The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-12
FARMERS TALK AGRICULTURE.
POLITICS A SIDE ISSUE IN TIE
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

All SecuOns OF the State-A heAFAt
welcome Given and Cordially Ac-
cepted-Mnny of the states Lead
ing Men Present-TOpics Affecting
the Interests of the Farmers Ably
Presented and Discussed - Presi-
dent Browns Address.
The Georgia Agricultural Society began
its annual session at Tybee yesterday
morning with an attendance Of represen-
tatives from every section of the state.
The personal and general appearance of
the body is thoroughly creditabie 10 the
agricultural interests.
The opening session was fun of inter-
est and there is reason to expect that
to-days viii be equally so No political
feeling of any kind has developed. and
the generally expressed sentiment is that
ell manifestations ~ this kind should
be suppressed
The society was called to order in the
Hotel Tybee pavilion by President Brown,
who called upon Col. J. NJ. Mobley Of Har-
ris county, gentleman of snow-white
hair and beard TO lead the convention in
prayer Col Mobley prayed earnestly
for the divine guidance and petiuoned
earnestly for the suppression of all crime
and laWlessness.
The welcome in behalf of the town of
Tybee was delivered by Mai. C. NJ. Ry
ais, who is a cottager on the island.
Mai. Ryals' welcome was brief and to
the point. He told the convention that
the doors and hearts of the people of Ty-
bee were wide open and that there was
only one dog on the island, and he was
pet They were welcome, he said, as long
as they would stay.
eve feel that We are the ones benefit
ted by the convention" said the major,
"and we are glad there are so many of
you here. We wish there were more"
Col ]. G. Mccall of Quitman responded
TO the welcome in behalf of the conven-
ton
Col Mccall said that Maj Ryals adj
dress was like pie crust, short. but sweet,
significant and full of meaning. Although
a citizen of South Georgia, he said, it was
the first time he had ever opened his eyes
upon Tybee and he was charm
ed with it. He realized the sig
nifcance of the name of the city
when he passed over the broad Savan-
nah's between it and the sea. Col. Mccall
described his impressions of the ocean and
said that it was typical of human life. He
rejoiced to see such a large gathering of
bright farmer faces, with cheerful coun-
tenances, well dressed American gentle
men, The convention demonstrated that
not all farmers were unsuccessful
Col. Mccall spoke of the purposes of the /
convention, to prepare plans 20 give the
farming interest a new and abiding
strength. He discussed the conditions now
prevailing and advocated a system of writ
ten contracts between landlord and tenant
which would leave no ground for dispute
a the end Of the year When the tenant is
assured of his living he said, his sole OBJ
ject would not be to get a years support
off the land and then ana not till then
would the lands be improved.
Mayor Meldrim was introduced by Presi-
dent Brown as one of Georgias distn-
guished citizens one of her wise broad
minded lawmakers. and one of the big
gest mayors of one of the biggest cities in
the state.
Mayor Meldrim. in replying said that he
had not expected that he should say any
thing in the way of welcome in behalf Of
the city of Savannah. Had we known
he said, ''of your coming more appro-
pirate and more gracious welcome would
have been extended YOU
He expressed his thanks for the kind
said is a commercial city. Her com
merce depends upon the products which
you ship 10 her. There is much in common
between her interests and yours. l have
no sympathy with that sentiment which
seeks TO array one section against another,
or one interest against another. Labor
and capital should be friends. The man
who seeks 10 array class against class is
not a good citizen. The interest OF the
man who produces Is the interest of the
carriers who conveys the interest of the
merchants who exchange value for value
Georgia Is to-day prosperous. With
bountiiul crops with improved farming
facilities. with better homes, with more
liberal education. she has entered upon
an era OF prosperity Only about per
cent. Of the homes of the people of Geor-
gia are encumbered. No other state in
the American union has that record. our
prosperity is at last based upon the agri-
cultural interests Of the state. Whatever
there is in her is at last dependent upon
your prosperity. What she is you have
made her, what she is 70 be depends at last
upon your strength ana prosperity. Just
as the agricultural interests OF Georgia
have made her what she is they will for
years 20 come make her what she is to be-"
Mayor Meldrim c.Osed with an eloquent
expression Of welcome 10 the society.
Hon. j. NJ. Mobley replied to Mayor Mel
drim, returning thanks on the part Of the
convention for his hearty welcome and for
his good words In behalf Of the agricultural
society, and the agricultural interests OF
the state. Savanuah's friendship for the
society is well known he said The day
has passed when there was prejudice
against Savannah. There was a time when
the up-counrty people thought the people
Of Savannah were swel-heads
He thought so himself until he was elected
a member Of the legislature and was IN
"a tstb ht I..