Convention—discussion. 
1G3 
and dollars to the State Agricultural Soceity, ought to become a 
law; and that the bill for reducing the number, size and style of 
binding of the volumes now published by the State Agricultural 
and State Horticultural Societies, ought not to become a law.” 
President Stilson said he was glad to see these resolutions 
adopted with such unanimity. He believed the farmers should 
study their interests, as a class, more carefully, and then enforce 
such legislation as would foster, encourage and protect those inter¬ 
ests. Farmers could have more influence if they would assert their 
manhood and independence. The farmers of Wisconsin had made 
the railways obey the law and had established the principle of state 
control. Farmers had elected Judge Davis to the United States 
Senate from Illinois in spite of politicians. 
J. M. Smith thought farmers should not be governed by politics 
and politicians, but should see that able, honest and pure men 
were elected to public positions, that farmers ought to be firm, 
stand together and not be controlled by demagagues. 
Mr. Plumb said that farmers ought to resolve, and ought to per¬ 
sist in carrying their resolutions into effect; not be manipulated 
and controlled by those whose interests were not in harmony with 
theirs. 
Mr. Anderson said it was the duty of farmers to look to legisla¬ 
tion which would directly benefit them, and he was glad to see this 
convention instructing legislators in their duty. Farmers ought 
to work more in harmony as other interests do, and their influence 
would then be felt. 
Senator Campell said Mr. Anderson had struck the key note.. 
Farmers must work together, and stand by their friends, those 
.whose interests and sympathies were in harmony. The agricul¬ 
tural interest was the leading interest in this country, and eventu¬ 
ally must be the controlling power in shaping our legislation. Edu¬ 
cation and concert of’ action among farmers will effect this result. 
The great agricultural interests should be represented in the halls 
of state and nation by educated men of the agricutural classes. 
