The L'Anse sentinel., 1911-03-11
THE MENoMMEE coNrEsENcE.

nominee. We firmly believe that con-
ference to have been more significant
and momentous and that it will be
eventually more historic than any sim
liar public gathering in the upper PEN
insula of whatsoever character since
Michigan traded the Toledo strip
for the country north Of the straits. In
personnel the Menominee convention
was superb. In sim and purpose it
sought the common good Of every por-
tion without partisan or sectional bias.
In spirit it was superlatively and intel
ligently enthusiastic. In achievement,
it was intensely practical. The fruits
of the conference will come not tomor-
row, or next week, or next month, but
throughout the years, until northern
Michigan shall be known as one of the
most successful agricultural regions of
the middle west.
The dominant note was sane, reason
able and unshaken confidence in the
possibilities and future of the upper
peninsula. This found expression in
the official declaration of the aim and
purpose of the organization, and in
every one of the several notable ad-
dresses to which the delegates listened.
The agricultural future of this region
no longer rests upon experiment and
expectation. Every claim for its ex-
cellence is based upon substantial
achievement. The assertion that the
upper peninsula grows the best and
most sought apples, the sweetest sugar
beets, the finest and fastest small
fruits, the most perfect Spanish onions,
the best potatoes, is no longer mere
bombast. 1t may be backed up when
ever necessary by statistics along all
of these lines. 1t is no longer ques-
toned that the upper peninsula is un-
excelled for grazing, making dairying
and stock-raising logical and success
full industry. The time when the up
per peninsula was regarded as rock
bound in summer, and snow-bound in
winter, capable of sustaining life only
with great difficulty, is happily past.
This false and hurtful conception has
yielded before the broadsides of hard
facts with which it has been assailed.
In effecting the organization wise
care was taken that every county
should be given equal representation
and the bylaws make impossible in the
future any dominance by selfish, or
sectional, or political interests. The
bureau will devote its energies toward
the advancement of the peninsula as a
rounded whole, along broad, generous
lines which have been adopted and
proved successful elsewhere. 1t will
seize upon every opportunity to display
it's products to an advantage, it will
promote agriculture along the latest
and most scientific lines, will advance
the cause Of agricultural education in
every manner possible. and it will dis
seminate among the farmers informa-
tion of the most practical and useful
sort to enable them to successfully
meet the peculiar problems of their
profession under northern Michigan
climatic and soil conditions.
Very properly the organization de-
clared the necessity for big sum an
nually to carry on these activities and
the appropriation of fund of fifty
thousand dollars, equitably apportioned
among the various counties, indicates a
recognition on the part of the organic
ers of the real size of the task before
them. and displays determination to
meet the situation in that generous
and thorough fashion which alone will
win success.
There was not big substantial in
terest unrepresented at the Menominee
meeting. Every railroad sent officials
to represent them. Every big land in
terest was on hand with its special rep
resentatives. Every agricultural So
ciety had its delegates. Every county
of the entire fifteen were on hand in
the persons of accredited representa-
tives. The meeting was exceptionally
representative. The small farmer
rubbed elbows with the wealthy mine
owner, or operator. The railroad man
fraternized with the officials Of city
boards Of trade, or chambers of COM
merce. Officials were there represent
ing every city and every county. All
found common interest and COM
mon purpose before which differences
of viewpoint disappeared.
The meeting was marked by per-
feet harmony. Throughout, not dis
cordant note was sounded. The task
Of wisely organizing was soberly and
seriously undertaken by every man
who participated in the conference. and
when decision was reached, II was
invariably unanimous. The officials
were selected with a'rare wisdom and
their character, success In private life