MINUTES. 



ATLANTA, GA., October 24th, 1899. 



The Commissioners of Agriculture met this morning in the cham- 

 ber of commerce, at 11:30 o'clock, for the purpose of temporary organiza- 

 tion. 



The convention was called to order by Commissioner O. B. Stevens 

 of Georgia. 



Prayer was offered by Rev. C. P. Bridewell, pastor of the First Pres- 

 byterian church, Atlanta. 



The address of welcome was delivered on behalf of the State by 

 Governor Allen D. Candler of Georgia. 



An address of welcome on behalf of the city of Atlanta was delivered 

 by Mayor James G. Woodward. 



The response to the addresses of welcome was delivered by Commis- 

 sioner Leon Jastremski of Louisiana, who replied, representing Governor 

 Foster, of Louisiana. 



Hon. Frank Hill, Commissioner of Arkansas, nominated Commis- 

 sioner Leon Jastremski of Louisiana, for temporary chairman The vote 

 on the motion was unanimous, and Commissioner Jastremski was asked 

 to take the chair. 



Commissioner O. B. Stevens of Georgia, nominated Royal Daniel of 

 Atlanta, for temporary secretary, and the vote was unanimous. 



On motion of Commissioner Redhead of Mississippi, the following 

 committees were appointed by the chair : 



Committee on Permanent Organization Commissioners Redhead, 

 Hill, Stevens. 



Committee on Resolutions Culver, Patterson, Jastremski, the latter 

 name being placed on the list on motion of Commissioner Redhead, be- 

 cause Commissioner Jastremski occupied the chair. 



Before the committees were named, Commissioner Stevens moved 

 that the convention adjourn and the committees be named later, but the 

 motion was withdrawn at the request of other commissioners, as it was 

 stated that the convention had all the work before it that could possibly 

 be attended to, and it was important that all speed be made towards per- 

 fecting a permanent organization as soon as possible. 



Commissioner Redhead asked for information if the organization was 

 to be permanent, aud his inquiry brought the following motion from 

 Commissioner Hill, which was seconded by Commissioner Stevens: 



Resolved. That it is the sense of this meeting that we go into a permanent organ- 

 ization, with a view of holding a series of annual meetings of Agricultural Commis- 

 sioners of the Cotton States. 



This motion, after discussion, was referred to the Committee on 

 Permanent Organization. 



It was suggested by Commissioner Redhead of Mississippi, that mem- 

 bership should be limited to Commissioners of Agriculture only, but that 

 in addition a representation should be allowed from each congressional 

 district, say of one delegate, which would make the attendance larger and 

 which would secure more extended views. 



Commissioner Redhead of Mississippi suggested that the organization 

 could easily be made the coalition of all existing farmers' organizations, 

 and should be a Southern Farmers' Congress. 



Chairman Jastremski thought the purpose of the organization was 

 more to bring the commissioners of agriculture together than anything. 



