The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-26
The State Board of Agriculture.
Nashville Republican.

Governor Iorter's attitude toward the
State Board of Agriculture seems TO us to
challenge the attention of the friends OF the
board.
The Governor first excited the ire of the
State Board by neglecting to appoint one of
their number as Commissioner to the New
Orleans Exposition. Without undertaking
10 say whether 1t was Intentional or not, We
are forced to think this a slight.
In his last message to the General Assem-
bly,, we think he displays a significant lack
of judgment IN regard TO the management
and work OF the State Board in recommend
ing its reorganization; and in that reorgsni-
zStion giving the Governor the appointment
RI FIVE directors, and making the faculty OF
Purdue University mem bers OF the board.
The Indianapolis News, after approving
the Governors recommendations supple
ments them with the suggestion that sit
would be an excellent idea Tor the Indian
spolis Board of Trade to prepare and adopt
a memorial to the Legislature, indorsing
Governor Porter's recommendation, and
to propose, further, that the Presidents of
the Boards OF Trade OF the larger cities be
also made members ex oficio of the Agri.
cultural oard"-proposing, evidently, TO
retain enough Of the farmer element merely
to make it look respectable.
Let Us look at the next board as thus con-
stituted by Governor Porter aud his Indian
apolis colleagues. Here it is: Five directors
appointed by the Governor the faculty of
Purdue scientists, ten or fifteen IN number;
the Presidents of the Bosr1s OF Trade OF the
larger cities OF the State; few farmers to
finish out with, and make it look sgrieul-
turail To the average mind the whole thing
seems silly in the extreme.
The Journal, in its wisdom. denounces the
board as inefficient, and osll5 the members
self-perDetraiing mummies." "the butt OF
ricioule," absolutely incompetent" etc.
Now, in our experience, il takes farmers
to run fairs. Just how the addition of presi-
dents OF boards OF trade, or professors of col
legeS, or five wise men appointed By the
Governor, is going to add anything 10 the
mechanical and agricultural display OF the
State at its nnuAl fair, is more than can be
comprehended by the common mind.
The Indianapolis "kickers" have been
talking the board down. and doing every
thing they could TO make it unpopular and
to binder its growth because they can not
run il in their own interest. We do not
speak OF any but this disturbing element
which crops out through the two papers
named.
The Agricultural Board has labored under
great diticu ties, and has not done as well as
1t wished because of these hindrances. Ne
one regrets it more than the board.
Many vs luable changes might be made
and, wa hope, will be made by the new
board Just elected By the farmers of the
State. 1t is in bad taste, TO say the least to
unequivocally condemn the board before il
has been tied. 1t Is the peoples society.
and We object to the Legislature adopting so
chimericsl a suggestion as that OF Governor
Porter Farmers in the Legislature will, sc
TO speak, set down" on any such thing
Let the Representative from Rush look to il
that such an outrage be not perpetrated.