The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-07
CONGRESS
It Meets in Macon, Ca, This Morn
ing With 1900 Delegates
Present.
President Flanders Makes a Plea for
the Broader Education of
the Farmer.

Macon, Ga, Oct. 1.-THE twenty second |
annual session Of the Farmers National
Congress was opened in this city to-day
with an estimated attendance of 1900
delegates representing every state in the
union. The melting was called to order
by President George L. Flanders, who de!
livered his annual address. Mr.. Fla nders
said in part:
1--WE have lived to see the demand for
agricultural education which should edu
cate the boys back toward the farm, that
should educate in the calling Of the agri-
culturist so that that calling might be dig
nitied also with the title OF profession,
grow steadily.
THE granaries Of the world are being
filled until to-day we are confronte ted with
the fact that in the United States five and
two thirds millions farms are producing
five and one-half billion dollars worth Of
agricultural products, a sum said to- be
much in excess Of the total income Of the:
farmers at any other time in their history;
T in this; country. This year we gre raising
in the United States as much corn as was
raised in the world last year.
1.-THE education that has been going on
in the interest Of the agriculturist during
the last thirty years has produced Won
derfu results; but ALL or nearly so, are
upon one side Of this two sided question
namely, upon the side of production With
out touching the question Of distribution
|
riculturist to the government or govern
ments under which he lives and by V1r-
tue of which he is protected. We are
living in an age of combinations, an age
when corporations and. corporate inter-
ests unite for purposes which to them
seem wise and just; an age: when the
labor element is organized for purposes
which to it seem just and right: an age
in which capital generally speaking, is
organized and combined for reasons which
to it seem just and right: so that, when
any problem arises, from the question OF
distribution to the question of legislation,
they are prepared at short notice to deter
mine what action should be taken and
then act as unit. What is true Of these
combinations is not true of the agricul-
tural population, and yet that population
is ten twenty ninths Of the entire num-
Der engaged in the industrial pursuits OF
this country. The scope of our educa-
! tional work should be such that II
will extend to this class Of our popula-
ton as much Information. as i, possible
t through some kind Of an organizations q
} by some means best suited to that .send
: of, the fundamental principles Involved II
: economic questions of the times and q
their political duties and obligations tx
themselves, and others through the gov
eminent or governments under which they
: live In other words the theories ant
9 fundamental principles of constitutions
2 law should be taught alongside OF tn
fundam entail principles underlying the pro
r duction Of agricultural products.
An address of welcome was del1Vere'
8 bv George A. Smith Of the city chambe
o of commerce. Vice President Harvey Jor
dan Of the farmers congress responded
I The morning session was taken up witt
= the examination of the report OF the com
o mittee credentials.
- The sessions will continue through Fri