PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



Farmers' State Congress of Indiana. 



Indianapolis, February 2-4, 1904. 



HISTORICAL. 



We have often been asked who originated the Farmers' National Con- 

 gress and what has been its history. We know but little of its history 

 prior to 1884. 



The first printed proceedings were those of the fifth annual session, 

 held at Indianapolis in 1885. Since then there has been kept a complete 

 record of all the proceedings. 



Commencing with only five members, the Congi-ess has grown to be 

 an important body, and its non-partisan position gives it great strength 

 with legislative bodies. It has accomplished a grand work in presenting 

 such measures as the agriculturists of the country need. 



The meetings from 1885 were as follows: St. Paul, 1886; called meet- 

 ing at Washington, D. C, 1887; regular meeting, Chicago, 1887; Topeka, 

 Kan., 1888; Montgomery, Ala., 1889; Council Bluffs, la., 1890; Sedalia, 

 Mo., 1891; Lincoln, Neb., 1892; Savannah, Ga., 1893; Parkersburg, W. Va., 

 1894; Atlanta, Ga., 1895; Indianapolis, Ind., 1896; Minneapolis, Minn., 1897; 

 Dallas, Texas, 1898; Colorado Springs, Colo., 1899; Boston, Mass., 1900; 

 Sioux Falls, S. D., 1901; Macon, Ga., 1902. 



The place of meeting of the National Farmers' Congress in 1903 was 

 Niagara Falls, N. Y., and began September 22, 1903, and continued 

 four days. 



In accordance with instructions of the meeting for preliminary ar- 

 rangements for the organizing of a Farmers' Congress of Indiana, held 

 in Indianapolis on January 8, 1903, Joshua Strange, chairman of that meet- 

 ing, issued a call to the presidents of the County Farmers' Institutes and 

 some others for a meeting to be held in Room 12 at the State House at 

 10 a. m. on February 3, 1903. 



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