Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-02-02
REGULATIONS AND MUSIC.
Mr.. PARSONS ENTERTAINING TALK
ABOUT THE COW.
And a Red Letter Time Generally.
THE SPLENDID WEATHER.

THE SPLENDID WEATHER.
The Farmers Institute held last Thurs
day, Friday, and Saturday, i'll point of at
tendance and interest, was far in advance
of any of its predecessors, and in attrac-
tiveness maintained its high standard
The roads were in superb condition for
sleighing, the weather perfect, and the
full moon made the nights almost as
bright as day. These, with the sleighs
and sleds and the superior horses that
the farmers of to-day all have, made the
visit of those who drove in unusually
pleasant, and with the superior facilities
afforded by the trains to all within easy
reach of them, rendered transit to and
fro all that could be desired.
THE HALL
was perfect in accommodations afforded.
Six hundred comfortable chairs had been
put in, but Friday evening it was found
necessary to carry in a large number of
additional chairs. 1t was nicely heated,
and fairly lighted (the gas has not yet
been put in), the platform is roOmy and
pleasant, the tile flooring renders walking
over the floor comparatively nOiseless, the
acoustic properties and ventilation are
good, and altogether it is an admirable
hall for large assemblage of people.
Mr.. Thomas f. Clark, the Superinten-
dent of the building, took pains to do
what he fairly could to make the farmers
and their guests comfortable, and sue
ceeded admirably.
THE PRELIMINARIES.
The Institute assembled at IL o'clock
A. NJ, Thursday. The President (NIE J.
II. Denham) delivered an address of well
come, after which the organization was
completed, as follows: Vice Presidents -
Smith Hirst, L. NJ. Branson, VIM. Emer-
son, n. B. Nichols, Calvin Pollock, Hon.
A. c. Ramage, Henry Neff, T. c. Mercer,
Alex. Neff: Secretaries b. McMechan,
J. b. Longley, r. C. Meyer Geo Steen-
rod, II. II. Ault, VanDon Sutton, c. c.
Alexander, E. E. EnOch, w. T. Hewetson,
| u
look after the seating and comfort of the
people.
| AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Institute was called to order at
lis o'clock.
Hon. a. T. McKelvey was introduced
and delivered an address upon the Re-
vision of the Road Laws Mr.. McKelvey
has given this matter much diligent
study, and he presented practical and for
chile reasons for radical changes in our
methods of making and keeping up pub
lie highways.
He said through all the marvellous
changes wrought by the Inventions of the
nineteenth century. through all the won
derful advances in the arts and sciences,
our centennarian road system in all its
primitive simplicity, and with all its i'm
perfections, remains unchanged He
thought that as we stand upon the thresh-
hold-of the second century in the history
of Ohio, it was fitting occasion to 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 a new Road law This he
summarized briefly:
The conference decided to
First-Abolish the present law.
Second bOliSh the Office of sub-dis-
trict Supervisor.
Third-Create the office of Township
Supervisor-tha officer to be appointed
by the Township Trustees and amenable
to them.
Fourth-Require all work done by con-
tract or under the supervision of the
Township Trustees.
Fifth-Permitf farmers to discharge their
road tax by work on the public highway
by contract, or under the supervision of
the Township Supervisor.
Sixth-AbOliSh the two days labor
clause because the law is imperative.
He believes the road question is of
more importance to the farmers of Ohio
than any other, unless it be the question
of taxation, with which it is closely allied.
Mr.. McKelvey's address provoked con-
siderable discussion. J. W. Nichols and
j.. F. Young combatted the views of the
speaker.
Mr.. Edward Reed, of Bridgeport, read
a paper on Small Fruits. His paper was
well written, and closely listened to. Ex-
perience and careful cultivation, in his
opinion, will account for the superiority
of Belmont county fruits.
EVENING SESSION.
Miss Ella J. McBurney, of New Bright
on, Pa, entertained the audience for one
hour with recitatiOns and presentations,
J which kept the large assemblage inter
ested and in good humor. Her persona
tion of the Yankee farmer was especially
gOOd-the dialect and the laugh convuls-
ing her listeners.
Following Miss McBurney Rev. DIR. C.
f. Manchester delivered his lecture
"Three Years Campaigning of a Private
Soldier" DR.. Manchester protests that
it is no lecture, merely a talk. but in a
literary point of view, and in absorbing
, interest, it was the gem of the Institute
OHe pdSodSo Gilo plepdIdIlOH lOr DdUJle
and the battle-the firing on the picket
line, the long roll, the stern command
H"Fall inr' the forming of company lines
and then of regiments, and brigades, anG
divisions, and corps, the awful expectan
cy while standing in line at parade rest
1 awaiting the assault, the shock of battle
the carnage and the burial one of thu
most dramatic and thrilling pieces O.
t wOrd-painting we ever listened to. Tht
speaker is handsome and splendid speci