Committee on Transportation Jastreniski, Wright, Culver. 



On motion of Commissioner iastrernski, that he be relieved of the 

 chairmanship of the Committee on .^Transportation, he was made chairman 

 of the Committee on Resolutions, and Commissioner Culver was made 

 chairman of the Committee on Transportation, the chairmen being 

 changed from one to the other. 



ATLANTA, GA., Oct. 26th, 1899 



At noon the convention was called to order by President Stevens, the 

 members having returned from the presentation of the sword to Lieuten- 

 ant Brumby at the capitol. 



A paper was read by Commissioner Hill of Arkansas. 



The following resolution was read by Commissioner Jastremski : 



Whereas, The survival of sugar cane in the Gulf States through the unprece- 

 dented cold weather of last February, has demonstrated the practicability of increas- 

 ing largely the area of sugar cane culture in said States, thereby saving to the country 

 vast annual expenditures for foreign sugars ; and 



Whereas, Many cotton planters would find greater profit in substituting sugar 

 cane culture for cotton culture ; and 



Whereas, Such substitution would, by consequent reduction in the excessive 

 yield of cotton, improve the price of the latter product; and 



Whereas, Authenticated reports lead this assemblage of State Commissioners of 

 Agriculture to believe that the Amazonian departments of Peru produce sugar cane of 

 vast tonnage, yield and vitality greater than any other variety now cultivated in the 

 South: and 



Whereas They are also informed that the same and other departments produce 

 prolific kinds 1 of cotton of .various colors and hues, which would be advantageous in 

 the manufacture of cloths, and mre profitable to the cotton growers of the South 

 than most of the varieties they now plant ; and 



Whereas, The improvement in the species of sugar cane and cotton planted in the 

 South would greatly assist our agricultural interests and contribute to the wealth and 

 commerce of the entire country ; be it therefore 



Resolved, That this assembly of State Commissioners of Agriculture do hereby 

 most earnestly request the Honorable James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture of the 

 United States, to promptly secure conclusive information upon the reports referred 

 to, and if such reports be satisfactorily verified, that he be further requested to obtain 

 ample supplies of the said cane and cottons and appertaining lints, in order that 

 experimental plantings, etc., of a general character may be made at the State experi- 

 mental stations and by planters and by farmers in the sugar cane and cotton growing 

 sections of the South. 



Be it further resolved, That the secretary of this assembly be requested to for- 

 ward a copy to the Honoreble James Wilson of the preceding preamble and resolution. 



The following resolution was read by Commissioner Bedhead: 



Whereas, The agricultural classes of our Cotton States will expect some message 

 from us, be it 



Resolved, That the president issue,an address to our people, setting forth that the 

 independence and prosperity of our farmers depend largely upon diversifying their 

 farm products, to the end of making their farms self-sustaining and making their 

 money crops a surplus. 



The following resolution was read by Commissioner Jastremski: 



Whereas, Justice to the buyer of cotton and justice to the grower of cotton, alike 

 suggests that reports of the condition of cotton during the period of cultivation and of 

 the probable yield thereof, should emanate from sources of the most reliable character 

 and 



Whereas, The cotton markets are largely governed by reports made by calcula- 

 tors on the one hand and by Federal and State correspondents on the other, who are 

 responsible to no authority for the accuracy of their reports or estimates of crops : ani 



Whereas, The belief is current that the cotton grower is the principal sufferer 

 from the calculations and reports referred to ; and 



Whereas, The necessity is apparent for the creation of a system of official reports 

 emanating from officials upon whom responsibility can be placed for the accuracy of 

 their reports and estimates of cotton and their crops ; therefore, be it 



Resolved, That the Cotton States Association of Commissioners of Agriculture do 

 hereby earnestly petition the Governors and Legislators of the South to enact laws 

 requiring the county tax assessors to report at stated times to the State Commissioners 

 of Agriculture of their respective States the number of acres devoted to the cultiva- 

 tion of cotton and other products ; the condition of said products during the period of 

 cultivation : estimates of the yield thereof; the shipments thereof; and such other 

 information relating thereto as may be deemed useful. 



Resolved further, That the said reports of county assessors should be made on 

 blanks of uniform character furnished by said State Commissioners of Agriculture ; 

 and it shall be the duty of said Commissioners of Agriculture to compile the said re- 

 ports of the county tax assessors monthly and to publish said compiled reports and to 

 transmit copies thereof to the president of the association for general compilation and 

 promulgation. 



