CLASSES OF OCCUPATIONS. 73 NUMBER AND PROPORTION OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE SEVERAL CLASSES OF OCCUPATIONS IN THE STATES AND TERRITORIES OF THE UNITED STATES, AS DEDUCED FROM THE CENSUS OF 1870. PART SECOND. THE FARMERS' GREAT AWAKENING. CHAPTER VIII. THE FARMERS IN COUNCIL. "The day is coming, aye, it is near, when working men shall rule this nation."-David Brɔdcrick. GATHERING OF THE CLUBS-MR. HYATT'S TELLING REPORT ON SHIPPING-PROPOSAL FOR A CONVENTION-EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION-A SUMMARY OF COMPLAINTS-ORGANIZATION OF THE FARMERS' UNION AT SACRAMENTO-FRAUDULENT WHEAT QUOTATIONS. DURING the years 1871-2, the farmers of California began to feel the necessity of combining for their own protection and improvement. The feeling of discontent with their condition, and the conviction that their difficulties were not inseparable from their calling, was almost universal. The wheat growers had the largest interests at stake, and were mostly concerned in the question of reducing the cost of transportation, but the fruit growers were even more strongly resolved to strike for freedom from the exactions and combinations of middle-men, who, they insisted, were receiving the lion's share of the profits. The farmers seemed everywhere fully awake to the idea that an intelligent coöperation could best be effected by associations confined to those engaged in agriculture. A club was gathered in Sacramento on the 7th of December, 1871, and from this time onward the work of organization proceeded rapidly. Stockton drew to its club the intelligent farmers of the San Joaquin, and elected Dr. Holden as their President. At Oakland a "Farming, Horticultural and Industrial Club" was formed, for improvement in the theory and practice of agriculture, horticulture, and other industrial and domestic pursuits, which was pre |