Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-15
THE FARMERS
NATIONAL CONGRESS

The coming annual session Of the Farm
srs' national, congress. United States ar
my. which viii be convened in the city
OF Macon, Ca, October T-1O. 1872. Is at
tracing enthusiastic and widespread in
Terests IN all parts OF the United States
Those officers and members who have
been longest identified with Tire annual
sessions and general work OF the con-
gress state that from the present outlook,
the coming convention viii be the most
largely attended Of any previous session
held IN the past history Of the = years
existence OF the association. This fact
presents a glowing tribute 20 the attrae-
fiveness OF Georgia in particular and the
south in general TO the eastern. northern
and western agriculturist- One OF the
first and most important essentials. tow
ard increasing the number OF delegates
who win now attend the next session was
the action OF the Southeastern Passenger
association in promptly granting a rate OF
one fare for the roInd trip Throughout
AL points covered h. the territory OF
that association east OF the Mississippi
ana south OF :he Ohio rivers. The other
PASSENGER associations covering the bal
ance Of the territory in the United States
cannot now well afford 20 make any
hfcner rate than that already fixed BY
the Southeastern Passenger association.
At the close OF the session Of the con-
gress at Sioux Falls. 5. D. last October,
IN discussing the next place OF meeting. II
was unanimously decided TO hold the con-
zress for Is02 az some point In the south,
preferences being expressed for a typicai
southern city, located in the heart OF typ
teal southern agriculture. The acfion OF
the executive committee OF the congress.
which met at Chicago in February to
consider invitations from various cities
wanting the congress. and its unanimous
- - IN have
struck a responsive sentiment favorable
70 that location in the hearts and minds
OF the delegates from all parts OF the
country.
National and international.
The farmers generally. and especially
those Of the south. do not seem 70 fully
appreciate the scope and extent OF the
subjects discussed. nor she work perform
"a by the delegates attending these an
nua1 sessions OF the congress. During my
attendance on the last session Of the con-
gress az Sioux Fails. found but few men
there from the south. while eastern and
western states contributed large numbers
Of delegates Southern agriculture oecu-
pies as important a position In national
and international affairs as that OF any
other section OF the Union. and we should
not fan 20 take advantage OF these an
nual opportunities 20 advance and pro-
mote our own interests In connection with
those from other sections. The Farmers
National congress exercises an immense
influence over national legislation on
questions relating 10 agriculture. II
southern farmers continue 70 remain In
different they viii continue TO md that
those sections OF the country which make
the best effort viii be favored by what
ever action congress can be Induced 20
take in their interests. The recent passage
OF the oleomargarine bin Is an evidence Of
the influence Of the northwestern dairy
men on the congress OF the United States.
This bill outlaws one agricultural pro-
duct 20 foster and protect another. II
taxes oleomargarine. a product Of beef fat
and cotton seed oil. out Of existence I'm or
der 70 hold up the prices Of dairy butter.
II congress can tax oleomargarine 10 pro-
.fect the butter interests Of the northwest.
ft can also place a tax on cotton seed oil
10 protect the lard industry OF western
packing houses II can also place tax
on an cotton fibre woven into wooden
goods 20 foster and protect the wooden in
dustry OF the northwest Sheep raisers
are already clamoring for such law. and
the recent successor the dairymen Of Wis
eonsin and other butter states establishes
q precedent 81 which the wool growers
win not ue slow 10 take advantage
In all these matters the south Is des-
tined TO be the chief sufferer IL southern
farmers make no effort TO protect their
own interests. These are questions. which
come up for discussion in these annual
sessions Of the Farmers National Con-
gress. where resolutions are passed and
strong committees appointed 70 go before
congress and urge legislation favorable
20 those interests which the strongest ele-
ment IN the congress favor. These are
some Of the good reasons why IL is so
earnestly desired that we have a large
delegation In the coming session from all
states south OF the Mason and Dixon line
Southern farmers seem to be in a state Of
iethargy along these lines. while our
northern co-labOrers are pushing their in
terests whit great progress and success.
The Official Program.
Following IS the program 81 the Farm