PROCEEDINGS OF NINETEENTH FRUIT GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



9 



unless they have more prosperous seasons than the past few, can ill 

 afford to bear it. When I was a small boy, or about the time of the 

 introduction of the free school system into Pennsylvania, it was quite 

 common in the winter months to have at those schools young men from 

 twenty to thirty years of age taking their first ABC lesson. People at 

 that time and in that state of ignorance were more industrious, less 

 vicious, and there was less insanity than at the present time. We spend 

 over forty per cent of our revenues for education, and yet have staring 

 us in the face a rapid increase in the percentage of crime, of insanity, of 

 idleness, and of every sort of bad doing. This is discouraging and does 

 not offer much encouragement to our energies in supporting the present 

 systems. A sound political policy to be pursued would, in my judgment, 

 be to foster, protect, and encourage the industrious citizens. The fruit 

 industry of the State is by far the most important, because it furnishes 

 labor to a greater number than any other industry. It employs a great 

 number of children, of women, of men not able-bodied, as well as the 

 able-bodied, enabling them to make comfortable homes. 



In concluding my remarks, I enjoin upon all the fruit-growers to 

 interest themselves in their representatives to the next Legislature, and 

 give them all the information that will enable them to act intelligently 

 regarding the necessities of the fruit industry. We must keep up our 

 State Board and increase its efficiency, in order to insure to the State 

 that degree of prosperity which is possible, and as an equivalent to the 

 individual fruit-growers that will compensate them for the amounts 

 expended and the care and energy given in the business. 



On motion, the following committee on the President's address was 

 appointed by the convention, with instructions to report Wednesday 

 afternoon: Messrs. D. T. Fowler of Fresno, T. W. Madeley of Placer, and 

 H. P. Stabler of Sutter. 



A recess was then taken till 1:30 o'clock p. m. 



The convention was called to order at 1 :30 o'clock. President Cooper 

 in the chair. 



President Cooper: I will now announce the appointment of the 

 committees provided for by the rules of the convention, as follows: 



committee on president's address. 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. 



On Transportation. 



H. Weinstock, of Sacramento, 

 Frank H. Buck, of Yacaville. 



D. T. Fowler, of Fresno. 

 Gen. N. P. Cnipman, of Red Bluff. 



J. Z. Anderson, of San Jose. 

 X. W. Motheral, of Hanford. 



George D. Kellogg, of Newcastle. 



B. F. Walton, of Yuba City. 

 H. P. Stabler, of Yuba City. 

 Major C. J. Berry, of Yisalia. 



