The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-13
POLK COUNTY FARMERS DINE.
Generous Banquet Set Out for the
Visitors.

t1SIt0ES.
A delegation of Polk county farmers. num-
boring 150, were entertained at luncheon at
the Guaranty Loan dining parlors last even
ing by z. V. Collins, manager of the North
western Agrlculturist, on behalf of the com
pany they went to st. Paul Friday by re-
quest OF President J. J. HILL of the Great
Northern, that they might look over the state
agricultural college and inspect the expert
mental farm. Upon invitation of T. B. Walk
er they came over to Minneapolis yesterday
on special interurban car and were met at
the West hotel by Mayor Pratt l.. " Collins
and Wyman Elliott: They were taken to the
residence OF MI. Walker at o'clock, where
they were shown the art gallery and given
an account of the paintings From there the
party went to the public library and exam
fned 1t thoroughly, then the entire delegation
was furnished four cars and taken to view
the Pillsbury mills. On their return the new
court house and city hall was inspected after
which the Guaranty Loan was visited for
luncheon.
The sight which the spacious dining parlor
presented when the sturdy representatives of
the husbandry of the state sat grouped about
the tables was an unusual one. P v. Collins
acted as postmaster. At his right were
Mayor NJ. R. Brown, of Crookston; A. L.
Croker, president of the board of trade; T.
B. Walker and L. c. Pryor publisher of the
implement trade paper On his left were
Mayor Pratt, G. A. PilIsbury, Wyman Elliott
and j. B. Bushnell The gathering embodied
the idea of bringing together representatives
OF the leading industries Of the city for an
interchange Of views with the visitors The
light repast was discussed with ample Justice,
after which brief speeches were delivered
Mr.. Collins, in calling the gathering to
order. spoke Of the pride which he felt in
meeting such a representative gathering
There were present the heads of enterprises
and the heads Of families, but politics was
excluded He considered 1t grand oppor-
tunity to commune as to their mutual inter
ests They were part and parcel of a great
system each dependent on the other. The
visit of the farmers to the experimental farm
and state college was an indication of their
desire to get out of any ruts into which
there was a tendency to fall and seize the
opportunities presented. He extended them a
hearty welcome to the city.
President A. L. Croker seconded the well
come. He touched briefly of the work he
ing done by the farmers referred to the live
stock interests Of the state and closed nv
stating the object Of the board of trade and
its desire to promote the city interests and
bring them more in touch with the coun-
try.
E. G. Childs responded on behalf of the
guests. He expressed qualification for the
eHorts OF President Hill and warm apprecia-
ton for the welcome rendered the visitors
by the people of Minneapolis He denied
the allegation of certain papers that the
farmers were "wild-eyed Populsts' and al
though they may differ in their political be-
hefs, there was a common interests for the
residents of the city. He assured his enter
tanners that the delegation would return
home with enlarged ideas Of the industries
of Minneapolis and more favorable impress
sions Of her people.
Mayor Pratt briefly supplemented the well