Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-10-09

The 26th annual meeting or the
Farmers National Congress opened
here at 10 o'clock this morning at the
Illinois theater. and the prediction that
this would be the most successful
gathering ever held by the organiza-
ton has been fully borne out. more
delegates being in attendance than at
any previous meeting. The addresses
of Governor Deneen and Mayor Nc
Caskrin and the responses by Hon.
Joshua Strange of Marion, Ind. second
vice president. and Hon. B. Cameron
of Stagville. y. c.. were the features
of the morning session, each one of the
speakers confining their remarks TO
subjects peculiarly fitting 10 the topics
assigned 10 them.
Little time was lost by President
Stahl after the delegates reached the
theater. in calling the convention TO
order. and the manner in which each
speaker was received indicates strict
attention throughout the week and
means that much work will be accom-
pliShed.
Parade tO the Hail.
Promptly at 10 o'clock a parade was
formed at the congress headquarters
at the Harper house. platoon of pO-
lice leading. followed by the band. be-
hind which was Governor Deneen, and
all the officers OFT he organization in
carriages Then followed over 400 del
egates marching four abreast, the
delegates from the various states
mingling with those of another
and falling in line at the most convent
ent position. thus showing the great
friendship that exists in the congress.
The line of march was directly down
Second avenue TO the Illinois theater
where the Goth convention opened.
Appropriate Settings.
The stage settings were unique. rep
resenting the barn yard of prosper
Gus Illinois farmer. the officers of the
congress being seated in ordinary
straight back chairs, in a semi-circle
from the barn 10 the watering trough.
Two bales of hay were used as the
chairman's table To make the effect
more realistic there was a horse. and
chickens. and stalks of good Illinois
corn were shocked along the rear of
tbe stage and on either side of the
fence
Prayer by Rev. Sherwood.
President Stahl called the conven-
tion TO order at 1915 o'clock, introduc- |
ing Rev. Granville H. Sherwood. rector |
of Trinity Episcopal church. who de- :
livered a brief prayer.
Mayor McCaskrin delivered the ad- |
dress of welcome in his usual manner. |
evincing much applause throughout his |
few remarks. He made distinct i'm |
preston upon the delegates when he |
suggested that congress be petitioned |
for an annual appropriation of $1,000 |
to each state for the furtherance of the |
work of the Farmers congress. and to |
increase the attendance at the meet |
ings.
Response To Mayors Welcome.
In responding 10 the address of May |
or McCaskrin. Hon. Joshua Strange OF !
Marion. Ind. took occasion TO call at |
tention to the stage decoration. saying |
that il was so much like home he |
could scarcely realize that he was on |
a speakers platform with hundreds of |
people peering up at him. But one |
thing was lacking, that being the old |
fashioned plow board on which the |
chairman might rap his gavel. His |
remarks were well received and he |
graciously accepted for the congress
the freedom of the city rendered by the |
mayor
Cannot See Craft.
President Stahl, in introducing Cover
nor Deneen, Tesorted TO bits of humor
that evoked much mirth referring to
the governor as the young man from
southern Illinois with the defective |
eyesight. He couldn't see graft. THAT
he demonstrated" said Mr. Stahl
when he became attorney for the Chi
cago drainage board, and the specialist
failed to effect any improvement when
Deneen was made states attorney of
Cook county. Now. since he has risen
10 the highest Office in the gift of IlIi-
nois. it has been concluded that his
defective eyesight is incurable.''
welcome by Governor.
The welcome to the congress on be-