The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1886-02-10

do not regard it in the same light as
they do other money derived from
other sources.
Let the Department be brought
into closer and more intimate rela-
tons with the people. Let them see
more of it's workings and feel direct
w more of it's benefits. Let them see
more practical results-let them feel
in short. that it is their Department
and that they are deriving benefit
from it aud their murmurings will
be changed into praise. 1t has been
suggested and even urged that the
Department should be abolished. If
a minister and the officers of a church
should so act as to displease the
members, should the church disband?
If a Governor should so conduct
himself as to displease the people,
should the Office of Governor be
abolished? This wonld be revolu-
ton and not reformation. THE Pro
GREssIvE FARMER believes now, as
heretofore, that a Department of Ag-
riculture, properly conducted, would
be of incalculable good to our people
and State. North Carolina cannot
afford to turn back in the onward
march of progress. The farmers cam
not afford to give up an institution
which can be of such great value to
them. The great Importance Of the
various subjects submitted under the
law, to the charge of the Department.
should enlist the deepest interest and
engage the best service of all patri-
otic men. This can be dono-this
will be done, if we heed the lessons
of experience and subject the man
agement of the Department to the
intelligent, progressive, practical men
who are identified mih the rdrious IN
dustr1es Of the State.
Let a convention be held in the.
city of Raleigh on the first Monday
in December of each year, to con-
tinue for a week, to be composed of
representative farmers and others
| engaged in the various branches of
agriculture, of manufacturers and of
all classes of our people. Let the
officers of the Department make a
detailed report of their work for the
year. Let these reportsbe discussed.
Let there be the fullest and freest
interchange of thought on any and
all subjects presented for the consid-
GRAFTON of the body. Every section
of the State and all her chief inter
interests would be represented and
especially those coming within the
limit of the law. Let the Board sit
with the body and participate in it's
proceedings. Let the Board hold its
annual meeting (the only one for
the year, the week following. They
are now fresh from the people and
are thoroughly informed as to the
necessities, etc, of each and every
section and interest. They now have
suggestions and views from the most
intelligent of all classes interested in
the improvement and development
of the State. Having all this before
them they will be enabled to map
out intelligently the work to be per-
formed by the various officers of the
Department for the year. They
should present an estimate of the
amount necessary to I'll the Depart
ment to the Legislature. The Leg
~islature should limit the expendi-
lures. The Commissioner should be |
appointed by the Legislature or
elected by the people and be held
responsible for the Performance of the
work imposed on the Department.
The Board should be so constituted
as to represent every section and all
the leading industries or interests of
the State. None but practical men,
identified ruth me on more of these IN
~terests, should be eligible as a men,
Der of the Board. Let there be but
member from each Congressional
District on the Board, thus giving
an equal and fair representation to
every section of the State. Let the.
Governor be er oticio Chairman of
the Board.
This is very similar to the system
adopted in Pennsylvania and other
States, and is found to work admir-
ably, the most valuable feature being
the annual meeting of the intelligent
and more progressive men of all sec
lions, to exchange and present views
on the leading industries of the State.
Such a plan, we believe, would make
the Department one of the most pop
ular, as we'll as n of the most use
ful institutions in the State, because