Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-12-17
WOODLAND FARMERS, CxsB
lEeported for The Alcxnndria GAzrrrEA

lReported for the Alexandria GAzErTE1
The Woodlawn Farmers Club met at
Midway, near Woodlawn, OH .ao 1lth OF
December, President Pierson in the chair.
40 article in Farm and Home, OF Fredcricks
burg, oy {. Fl. Pierson, was handed the
Secretary and read, pointing out defects in
the management cf the Farmers Assembly
ana the remedy. Some discussion was mad
on the subject and the opinion prevailed
that it would be difficult 10 make the orgeni.
cation effective for any real good to the
mass of farmers, but that thorough inter.
change Of views through the medium of the
agricultural journals would he more to the
purpose. The report OF the committee ap.
pointed at lsat meeting TO prepare resolu-
tl0ns IN reference 70 the State debt was read
by G.. Lukeas, and in the discussion CT the
same he gave his views at further length in
favor OF sn honest settlement OF the debt
reviewing what had been set forth in the
report and urging the great necessity Of
prompt action. He showed as in his own
case how this Incubus was y irkiug inufy to
the whole people. 1t was now twenty. seven
years since he bought property in Virginia
and had expended much in improvements,
while it would not now bring cost if sold.
Ma or Hine gave his position on The debt
question which he said was an extreme one
and he supposed would stir up opposition,
but found the tide was vita him. IL, sait,
the only way to pay the debt wag to pay it.
From the aatamants with which the news
papers had lately been teoulnc, it was quite
evident that the State could settle her
Indebtedness without difficulty If IN honest
aud determined effort WAS made 20 20 so.
A large amount Of delinquent taxes had
been RENTED which veg wrong il pr!uci.
pal and unjust to these who had p&ii their
taxes, and too much money had been Qr.
propriated for unWise and useless purposes
There was Il general expreasion, auG ell
who spoke were substantially in accortt-- 30
the report of the COMMITTEES was with :, fey
minor changes adopted as follows:
Mr.. President and members Of EVuoG!awn
Farmers Club-BefJre giving H. his club
the resolution we were appointed 4 pf:-
pare upon the question urGcr cUaei1era-
ton, viz The State debt, We wish 70 .r.. :.
few thoughts concerning it,
1st. That the present condition of the
State debt is doing the State more BARN at
the present limo than any other subject that
can be named. Ii keeps the capitalists f.cm
developing the rich mineral deposits that
are to be found IL suci; profusion 81! over
our State. 1t is in the way Of the manulaC-
turer for the reason that it will act IS & c:og
on every effort be may pG! forth. II biz.
ders the agricuturist from coming 10 invest
in our vacant lands, for he Knows full well
that it is lien on every foot Of property lie
may purchase, snd every improvement, lie
may make either as q necessity, OF for lie
purpose of making his home comfortable
and attractive. He wiis sbe assessed its fall
value, and then taxed SUM that will
amount to almost q fair rent FOR thnt
which ne has already paid for; snd still
i2rther, it has palalyzing effect upon ali
classes Of people and upon every industry
that is carried on in the State, un!ess we
should except the partisan politician. !"
Also, wherever Virginia is spoken OF it is
for any one having reasonable amount Of
pride for either the State Of their birth or
adoption to bear. Now, we do honestly as.
sert as our belief that the quickest way to
retrieve our lost credit is to make the most
favorable terms with our creditors that cir
cumstances will admit of, and pay honestly
and promptly what may be agreed upon 10
bring about this very much to be desired
condition of affairs Therefore, it is
Resoired, That we ask the CO operation OF
all lovers of honesty and prosperity in de-
manding of those chargeahle with the mat
ter prompt settlement Of the State debt,
and that there shall be no doubt about ac.
complshing what We demand at their hands,
We ask that they appoint State equal-
zation board to regulate real estate asses
ments between counties and have our taxes
promptly collected within the year for
which they are levied. We also insist that
they shall come down to strictly business
principles that they shall be more chary in
their appropriations and expenditures. AT
ter giving literally FOR State commissioner
Of agriculture let appropriations il that line
cease, al least until the State is ia better
condition financially. Give nothing to COL
leges under the pretezt of educating practi-
cal farmers, for, under the present system
that is all humbug. If you want practi-
cal farmers give them some CT our vacant
lands and compel them to make 9 living OF
starve Give nothing to agricultural fairs
either State or county. If they cannot be
| made self supporting they are certainly OF
no value to the working men of a bankrupt
State; aud, last, but not least, we think oul
State officials might receive smaller salaries
and still consider themsely well PAID, par
ticularly sif we may use the tax paying
farmers Income as standard. Legisla
| tors, give ear Be honest and jus. before
you are extravagant with our hard earned
means.
The question of sending a delegate to the
meeting at Charlottesville on the 18th inst
being brought up it was decided, instead
that copy of the report of the committe.
on the subject of the State debt should ht
sent to that body. An article in the Coun
try Gentleman detailing series of expert
ments in feeding sheep, by DR.. Toelker. wa