The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-12-06

10 nc butoI ~ LHo <DytS.
SIR: Having received notice from the Sec.
rotary of the Hartford county Agricultural aud
Mechanical Society, that there would be meet
ing of the stockholders of said association, in
Bel Air, on Monday, November 25th to devise
means whereby they could secure the thousand
dollars appropriated by the last Legislature to
our society, attended.
The proposition was made, in a resolution Of
fered by Col. L. II. Webster, TO assess each share
of stock 81, and empower the Directors to COL
lect the same. This was amended by the subs l.
tuition of a resolution offered by Judge Price, re-
questing instead of compelling members to pay
81 upon each share, and receive, as compensa.
ton therefor, tickets 10 the grand stand and
quarter stretch, 10 be used at the next exhibition.
Judge Prices resolution was carried and the
members will now have the privilege, if they de-
sire TO exercise it, of buying such tickets in adj
vance. The 81 900 will doubtless be raised, and
the State appropriation secured. | do not
propose TO criticize the means rcsorted to to Sc.
cure the appropriation, but merely wish to eX-
press my views on the subject of subsidies by
The State, out of the general tax fund, for the
benefit of any corporation whatever.
In common with many other tax payers of the
State, am decidedly opposed to State aid for
any but the plain and legitimate purposes of the
State government, such as our courts, our pub
lie schools, &c. l appreciate the advantages to
a county of we'll managed agricultural society,
in fostering spirit OF generous emulation among
farmers, Inc results Ol WHICH must enure 10
the benefit of all our citizens. | do not think il
iudicious, however, and 1t is certainly not i'm
partial to give State aid to farmers in one coun.
ty, who are enterprising enough, or rich enough
to establish an agricultural society, and with
hold it from counties not so favored by enter.
prise or wealth. Where agricultural societies
fail to be self-sustainng, they had better be ruled
out of existence. Only nine of the counties OF
the State have agricultural societies. These are
all aided by the State out of fund, the create
portion which is not paid by those counties but
from money raised in the city of Baltimore and
the remaining fourteen counties. The city OF
Baltimore alone pays fully one-half the taxes Of
the State and derives no benefit whatever from
the subsidies she is annually compelled to pay
to support agricultural societies in the coum,
ties.
Our State organization does not seem to bt
able to survive, for the want of sufficient aid
from the State, and why, then, should exceptions
be made in favor of certain counties and not tc
the State society as well? If it is fair to take
taxes from the people to benefit the farmers Of
one county to aid the agricultural interests o.
that county, why is it not equally just to appro
pirate State money to other counties for the
benefit of their roads, or to build railroads. which
are equally important 10 the farmers of sucl
counties?
Let this subject be put before our people, a.
the next general election, and let us ask our dele
gates to the Legislature to oppose subsidies o.
every kind. We should have no State tax, anC
if the peoples money were kept for Legitimate
purposes, our good old State would soon be en-
tireiy free of debt. and we would have no State
tax to pay. FARMER AND SToCKHoLDER.