The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-01-27
BELMONT FARMERS.
MEETING OF THE COUNTY CLUB.
A Large Attendance and an IatorsstIng soS'
siou-Ths Question of Reforming tho
Road Laws Fruitful TOpio-sOme
Other Features of tho Meeting.
sp.etal cprsponaeno. o, ne In.elIioner.

Special COTnpoHdenes OF ne IntelIi0aeT.
ST. CLAIRsvILLE, O., Jan. 26.-Th
large hall in the basement OF Bslmon
county's new Court House was crowde
to-day with the representative farmers Q
the county. On the stage sat James h
Denham, the handsome President Of tn
Belmont County Farmers Club. At tn
table on the left were the Secretary ant
Treasurer OF the club, Messrs. ]. B. Nc
Mschen and Henry B. Morgan. Precisely
at 10 o'clock A. N. the President called 10
order. Abeautiful selection was rendered
by the glee club. Mics Jessie MortoI
oficiated at the organ, which had beer
kindly loaned by Mr.. F. W. Baumer, o
Wheeling.
After prayer by Rev. Mr.. Bslph, Of the
United Presbyterian church, the Prssi
dent consumed about an hour in an ad
dress OF welcome. Mr.. Denham's remarkI
were in q peculiarly happy and appro
pirate style, and he at once stole his way
into the hearts OF his hearers.
Atl1 o'clock the Institute proceeded
with permanent organization, Rs follows:
President, ]. II. Denham.
Vice Presidents, Smith Hurst, L. N,
Branson, Thomas Emerson, Nathan Mich.
OILS, Calvin Pollock, A. O. RamRge, Henry
Neff, Frederick Ault, 7. O. Mercer and
Secretaries, J. B. McMechen, J. B.
LongIey and r. O. Meyer.
The following ushers were appointed,
George Steenrod, II. q. Ault. W. l. Sut-
ton, D. @. Alexander, E E. EnoCh, VIM.
7, Hewetson and A. w. Kennon. At 1:l5
r, II. the regular programme was taken up.
The first topic was the discussion OF the
Road Laws Of Ohio. The question was
opened by the Hon. A. 7. McKelvey, and
discussed by T. ]. Henderson, OF Wheel.
ing Township, ]. W. Nichols, Esq, Hon.
VIM. Bundy, r. E. Giffen and ]. 7. Young.
While each speaker ct first sight seemed
to have conflicting views Of the question,
yet they all sgreed in branding the pres
ent system OF public roads as inadequate
and inefficient. A great many plans were
suggested by the various speakers. Some
were in favor OF township trustees and
pro rata taxation on property holdeas.
Others again advocated universal poll
tax. Mr.. McKelvey, who has given the
question great deal OF diligent study and
attention, spoke at greatest length on the
subject. He was able to set forth not
only his own views, but also those OF q
majority OF the State Legislators, with
whom he has conferred at Columbus. The
following is synopsis Of his speech:
Mr.. McKelvey presented the Road ques-
ton with the remark that 1t was q quea.
tion Of more vital importance to the
farmers Of Ohio than any other question
aRitating the minds OF thoughtful men
to-day, unless 1t be the other important
question with which 1t Is closely allied
viz: the question Of taxation.
He said through all the marvellous
changes wrought by the inventions Of the
nineteenth century; through all the won.
dsrEul advances in the arts and sciences,
our centennarian road System in all its
primatiVe simplicity, and with all It's i'm
perfeCtions, remains unchanged. He
thought that IS we stand upon the thresh-
hold Of the second century in the history
of Ohio, 1t was @ fitting occasion 10 bury
forever from our sight road system that
has long outlived its days Of usefulness.
He spoke approvingly OF the action Of the
conference held in the House OF Repre-
sentatives on Wednesday last upon the
framing OF o new Road law. This he
summarized briefly:
The conference decided to,
First-Abolish the present law.
Second-Abolish the Office Of aub.dis-
trict Supervisor.
Third-Oreate the Office Of Township
superintendent officer to be appointed by
the Township Trustees and amenable to
them.
Fourth-Rsquirs all work done by con-
tract or under the supervision OF the Town
ship Trustee.
FiAh-Permit farmers to discharge
their road tax by work on the public high
way contract or under the supervision Of
the Township Supervisor.
Sixth-Abolish the two daya' labor
clause because the law is imperative.
A law, such ss he had briefly outlined,
he believed would contribute immeRsurs-
bly, to the comfort and convenience OF the
farmer; would add increased facilities for
trade and traffic to the merchants and
manufacturers and would be priceless
blessing to the wsgs workers and the pub.
lie at large.
At 2:S0 Mr.. Edward Reed, OF Bridge
port, o., began talk upon "small
Fruits" he gave as reason for the su-
periority Of Belmont county products the
following solution: That upon them were
expended Q practical experience, indus
try and fertilization. Mr.. Reeds discourse
was lnteppersed with bright flashes Of
humor, which won him constant atten-
ton, while every one listened as eagerly
for the sound and practical points Of his
talk.
The programme OF this evening was
made up OF recitations and personations
by Miss Ella ]. McBurney, Of New Castle,
Pa, and lecture by Rev. O. E. Manches.
ter, Of Barnesville, o., formerly Of Wheel.
ing, on "Three Years Campaigning Of 9