TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



59 



RECIPROCITY AND OTHER TREATIES. 



M. Theodore Kearney, of Fresno, submitted the following resolution: 



Whereas, Congress is about to be called upon to consider and approve reciprocity 

 and other treaties with numerous foreign States, which treaties will materially reduce 

 the tariff on many of the leading products of this State, such as dry and sparkling 

 wines, ports, sherries; citrus, dried, preserved, and fresh fruits; raisins, nuts, olive oil, 

 and beet sugar; which reductions of tariff will expose these leading and growing indus- 

 tries to most unfair and ruinous competition ; and 



Whereas, It is desirable to remind our lawmakers that in California the United States 

 possesses a region unequaled in the world in the extent and variety of its natural 

 resources, which if developed under wise laws and the fostering care of our National 

 Government will support a population as great as that of Great Britain, France, or 

 Germany; and 



Whereas, In view of our geographical position and the great possibilities of future 

 trade along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the rapid development of this great wealth 

 is of the utmost importance to the strength and glory of this Nation, and cannot be 

 successfully carried on while capital is exposed to loss through an unwise changefulness 

 and meddling with our tariff laws ; and 



Whereas, The Republican party and the present administration have received the 

 cordial and hearty support of the people of California, as shown by the State's greatly 

 increased Republican representation in Washington, which support was given on our 

 faith in the promises and pledges of this great party, through its leaders and its press, 

 that all our industries should, by tariff legislation, receive ample protection, to the end 

 that they may be stimulated to their greatest development ; 



Now, therefore, We, the fruit-growers of the State of California in convention, assem- 

 bled, do with all due respect, but firmly and earnestly, call upon our Senator and our 

 Representatives to urge upon our honored President and upon Congress as a matter of 

 sound policy, and demand as a matter of common right and justice, that no reductions 

 whatever be made or allowed in our present tariff laws which will directly or indirectly 

 reduce the protection under which we are now working and which has brought us all 

 prevailing and unexampled prosperity. 



Adopted. 



CO-OPERATION AMONG THE FARMERS AS APPLIED TO 

 THE RAISIN INDUSTRY. 



Address by M. THEODORE KEARNEY, of Fresno, 

 President and General Manager California Raisin-Growers' Association. 



Fellow Fruit-Growers : The question how shall we market our 

 crops so as to produce the best results is one that is attracting the 

 greatest attention among the fruit-growers of California. Having had 

 some experience in endeavoring to solve the problem for the benefit of 

 the raisin-growers, there has been a considerable demand made upon 

 me for information concerning the methods adopted by us, and I there- 

 fore desire, with your permission, to avail myself of the very favorable 

 medium of the proceedings of this convention in meeting this demand. 



Raisins have been produced in California for many years, but it was 

 not until 1885 that the quantity reached the round figure of 10,000,000 



