PAET SECOND. 



THE FARMERS GREAT AWAKENING. 

 CHAPTER VIII. 



THE FARMERS IN COUNCIL. 



&quot; The day in coming, aye, it is near, when working men Bhall rule this nation.&quot; David 

 crick. 



GATHERING OF THE CLUBS ME. HYATT S TELLING REPORT ON SHIPPING PROPO 

 SAL FOB A CONVENTION EXPRE&SIONS OF OPINION A SUMMARY OF COM 

 PLAINTSORGANIZATION OF THE FARMERS UNION AT SACRAMENTO FRAUDU 

 LENT WHEAT QUOTATIONS. 



DURING the years 1871-2, the farmers of California began to 

 feel the necessity of combining for their own protection and 

 improvement. The feeling of discontent with their condition, 

 and the conviction that their difficulties were not inseparable 

 from their calling, was almost universal. The wheat growers 

 had the largest interests at stake, and were mostly concerned 

 in the question of reducing the cost of transportation, but the 

 fruit growers were even more strongly resolved to strike for free 

 dom from the exactions and combinations of middle-men^ who, 

 they insisted, were receiving the lion s share of the profits. The 

 farmers seemed everywhere fully awake to the idea that an 

 intelligent cooperation could best be effected by associations 

 confined to those engaged in agriculture. A club was gathered 

 in Sacramento on the 7th of December, 1871, and from this time 

 onward the work of organization proceeded rapidly. Stockton 

 drew to its club the intelligent, farmers of the San Joaquiu, 

 and elected Dr. Holden as their President. At Oakland a 

 &quot; Farming,, Horticultural and Industrial Club &quot; was formed, for 

 improvement in the theory and practice of agriculture, horticult 

 ure, and other industrial and domestic pursuits, which was pro- 



