Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-13
NATIONAL FARMERS CONGRESS
Cold Weather, Hard Times, and Grippe
Make the Attendance Small.

Mako tne HIliii'
SAVANNAH, GA. December 12.-The
National 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 members were present. Presi-
dent Smith, Of Kansas, IS absent, and
Vice President ID. G.. Purse, Of Georgia,
presided. Hon. p. W. Meldrim, Of Savan-
nah, in behalf of the Governor OF Geor-
gia, welcomed the delegates to the State,
and Judge G. B. Rounds. of Maine re-
sponded TO the welcome. The address OF
welcome in behalf Of the State Agrcu.
tural Society was made by ]. T. Wade,
Of Georgia, in the absence of President
Waddell, and Hon. Daniel Needham,
president of the New England Agrcul-
tural Society, responded to the welcome
rendered by the agriculturists.
In his address Colonel Needham touched
upon various matters. one of which was
the educational question. The great un-
derlying principle OF agriculture Is
knowledge-is the public school. The
great underlying principle OF civilization
Is universal education. 1t Is the indi-
yiduality Of our people that maintains
the civilization OF the American Govern
ment.
They talk about restless people. We
are restless, and through that spirit VT
have been able to populate and dominate
this country. II is the restlessness OF
this people that has given us all our en-
terprise. 1t is this that has given them
better homes, better schools. and better
opportunities than their fathers had.
Colonel Needham spoke Of the fact that
the aCriculturists were one people who
never accepted q free pass from a raii'
road. He said all they wanted from q
railroad was the lowest fares and rates
they could give consistently with fall
profit for the owners, and a chance &c
call on them for damages I'm case OF ne
cessty.
The Mayor Of Savannah welcomed the
delegates TO the city. Hon. Il. +. Clayton
secretary OF the congress, In his response
outlined the work before the body. 1--WE
have met here to-day TO discuss as best
we can a guide TO agricultural questions
We are here for work. and we intend to
do IT,"
The roll OF the States was then called
and the following States were found
to have delegates in attendance: Ala
bama. Georgia, Florida. Illinois, In
diana. Iowa, Maine. Massachusetts,
Michigan. Mississippi, Kansas, Nebraska
North Carolina, South Carolina, Penn
sylvania. Tennessee, Vermont Virginia
and West Virginia.
The cold weather i'm the West, the hard
times, and the grip are the causes oi
the small attendance on the congress.
RESOLUTIONS.
The first business taken up by th'
congress this afternoon was the resOlu
tiOns
Resolutions approving OF improved wa
terways and rural free-mail delivery Wer'
referred TO the Committee on Resolutions
Also a resolution upon business associa
tlon by farmers for mutual interest. By
President Clute, Of the Lake city Ella.
Agricultural Institute. resolution as u
the relations OF farmers and railroads was
| offered by c. W. Slaughter. of Tennessee
| deprecating the disposition often mani
tested by farmers to antagonize railroad!
and to encourage legislation intended t
| hamper and restrict railroads In thei
| operations.
The FIRST address before the congress
was delivered by Colonel Daniel Need
ham, Of Boston. MaSs., upon the Inter
| dependence of Business Relations Betweei
| the States"
General Burkett, of Mississippi, WHIT
| was to have delivered an address upOl
| the subject of 1.-The Agriculture of tn
| West" was too i'll to leave his room
General Burketts address was read b!
| Professor Sauls Of Mississippi.
The address took somewhat OF 20
| litical turn when General Burkett turne'
on tho silver question. and declared tina
| President Cleveland had destroyed III
| Democratic party and that the ChicN1
| platform was a mere dodge ana was 81
| Intended at its adoption.
He appealed to the great West to joil
with the South In resisting the grea
money-power of the East. He urged tina
they combine their forces 10 secure tn
reconciliation of silver and change o
| financial conditions that would result II
| the Improvement OF the agricultural sec
tions OF the country.
Colonel Needham said that In answe
to a general question as to whether
would be proper for the government 4
| control and operate all the railroads
the country, he had said that the govern
ment had an opportunity for an expert
nent on this line by taking possession
| of the Union Pacific for its Indebtedness
! and that 1t had a precedent for so doin
| In the ownership and operation of rail
roads I'm Australia. He had not adyo
Gated that the government should owl
| and operate all the railroads of the coun
| try.
| Discussion of the relative value OF land
, IN various sections of the country 70
| farming purposes was then indulged In.
The delegates will be entertained by tn
/ cftfzapa to-pnOrrOW