Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-04
Observations On My Trip.
IS. w. Matthews in Maine Farme

w. w. NIdiihtNo III -ntiiue FuFfncT.D
Mr.. Editor: You suggest that a coll
umn article containing some .observa-
tons made during my recent trip TO
Nashville, Tennessee may be of interest
to your readers. The main object of my
visit there was to attend the 18th annual
convention of the national association
of officials of bureaus of labor statistics.
which was held May 18th, Goth and 2lst
incidentally. the members of the asso-
citation We're afforded an opportunity to
visit the centennial exposition now in
progress in Nashville. Tennessee. and
which is attracting much attention
throughout the country.
The rallying point of the Eastern mem
berS of the association on their journey
to Nashville was Washington. where
special arrangements had been made
with the Southern Railway Company.
Leaving Washington on the evening of
May 18th. we passed over the sacred
soil' of Virginia in the dark. arriving at
the mountain region of North Carolina
in the early morning. and We're there
fore furnished with a magnificent view
of that celebrated region which is the
elimination of the Appalachian system
the back bone of the Eastern half of the
United States. The views in this region
We're grand and magnificent, but. of
course can only be alluded to in this
brief article. Our route took in the me
tropois of his mountain region. famous
throughout the country as "A health re-
sort. Asheville. North Carolina. near
which place is the Vanderbilt estate.
consisting of 10000 acres. and upon
which its owner George W. Vanderbilt
of New York. is estimated to have ex-
pended s. 900, 600 Knoxville and Chatta-
uooga. famous in the history of the great
rebellion. were passed en- route. and. with
other famous hattlefields of the war in
that vicinity were visited on our return
by several members of our party. We
arrived in Nashville Wednesday morn
ing. May DIST, being two nights and one
day from Washington. Our journey had
been a pleasant and comfortable one, ard
the ather delightful.
The sessions of our convention We're
held in the Senate chamber of the state
capitol. being opened with an address by
the president of the convention, Hon.
Carroll d. Wright followed by-an adj
dress of welcome in behalf of the state
by Hon. John Thompson. speaker of
the Senate. acting for, the governor, r.
l.. Taylor, who is i'll. and is said to be
about to resign his office. in which event
Mr.. Thompson. a sound ,Repubhcan. ana
thorough gentleman. will become gov
ernor. The address of Mr.. Thompson
was followed by an address of welcome
in behalf of the city of Nashville. by the
mayor. Our reception and entertainment
during our stay in Nashville were most
cordial, the meetings being attended by
the most prominent and influential citi-
zens of the state. Among the notable adj
dresses delivered during the convention
was that of DR.. Frederick w. Moore OF
Vanderbilt University. his topic being.
Some Economic Problems in Agricul-
ture" The paper was an interesting doc
ument setting forth the observations of
a man trained in the solution of perpleX-
ing questions which confront the period.
The conclusion of his paper was as fol-
lows
"For the thriftless farmer there is, per-
hans. little hope; and it would be an UNI
wise philanthropy that would bestow
much compassion on him. But Is there
ANYTHING in the accidents and conditions
of farming that would permanently de-
nress the whole class? Is there any con-
siderable section of the country where
scientific farming by an intelligent. bust
ness-lke farmer cannot be mace proit-
able on small farm which would re-
auire relatively little capital? Every
where | have looked l have found some
successful farmers. even under existing
conditions: just as | have also fouhu IN
the same localities others whose Ialluie
was abundantly explainable through
their thriftlessness.
rev will he able to acquire lordly es-
tates. or live in luxury on a farm. But
A modest competence is posslple: ana ina
is as much as the better part Oh our pop-
llIation, speaking numerically ana NOR
ally have today The farmer may con
time to be the peer of the small trader
and skilled mechanic. People from those
/
walks in life have hitherto been the stur-
diest of our population They nave sup
niiod aud should continue to supply, re-
cruits to the large mercantile trades ana
the educated professions. Inc lnecnaiilc
uvas comfortably acquires home, or a
small bank account or insurance NOT.
trains his sons and daughters to honey
labor. lives a useful life ana dies re-
spected. Intelligence. mental alerthess'
ability to use information, industry, SET III.
ras,,sct modest tastes; these are ms
chnracteristics. and they mark also lhe
successful farmer May his race m
crease. ~. 30 Han
Another notable paper was that OF non.
carroll y. Wright. commissioner OF tne
limited States department OF iapoT' upo !,
.1,ho IndnstriaI progress of the South
MI Wright cited mass Of fa net s snDharg
the remarkable progress OF t'is ,on -
states in the production OF coal pis IRON,
and other minerals: also the Increase OF
cotton spindles and other manulacauii, ,,s
establishments. which space prevents us
from quoting. An interesting sla !, "a
made by him was that relating 10 enH ed
uca tional development of the coiored