The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-03-08
sykesyirIe Hama

There was unloaded here on Tuesday. last
l5-horse power 'sGeiser7 traction enq;ne
for Mr.. Frank Brown. Quite number al
prominent citizens were present to see the
machine start. Steam was very quickly got.
ten up, when Mr.. Frank Schowl, of Waynes-
boro', an expert engineer, skilfully handled
the throttle and guide wheel, and took the
machine triumphantly through the town.
mounting with ease the high hill beyond, and
10 iIr twenty-five minutes was safely landed on
Springfield farm. Allpresent were greatly
pleased with the way the Geiser worked, and
saw power that must shortly take the place
OF the horse on all well ordered farms. Mr..
Brown intends the machine for general use
on his farm. This is probably the first one
used in this county for all kinds of farm work.
Mr.. Brown is one of the most progressive
farmers in the state, and intends to keep pace
with the times Many farmers will be at
tracted to Springfield this spring to see this
wonderful engine. 1t will indeed be novel
SIGHT to see an engine crossing the ploughed
helds with three or four large harrows follow
ing in its wake. Mr.. j. d. Linton, the enter
prislng agent, informed US that their orders
for 1884 will greatly exceed their most san
gulne expectations, and we expect soon to see
the traction engine as common on the farm as
the self binder
Winter has worked its way back here again,
and the people are enjoying short season of
sleighing. "Old Prob must certainly be a
politician, as his predictions are not very re-
liable.
We still ask for another school term and
more schoolhouses. The book fees we find
little objection to from those who are able to
pay. Many, we contend, are not able to pay
these fees. 1t is true, as you say, "that it is
a misfortune to be poor" but remember that
with misfortune generally comes houseful
of children. The laborer with his one dollar
per day finds it hard work and many denials
to clothe and feed his little ones, and then
when he pays his book fees, in so-called
free school, claim that he is taxed, and taxed
heavily, for all he gets. Now, the leave for
bill to increase the taxes for the benefit of
the public schools emanated we have been
informed, from the School Board of Carroll
county. These gentlemen have probably
better means Of knowing what the county
wants in that respect than the majority of the
taxpayers do, and we know, too, that any
citizen has right to criticise the action of
men in public places, yet we believe the ma
jority will sustain them in their petitions for
more money. We heartily endorse the FIVE
branches of study you limit, and think them
sufficient. You are right, too, in saying that
the people of the county should be made ac-
quainted with the contents of all local bills
brought before the General Assembly. You
give much valuable space to your correspon-
dents, who could give the opinions of their
localities on the different measures. We get
but skeleton of the news from Annapolis.
We did, it is true, get full report in the
dailies of the "Colts' Ball."
On Friday night last a literary and musical
entertainment was given at St. Paul's NJ. E.
Church, which, we hope, will be repeated.
Many were prevented from attending by the
extreme cold weather. The exercises were
excellent. Carroll and Howard counties sup
piled the talent.