CHAPTER XXIX. 



THE NORTH-WESTERN FARMERS CONVENTION 

 AT CHICAGO. 



THE CALL, ATTENDANCE, AND ORGANIZATION. 



On October 22d and 23d, 1873, a Convention composed of 

 about three hundred delegates from Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, 

 New York, Indiana, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Canada, was 

 held in McCormick s Hall, Chicago, assembled at the call of the 

 Illinois State Farmers Association. Mr. James M. Allen, 

 of Illinois, was elected to preside, and Mr. S. M. Smith and 

 Mr. S. T. K. Prime were chosen Secretaries. All speeches 

 were limited, by resolution, to ten minutes. 



Mr. Flagg, President of the Illinois State Farmers Asso 

 ciation, read a communication from the Senate Transporta 

 tion Committee, then about to hold a sitting at St. Louis, 

 expressing their desire to confer with any delegates whom 

 the Chicago Convention might appoint. 



Mr. Norton, of Nebraska, offered a resolution, which was 

 adopted, providing for the appointment of a committee of 

 three citizens of Illinois, to report to the Convention the effect 

 upon producers and shippers, of the legislation on railroads 

 in Illinois, and whether they advise similar legislation in all 

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