuss as best we can
the agricultural question. We don't want
10 ask from Congress any class OF legis-
lation. We do no not want such legis-
iation. but We do want legislation such as
we need. and such as will benefit us. We
are here for work. and we intend 20 do it,"
The following States were found 10 have
delegates in attendance. Alabama.
Georgia, Florida. Illinois, Indiana. Iowa.
Maine. Massachusetts. Michigan Missis-
sippi. Kansas. Nebraska, North Carolina.
South Carolina. Pennsylvania. Rhode
Island. Tennessee, Vermont. Virginia,
and West Virginia.
Secretary Clayton moved that an the
delegates on the lists sent ONT by the
Governors Of the different States. and
also those holding proxies be entitled 10
seats I'm order to fill out the lists from
some OF the States. If there We're any
such persons or delegates present The
motion was adopted.
Conl1rii,fes on Resolutions.
Vice-Presldent Purse then announced
the committees Of the Convention The
Committee on Resolutions is as follows:
II. s. Lane Alabama; f.. A. Appleyard
Florida: T.. G. Wagner. Illinois; W. II.
Weaver. Indiana: G.. Baylor. Iowa: Judge
G. b. Rouse. Maine; Colonel Daniel Need
ham, Massachusetts,: General Burkett.
Mississippi; Mrs. NJ. VI. Code Nebraska;
John S. Cunningham, North Carolina:
r. j. Cunningham South Carolina Or.
G. W Spencer. Pennsylvania George 4.
Stockwell. Rhode Island; c. G. Taliaferro.
Virginia: y. Z. Thompson, Michigan: r..
II. Browse. West Virginia; 7. W. Oliver.
Georgia.
Previous 10 the appointment OF the
committees those State delegations with
representatives, conferred and elected
their chairmen and other representatives.
number OF States are represented by
proxy. The cold weather I'm the West
hard times, and the grip are causes OF
the small attendance in the Congress.
The first business taken up by the
Congress this afternoon. was the resolu-
tions. Resolutions approving Of improved
water ways and rural free mail delivery
were referred 10 the Committee on ResO-
lutions. Also resolution upon business
association by farmers for mutual inter-
est by President Clute, OF the Lake
City (Fla) Agricultural Institute A resO-
luton as 10 the relations Of farm
ers and railroads was offered by
C. w. Slaughter Of Tennessee, depre-
eating the disposition often mani
tested by farmers 70 antagonize
railroads. and 10 encourage legislation
intended TO hamper and obstruct railroads
in their operation The first address be-
fore the Congress was delivered by Colo
mel Daniel Needham. Of Boston, Mass,
upon the "1nterdependence OF business
relations between the States"
General Burket's Address.
General Burket, OF Miss, who was 10
have delivered an address upon the sub
ject OF the American Of the West"
was too in 20 leave his room General
Burket's address was read by Professor
Sauls. Of Mississippi.
The first portion Of the address was
confined 10 a discussion Of the agricul-
tural conditions OF the South. Owing, he
said. 10 low prices. Generalization Of
labor. and bad seasons, the farmers Of
the South are not to-day In as prosperous
a condition as might be desired. However.
General Burket said in his address he
had had good labor and fair conditions
and had little complaint Of this year
The address took somewhat Of a poll
ticaI turn when General Burkett turned
on the silver question. and declared that
President Cleveland had destroyed the
Democratic party. and thar the Chicago
platform was a mere dodge, ana was SO
intended at its adoption.
lie appealed 10 the great West 20 Join
with the South I'm resisting the great
money power Of the East. He urged that
they combine their forces TO secure the
reconciliation Of silver, and a change
81 financial conditions that would result
In the Improvement OF the condition Of
the agricultural sections OF the country.
Gereral Burketts address created some
amusement.
Government Ownership OF Railroads.
Colonel Needham's address was taken
nm for discussion. Mr.. Tewkbury, of
Pennsylvania, inquired OF Colonel Need
ham II he had any well defined plan by
which the government could obtain DOS