The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-11-19
THE MEETING WAS ADDRESSED
BY EX-PRESIDENT BENJA-
MIN HARRISON.
MEMORIAL 70 Be SENT 70 CONGRESS
Seeks Protection on Farm Products.
Resolutions Adopted Asking Many
Reforms From Congressional
Session of National Grange.

Indianapolis, Ind.,. Nov. 1.-THE first
business to come before the Farmers
Congress today was the memorial ad-
dress to congress prepared by a commit
tee of which William Lawrence of Ohio
is chairman. The memorial adopted
says that the Farmers National Con
gress is not political organization; that
the recent election for representatives in
congress has for time solved the ques
ton that the most ample protection
should be extended to agricultural prod
ucts in common with those of other in
dustries.
The memorial suggests a number of
changes in the Dingley tariff bill, among
them being the striking out Of the skirt
ing clause" which originated in the tariff
bill in 1890. 1t also asks for the pas
sage of bill proposed in n memorial
prepared by the National Wool Growers
association at Washington, D. c., in 1895
in MD of sheep husbandry. The memo
rial says it is the desire of the Farmers
Congress that after March 4, 1897, the
president shall call an extra session of
congress, to meet at the earliest posi-
BILE time, to enact protective tariff law.
The memorial protests against delay.
Elk President Harrison was next intro
duced and addressed the body at length
He spoke of the custom of men of
particular avocation associating them
selves together with commentator.
THE times are full of such associa-
tions," he said, land l think they should
be encouraged"
Gen. Harrison said: Don't fight az
one that beats the air. l have no pa
thence whatever with those people who
are always fighting the air. If you have
something to antagonlze, out with it;
specify it; make your attack directly. 1t
must be so if it is to be effective. If
there are abuses of any kind in legisla-
ton or in the business of the country,
let us fix the public eye upon them until
we have exposed the evil and then we
can trust the country to make it right
1t is mischievOus to denounce classes and
this thing and that, and if there are
trusts let us know it and bring legisla-
tlon W DeuT upon lnelH ana tnen we nave
accomplished something"
The congress adjourned this afternoon.
President Clayton and officers hold
over until the st. Paul meeting next
year. being elected for four years.
The committee on resolutions reported
in favor of the following resolutions and
their recommendations were adopted:
That congress provide an amendment
to the constitution to grant to women
the right of suffrage and ballot that
man now enjoys; that the laws against
trusts be amended and enforced; that
the postoffice department forward the
betterment of mail facilities to rural
communities; that the United States con-
gress take measures to prevent the
spread of hog cholera and other swine
diseases; that the national government
take active measures to prevent unde-
sirable immigration.
A resolution by G. s. Kelsey of Battle
Creek, Mich, was adopted. recommend
ing to congress the establishment of a
department of commerce, to receive the
same representation as now accorde! to
| other departments of the government.