The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1896-02-21
BIG DAY FOR BETS.
EEERAsKA'S PROMISING INDUS
TRY ENDORSED.
The State Convention Starts With Much
Promise and a Fine Array of Dele z
Addresses by Congressman Meikie-
john, Governor Holcomb, Prof. Nichol-
son and Other Prominent Gentlemen.
The state Sugar Beet Convention.

mont drew a large attendance from all
sections of Nebraska. Secretary Ma.
son, in calling the meeting to order,
made 4 brief address on the consunp-
ton of sugar and the interest taken in
its manufacture from sugar beets.
Congressman Meikeljohn was then
introduced and spoke in part as fol-
lows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the
Conventions: You have been convened
under 4 call to consider a special sub
ject of agriculture-the encouragement
of the cultivation and production of the
sugar beet. / feel justified, however,
when we contemplate the diversified
products of our soil, in diverting for q
time to invite your attention to the &C.
cupation of agriculture generally.
The tillage of the soil increases in
importance with the advancement OF
civilization, the augmentation of popu-
lation and the consequent sharp COM
petition in other arts and avocations.
The condition existing at the birth of
u nation caused our forefathers to
turn their attention to agriculture and
it was guarded by earnest and jealous
supporters.
We see today in the west a people
cultivating and producing this same
product, which was cultivated and pro-
duced by the Egyptians centuries be-
fore the Christian era. These observa-
tions lead toward a confirmation of that
old maxim, There is no new thing
under the SUM-" Egypt was the gran
airy of the world when Joseph opened
it to Israel. She lighted the torch of
civilization in the remote centuries of
the past and blazed the way for the
westward march of empire.
There is a growing tendency in this
generation among our young men to
forsake the field and gravitate to the
cities to engage in commercial or other
industrial pursuits. If this inclination
is based upon 4 sentiment that this
a%vocat:on of lie does not carry with it
the dignity of other professions, and
that there are not the advantages for
him on the farm as in other avenues of
life, he should reflect on this express
sion by Cicero: ''Of all pursuits from
which profit comes, nothing is superior
to agriculture, nothing more enjoyable,
nothing more worthy of a freeman
The farmer today is confronted with
a depression of prices for farm pro-
ducts, which discourages and dis
heartens, but he should remember that
he is not alone in his suffering from ex-
listing conditions. His distress is that
Of others in the many avocations OF
life. for whatever the occupation in an
agricultural region none can prosper,
when farming GIBBS and declines. Ag-
riculture lies at the very foundation of
our national wealth and prosperity
and is the main pillar of Or nations
glory and strength.
THE BEST CROPS.
The consideration of the subject of
diversification of farm products leads
us to the inquiry of what crops can be
introduced and successfully cultivated.
There are many elements upon which
the answer to this important query
must be predicated. The crop must be
one to which soil, geographical loca-
ton, and climate conditions are spe-
cially adapted. The Investigation
should be along lines where cost of
transportation will be eliminated and
the demand for the product will
closely approach the supply to insure a
just remuneration for capital and labor
employed. The profits from the new
industry should be as great or exceed
those reaped from the crop which it
supplants.
Germany and France found these ele-
ments combined in the cultivation and
production of the sugar beet, and for
more than a century has protected,
nurtured and encouraged it until it has
reached the Importance OF any other
industry in the continent. When the
great Napoleon was enforcing his con-
tinental policy of blockades, DEGREES
and embargoes and putting forth his
energy to produce sufficient sugar for
lis empire his enemy, England, was
seeking through every avenue to bride
his chemists. disparage his undertake
ing and bring ridicule or his efforts and
C~aricatures were exhibited
in Paris in which he was represented
as squeezing a beet into his coffee and
his son, the young king of Rome, as
sucking a beet. and The nurse address
ing him is made TO say. Suck, dear,
suck; your father say it's sugar"
We often e it said, until with
many it has perhaps become n convic-
ton. that the cause of agriculture has
had the fostering care and atten-
ton of II government, out has been
sacrificed in the interest OF other in
dustries. This unfortunate assumption
often Missed from the '.~hustings'' for
sinister purposes. has had Il pernicious
effect upon public minds. The most
eminent men i'll public station since the
foundation of our government have
z%ealously guarded and protected agri-
culture. This is very clearly manifest
ed in the debate on the first tariff bill
before congress, in which agricultural
products were given special rates of
duty to encourage and foster them, and
guarding the market from encroach-
ment by other nations whose capital
and labor were employed in the same
avoca;ion. /
Our present status in regard to sugar
is such that of an annual consumption
of four billions of pounds we produce
but one-eighth, and are dependent upon
foreign countries for the balance. For
this supply of foreign sugar we send
abroad annually one hundred milliong
of dollars in gold, or its equivalent.
This is an unnecessary drain upon the
wealth of our nation.
That the soil and climatic conditions
are favorab bic to the cultivation and