The Monticellonian., 1905-08-10
CONVENTION OF FARMERS.
Bushes. ct Much Importance to Far ners of the State Transscted-kII Old Officers Reelected.

The Farmers Educational and Go operative Union of Arkansas opened its convention at the old statehoIse in Little Rock with over 300 delegates present representing practically every county in the state.
 The convention was called 10 order ty President J T. Baton of Tucker man and the program for the three days session of the convention was announced by Ben L. Griffin of Nash vile. secretary-treasurer of the state organization. An invocation was then offered by Dr j. T Christian of the Second Baptist church.
 Address by Mayor Lemon.
 Mayor Lemon on behalf of the city of Little Rock then welcomed the dele gates cf the convention to the city. Mayor Lemon in a speech of some five minutes gladly extended the freedom ot the city. through which they would be gladly shown.
 Mayor Lemon expressed the senu- ment that the business men of Little Rock were interested in the success of the farmers and their movement to better their condition, for the success of the farmer, he said, meant the sue cess of the men of the city
 Response by J. D. oIiphant.
 The response to the address of wei come of Mayor Lemon was made by J. D. 0liphant of Agnos, in which he expressed the gratitude of the dele gates for the hospitality so far shown them by the city of Little Rock, and hoped that the coming of the conven- ton to this city would not be source of regret to either the farmers or the citizens of the city The purpose of the farmers in coming to Little Rock. however. he said, was to discuss propo- sitions of interest to the welfare of the farmers as individuals and as a class. and he thought that the people of Little Rock were not expecting a flow cry speech from farmer, but rather expected him to adopt plans whereby he could better agitate the soil. The speaker believed that the coming to- gether Of the farmers of the state would result in much good to all The convention was not being held in op- position te any class of people. he said. bdt for the better ment of the farming class.
 President Baton Talks.
 President J. T. Baton then ad- dressed the members of the conven tion in C short speech. in which he further expressed the gratitude of the union in the kind advances of the citi- zens of Little Rock. He assured the business men of Little Rock. present, that the farmers of the state had not come together as antagonistic to the people ef the city. for the prosperity of the business men was as necessary to the prosperity of the farmer as was the farmers welfare to that of the business man.
 ereoential Committee.
 President Baton then announced the appointment Of the credential com mittee as follows: Lamar Patton. Woodruff county: W. H. Buchanan Pope county; J. F. Watkins. Phillips county Perry Norton, Nevada county: H, Rogers. Lawrence county.
 The eredential committee then re tired to the senate chamber and began their work of enrolling the delegates
 Work ct the Convention.
 Much ef.ectiye work was done. but behind closed doors, and the outlook for the future is bright
 There were few people present. as is always the case. who were not in strict accord with union principles The union is doing good work and is perfecting an organization much more rapidly than was anticipated by the delegates present.
 An attempt on the part of one fac ton to oust the present officers of the union and secure control of the state organization met with defeat when the election of officers was held A slate which had been prepared at a caucus meeting was broken into small fragments. j. T. Baton was re-elect- ed president over H. B. Walker. the candidate of the opposition, and Ben L. Griffin was reelected secretary over C. D: MlneT, who was on the caucus slate. The vice presidency was given 10 H. B. Walker, the caucus nominee for president,
 The election of officers was a spirit cd contest for the various offices. The fight is said to have been of friendly nature and to have been due not to any personal feeling against the pres ent officers. but to a desire to gain control of the organization.
 The New Officers.
 The full list of officers elected is as follows. J. T. Baton, Tuckerman, Jackson county president; H. B. Walk er Nashville, Howard county. evic president, Ben l.. Griffin, Nashville. Howard county, secretary; J. w Conner Greenwood, Sebastian county. chaplain ]. Fl. Keith Malvern, Hot Spring county. doorkeeper: John Blackford Jones boro. Craighead coun- ", conductor
 Will Cooperate with Labor Federation
 During the session the convention disposed of the proposition presented by committee from the State Feder- ation of Labor by agreeing to GOOD