Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-04-01
WITH THE FARMERS.
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
NATIONAL CONGRESS.
OPENING OF THE CONGRESS CORDIAL
WELCOME TO CITY AND STATE
RESOLUTIONS OF NATIONAL
IMPORTANCE.

tyrittcn for The AMERICAN by K. G. f.
Caudagc, of Brookline, Mass, delegate to the
congress.
The sixteenth annual session of the
Farmers National congress was held at
indianapolis, Indiana, on Nov 10, IL and
IL, 1896 There were but four delegates
present from New England: John G.
Avery, of Spencer, Mass; Francis II .
Appleton, of Danvers, Mass; the writer,
and Prof. George A. Stockwell of Provi-
dence, Il. L., secretary Of the Rhode
Island board Of agriculture.
The journey from Boston to Indian
apolis via Albany, Buffalo and Cleveland,
a distance of thousand miles, was easily
and comfortably made in twentysix
hours. In the days of our fathers, be-
fore the advent of railroads with sleeping
and dining room cars, it would have been
A long and tiresome journey of weeks, or
possibly of months.
We arrived on Sunday, day and a half
in advance OF the opening OF the con-
gress, and improved the time in looking
about the city. We called upon the
governor, Hon. Claude Matthews, at the
state house. He was engaged when we
entered, hut we presented our cards and
were shown into his elegant and spacious
reception. parlors. He came in shortly
after, excused himself for keeping us
waiting, md added that he was glad to
welcome delegates to the Farmers Ma
tional congress from Massachusetts,
Said he: When you came in | was
engaged in conversation with friends
about heN it happened We under
stood his remark had reference to the re-
cent national election and said: "Well
governor, aren't you glad it happened?'
He answered quickly: mo, not in the
way it happened, but l am glad it is
over"
date for the presidency, before the
Chicago convention, where. upon the first
ballot, he received the support OF he dele
gates from his state, and when Candidate
Bryan visited Indiana Governor Matthews
welcomed him to its capital, and escorted
him on his speech making tour through
the commonwealth.
pleasant during our interview and upon
departing urged us to call often while in
the city, and by his courtesy and suave
manner won our regard. Later, in his in
tercourse with us and the delegates gem
orally, he was cordial and genial and did
all he could for their comfort and happi-
ness while in the city.
OPENING OF THE CONGRESS.
Congress convened Nov. 10, in the hall
OF representatives in the state house,
which had been set apart for its meetings
and where it continued it's deliberations
until final adjournment. There were
about 200 delegates present, among whom
were several lady-farmers from the
middle western states. The gathering
was smaller than that at Atlanta, Ga,
1895, but still an influential body. The
Pacific and southern states, Texas ex-
cepted, were not represented, probably
owing to the short interval OF time
between the national election and the
meeting of this congress.
Rev. ID. r. Lucas, of indianapolis,
offered prayer for the harmonious and
beneficial deliberations of the delegates
to the congress. Mayor Thomas Taggart
made an address of welcome and rendered
to the delegates the freedom of the city.
Secretary Stahl, Of the congress, re-
sponded to the mayors address OF well
come in few wel-chosen words, and in
felictous manner. Hon. J. G. Kingsley,
Of the Indiana Farmer, welcomed the
delegates on behalf of the press, and Hon.
j. G.. Offutt, of Indiana, member of the
executive committee of the congress, on
behalf of the farmers OF the state.
The governor welcomed the delegates
on behalf of the people OF the state of
Indiana, from whom we quote as follows
While it is one duty OF my office to well
come various conventions and associa-
tions, yet | assure you that il affords me
more than usual pleasure to welcome
your congress to our state and to its capt.
tai city. Belonging to, and my every in
terest being identified with, the class you
here represent, have watched the pro-
ceedlngs of your previous conventions
with great interest, and believe | am safe
in saying that good has resulted from
your intelligent deliberations.
Indiana, while but thirty-third i'll area
In the list of states, has, through the
great fertility of her soil and the progress
sive and intelligent development of her
wonderful resources by her farmers, been
placed in the front rank of the great
grain producing and livestock raising
states of the union.
Indiana extends to you warm hand
and cordial greeting, and expresses the
hope that this meeting with us may be
most notable in the good results accom-
plished.
My purpose to-day is to briefly but
none the less cordially welcome you to
our state, and to assure you of our high
appreciation of the honor you confer in
sixteenth annual congress.
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
President Clayton of the congress re-
sponded to the governors cordial well
come, thanking him heartily on behalf Of
himself and of the delegates, and face