244 THE GROUNDSWELL. 



horticultural, or industrial association of the State of Illinois, to 

 send delegates for every thirty-three members, and fraction in excess 

 of that number, (Provided, That every organization shall be entitled to 

 at least one delegate), to an Illinois Farmers State Convention, to be 

 held in the City of Bloomigton, Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 15 

 and 16, 1873, commencing at 9 A. M. on Wednesday, with three ses 

 sions each day at 9 A. M., 2 P. M., and 7 P. M. 



The purpose of said Convention is to perfect the organization made 

 at Kewanee, by the formation of a State Farmers Association from 

 said delegates, adoption of a constitution, and for securing the organ 

 ization and representation of associations in every county, and, if 

 possible, in every township, of the State ; to discuss and insist upon 

 reform in railway transportation, the sale of agricultural implements, 

 the sale of farm products by commission merchants, and such other 

 abuses as have grown up in our midst, and are now taxing and im 

 poverishing producers and consumers; and to transact such other 

 business as may be brought before the Convention. 



OPENING OF BUSINESS. 



This call was earnestly responded to, and the assemblage 

 of delegates was a large one. A temporary organization 

 was effected by the election of Hon. L. D. Whiting, of 

 Bureau Co., as chairman, and Mr. S. M. Smith, of Henry 

 Co., and S. P. Tufts, of Marion Co., as secretaries. Mr. 

 Whiting stated the grievances of the people, and some of 

 the propositions for a remedy. Coming from the source 

 whence they did, his remarks are worthy of recapitulation. 

 He alluded to the fact that, in response to the Executive 

 Committee, he had left his public duties to meet the associa 

 tion, again to testify his sympathy with the purposes of the 

 convention, and catch inspiration from its spirit. He said : 



&quot; This is an age and an era of organization. We behold it, and feel 

 its effects in various ways. Nearly every profession, calling, and 

 pursuit, except our own, associate, organize, and combine, to promote 

 their interests. The agriculturists, isolated and scattered, away from 



