The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-10
The Farmers Campaign In Maine.

The farmers of Maine have made
surprisingly strong and determined de-
mand upon the state government for an
experiment station. The Maine Farmer
gives us the following details regarding
the matter, which ought to interest the
farmers of Vermont:
"Three years ago the Penobscot County
Farmers Club, an intelligent and wide
awake organization from the ranks of the
sturdy farmers of that county, petitioned
the legislature for the establishment of an
experiment station, for the purpose of
protecting and promoting the agricultural
interests of the state. These farmers
were thoughtful, far-seeing men, looking
out for their own interests and for the
welfare of those who we're to come after
them. 1t was no spasmodic thought.
The agricultural committee, to whom the
petition was referred, would not even
place the matter before the legislature,
but gave 'the petitioners leave to with
draw They did withdraw, but not to
give it up. That petition meant some
thing. 1t represented desire on the part
of our intelligent farming community
to secure to themselves and the state an
institution which the public needs called
for. With this consciousness of right
prompting them in their actions, the re-
pulse received at the hands of the com.
mittee in no measure crushed out the de-
sire. The matter went back to the peo-
| pie, and another years deliberation dis
closed an almost unanimous demand
among the intelligent farmers of the
state for the movement. On the assem-
bling of the next legislature, over three
thousand petitioners, representing every
agricultural organization in the state,
made their wishes known by petitions,
again demanding that their rights be
recognized. In addition to this, resolu-
tions demanding the same were passed
by most of the agricultural societies and
farmers clubs, at farmers Institutes in
nearly every county, at subordinate and
! county oranges, and by the state grange
at its annual meeting. The matter was
presented in the senate. The agricultural
committee gave it most careful hearing
and reported in favor of the establishment
of an experiment station in connection
with the state college, with an annual ap-
preparation of FIVE Thousand dollars.
Though the matter was pending all
through the session we are free to state,
from a careful watch over 1t all the
while, that 1t received the studied atten-
tors for all that time. 1t was move
ment coming from the farmers, and 1t
could be sighted. 1t was sighted, and
all know how weak the support it re-
ceived. For once, the farmers were
aroused. In their might they had risen
up manfully and asked to be recognized,
and only to be ignored. A consciousness
of right cannot be stricken out by re-
buff. The demand for an experiment sta
ton has continued to intensity with every
defeat, and has continued to increase up
to the present moment. 1t is gratifying
to the friends of the movement to see
that this manly, straightforward demand
is beginning to be recognized as worthy
of attention. At the democratic state
convention at Bangor, in June last, a
resolution was adopted, without opposi-
ton, recommending the establishment of
an experiment station, and urging liberal
appropriations for agriculture. At the
Kennebec county republican convention
resolution was passed, and cordially
, supported, instructing its senators to q
support of an experiment station and Of
the state agricultural college. In view
of the cool indifference with which the
measure for the establishment of a sta
! tion was met two years ago by the officials
. representing this leading agricultural
county, this action is encouraging to al
friends of progressive agriculture. Al
the republican convention of Washington
county. held at Denpysyille. August IA
and largely attended, the nominees fol
senators were instructed to use their bes
efforts to establish an experiment sta
ton, and provide liberal appropriation
3 therefor, and to use all proper means tt
. promote and advocate the interests of ag
. riculture."