Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-02-28
The Farmers Convention.

Mfr. Editor The purpose of my brief arti-
Gle in your paper OF the 7;h instant, was ex-
pressed in the concluding paragraph We
wish Ito hear what may be said for and
against the calling of the suggested County
Assembly" TO consider the subjects of taxa
ton and expenditure. The columns OF the
Sentinel have since been silent on the topic,
from which infer that il and its correspou-
dents, If not actually in favor of its PROPOSE
ton, are, at least willing to wait and watch
the result | infer that neither the editor nor
those to whom the columns Of his paper are
open are opposed to such an assembly and
that they do not think, as writer in the AdUo-
cate apprehends, that the Democratic party is
the object of attack.
The Farmers Convention" which ad op,ed
the resolution mentioned by me, was not
political convention, nor political machine
1t has been holding its annual meeting for Il
number Of years, and some OF the most inIell-
gent and practical men OF all parties from differ
ent parts of the county have assembled there in
agreeable and harmonious discussion of topics
pertaining to their pursuits and receiving and
| giving Information and encouragement in the
various branches of practical agriculture
| The meeting referred to vas composed of men
of different parties. saw Democrats there
possessed of not less sagacity and foresight
than 'H h., /" not one of whom opposed the
| resolution; not Que suggested that our action
would be construed into an attack upon the
| Democratic party not one suggested that the
| Convention was treading on dangerous ground
| they all approved the resolutions which were
| adopted unanimously. The Democrats and
| Republicans who composed that convention
united heartily in opinion that subject wei!
worthy of consideration had been brought be-
| fore them--that it would be well to ascertain
whether q convention of the taxpayers of our
unity should be assembled TO consider their
| interests. Every gentleman, except one, with
whom | have conferred on the subject has
favored it, and DOLLY that one has made any
political reference respecting it.
| A lengthy communication in the Advocate
of the 10th instant, signed H. H - opposed
the proposition and brings the question of
party politics into it. While regret this
reference, for | think party politics has moth
| ing to do with the matter, yet, as discussion is
desirable, il is we'll to have all the views which
different minds can suggest whether pertinent
| or not, for therein lies The life OF discussion
and open opposition can be fairly met Ii is
| not necessary just now to discuss the whole of
the article referred TO, but | will SAY few
words on the political aspect presented.
III. II. attempts TO alarm the timid and un-
rejecting, and to excite partisan opposition !;
at least, these are the tendencies of his arti-
Gle. Referring to mine, to the resolutions,
and TO 1.-The various and lengthy commun lea
tons TO the papers, on the subject of taxa
ton and expenditure be says, 1.-THE whole
thing begins TO put on dim resemblance to
VOTE TRAP, baited with the usual amount Of
big words aud fine promises" and charges
that it is an attack GU tile Democratic party
| This positively contradict, SO far as the OBJ
jects of the proposed convention are concerned
| which is all that | have TO do With at the
present. If ''H. H. and others who may
have concurrent views with him, invite or pro-
woke attack, they will do what has not been
desired or contemplated by the advocates of
the convention We have our Democratic
conventions and our Republican convention,
in each OF which what pertains 10 their re-
| spective organization is discussed and man
| aged. We have our County Agricultural So
ciety, ir which men of all shades Of political
opinion unite in the furtherance Of its OBJ
jects--all having a common interest there.
We do moi work our farms or practice ural
economy from any political usage or stand
point. Ia carrying the burdens OF the State
they are distributed Unfortunately on all,
whether Democrats or Republicans, therefore
ALL irrespective of party bias and organiza-
lion, ARE interested in the subject and may act
coucurrently. Why then should we not meet as
| the County Agricultural Society met lately
Changers and not Changers and
| Democrats and Conservatives, and discuss
what concerns us all2 And If Democrat
| puts forth his "cut aud dried resolutions, -
and II Republican puts forth his, let the con-
vention discuss and consider both sets, and
determine which if any we're worth emitting
and drying, and adopt those on which it ma
| so decide.
The questions to be discussed arc not part y
questions. They rise far above mere party
| they concern the interest and prosperity Of the
Stale in which we are oil involved and n con-
veniion of all the people is proper body in
which to discuss them
have not stated, nor will at this time at
| tempt - seek the causes Of onrincreased taxa
ton and expenditure. If, as said in my first
| article, ''these increases of taxation and ex-
peuditure are the inevitable and natural re-
| suit Of the growth of the county in wealth
and population the people will qnetly sub
nit and strive TO labor courageously and as
sidnously to meet their responsibility. But If,
as "H II - saws, 'the true canse of the large
| annual expenditure and consequent heavy
| taxation is TO he found in the system Of gov
eminent we as a people have undertaken to
sapporr' and IT, as he says, ait is useless
and foolish to sttempt. to stop the rate from
increasing so long as The present system OF
government is in force" then let US see what
we can do to alter the system SO as to render
1t less oppressive.
With some of the leading men Of both
political parties | advocate the call Of this
convention. and believe il will be called.
| Neither pariy will he invited to attend il, but
all taxpayers will be. ] expect to attend it
as an humble taxpayer, and if the Democrats,
adopting the suggestion Of "H. H." will not
attend what he is pleased TO call 'mongret
convention" for fear that Govt Of the conven-
ton and its resolutions and its speeches and
the presence in ii of Democrats, thunder-bolis
will be forged TO hurl at the head of the luck
less Democracy 10 the next campaign" 80 he IT..
BIT have 20 apprehension of there being any
such absenteeism There IL a sufficient num-
her OF intelligent Democrats in the county TO
give The party a very fair representation, and
if the fears of IN. H." about the thunder
| bolts" should he realized, | think the party
will find conductors of sufficient capacity and
attractive power 10 carry the fluid harmlessiy
10 the ground. II the convention shall bring
| forth tHs mouse the nibbiing he may do
before he is trapped viii not hurt much and
| II IL brings forth an elephant, we shall see
who and now many will rush 10 mount bin.
G. A.