The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-12
GEORGIA FARM STATISTICS.
Interesting Letter from Hon Martin
Y. Calvin of Richmond

v. Calvin of Richmond.
AUGUSTA, GA, May S.-Editor Morning
Ns,ns. NV attention has been called several
times 10 the mention made by your wide
awake Atlanta correspondent to what is
Known as the Farm Statistics Actsn of
1859 with the enactment, of which had
something to do l have read what pur-
,1orts TO be extracts from letters written to
he honorable controller general by certain
,-eceivers of tax returns explaining the
dificulties attending the execution OF the
acts referred TO.
would have been content to let the Law
take its course, but for the fact that the
immersion seems to be general that it is
now and that am the author of the salute
in its entirety.
On the one hand, do not desire to wear
bonors which belong to some other gentle
man: on the other land, want the people
to understand the object had in view in the
adopted by the general assembly at its re-
cent session.
Observation and experiences had taught
me that Georgia was utterly lacking in
farm statistics. | wished to remedy this
evil. and it occurred to me to amend the
code, in item 10 Of section 920 aud section
1865 (b), so that something specific would be
required of the commissioner of agricul-
ture. In short, my aim was to provide for
a systemization Of the statistics contem-
plated by the act of 1S75a as it appears in the
Code of 1882.
As this is matter of special interest to
the people, beg to quote from the Code.
Item ~, section $780, as it is in tine Code
of 1882 reads as follows:
"a"
1t shall be the duty of the receiver of tax re-
turns, or the party acting as such, in each
county in this state, by the fifteenth day of July
In each year, to obtain from every taxpayer in
bis county a statement under oath of the acre
age planted by him or her in the different crops
grown in the county; also the products of any
manufactures in which he or she may be inter
ested, and other statistics, agricultural and me-
chanical, which may be valuable, as showing
the material resources of the state-the acreage
planted TO be taken for the current year and the
productions for the preceding year. Said state
ment by the taxpayer shall be obligatory upon
him.
The foregoing was amended to read as
follows:
3d."
1t shall be the duty Of the receiver of tax
returns or the person acting as such, in each
county In this state, by the fifteenth day of
July in each year, to obtain from every tax
payer in his county a statement under oath in
conformity to the blanks furnished said re-
ceiver by the commissioner of agriculture, of
Jne acreage planUou Oy MIN or ner IN tD6 ultfer-
emf crops grown in the county; also, the pro-
ducts of any manufactures in which he or she
may be interested, and other statistics, agricul-
tural and mechanical, which may be valuable
as showing the material resources of the state,
the acreage planted to be taken from the cur
rent year. and the productions for the preced-
ing year. Said statement shall be obligatory
upoa him.
Section 1865 h), as it is in the Code of
1882, reads as follows:
&C"
1t shall be the duty of the commissioner of
agriculture of this state to- furnish the tax re-
ceivers of the several counties with the neces-
Sary books or blanks for taking the returns
duties required In said item shall be performed
under his instructions, and said returns for
warded to the commissioner on or before the
first day Of August in each year.
The foregoing was amended to read as
follows:
3D."
It shall be the duty of the commissioner of
agriculture of this state, through the controller
general, to furnish the tax receivers of the
several counties with the necessary books or
blanks for taking the returns provided for in
item IL of section $50; and the duties re-
quired in said item shall be performed under
the commissioners Instructions; and said re-
turns shall be forwarded to the commissioner,
through the controller general, on or before the
list day of August in each year. The commits
Sioner of agriculture shall carefully tabulate
said returns and present them in detail in his
biennial report.
"B" and sd" represent the law now of
force. In pursuance of this law, the honor
able commissioner of agriculture has pre-
pared blanks which, being filed, will give
fairly accurate and reliable statistics.
The act of 1875, as embodied in the sec
lions OF the Code quoted, requires that re-
turns be made under oath. With that
provision 1 had nothing to do; it was
enacted seven years before my day in the
general assembly. 1t is a simple require
ment. The person making the return
swears that. Ito the best of his knowledge
and belief" it is correct. The facts sought
TO be elected are for information; not for
purposes of taxation.
1t is said the law provides no penalty for
noncompliance with its provisions Such
provision would seem to be unnecessary.
Why should it be supposed that a farmer or
manufacturer in Georgia would decline or
refuse to give the information desired by
the state for the good Of all the people IN
less deferred by severe penalty?
The sole purpose of the original act 1878
and of the amendments proposed by myself
is to elicit information that will prove of
great value to the people Of the entire state /;
for whatever gives Georgia becoming
place in the eyes of the union and of the
world must rebound to the advantage of
every citizen of the commonwealth.
A few months ago we commissioned
delegation of intelligent gentlemen to visit
the state of Ohio-for what purposes To
direct attention to Georgia as home for
buckeye farmers who might be anxious
to escape the rigorous winters which prevail
throughout the west. The special mission
of this delegation, travelling with eyes and
ears open, was to tell the people of Ohio
about Georgia's fertile soil, which will pro-
duce almost any of the crops of the world !;
to tell of our salubrious climate-a climate
so mild that one can work the year round
In his shirt sleeves.
These talks we're made. Let us suppose
the case of a well-to-do farmer who was
impressed by them. The admirably painted
picture of Georgia, as we know and love
her, grows upon him. He writes Col. Hen
derson, the commissioner of agriculture;
then to Col. Wright, controller general for
statistical information. He desires to insti-
tute comparison between Ohio and Geor-
g1a as to crop yield, for he has determined
TO make his home among us, to cast his lot
with us, If the detailed statistics bear
out the report of our delegation.
Alas, neither Col. Henderson nor Col.
Wright can supply his wants. Therere
no farm statistics In Georgia. Then the
Ohio farmer takes up I've will say the re-
port of the national department of agri-
culture for 1887. Therein he finds author
lied Ohio statistics and estimate" is
all they are-for Georgia. Imagine the
thoughts of the Ohioan as he jots down the