The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-04-09
THE FARMERS MEET.
WHAT TIE. BOARD OF AGRiCUL-
TuRE DISCUSSED.

King Gcosgc: Captain o. 4. Brown. North
ampfon; Judge r. NJ. Mallory, Brunswick
Judge Il. l.. Henley. james City; Colonel
smith, Henrico; Commissioner Thomas
Whitehead. and Judge Charles Grattan,
stanton, Commissioner Of immigration.
President koncr stated that this meeting
was the commencement OF new term, and
the first business was the election Of a new
president.
MAJOR Suthcrlln moved that the election o
president be gone into, which was car
RED. lie stated that IL gave him great
pleasure 10 present the name Of the present
occupant for reelection. That MIR. kOinel
had oiliciated with great capacity, and ba'
done much for the good Of the board. He D.
emlncntly fitted for the position. both for his
vast information and his impartiality. Ma
jor Gaines seconded the nomination
MIR. kOiner was unanimously ciecie0' , ai'.
Major Sutherlin was appointed committee
of ono 10 conduct Mr.. kOincrio the meeune'
Mr.. Eoincr Was brought in, ana said, "A
nneoimot,s reelection 90 the position which
vou have rendered me Is compliment 70
which am not insensible. But as siud TWO
years ago. take the position with the same
disfrust that did then. being conscious Of
nv own impcriect0ns and the expectations
ofine people. Too much Is expected Of us
with the means at our command. but we
have done some good, and will try again
this term
FURTHER TIME ASKED.
Major Gaines, chairman Of the committee
on organization. stated that. owing 20 the
failure Of the committee 10 get access TO
MANY laws which they were 10 take action
on. and begged that the b0ard'graut the COM
mittcc further time. lie made partial re-
port stating that, owing TO great number oil
acts and parta of acts now existing % define
the duties Of the Commissioner Of Agricui-
turc. the committee had adopted a rosolu-
ton giving the Board full power in defining
the duties Of the Commissioner. The report
was passed hy until The committee could
make a full report.
THE AUTHORIZATIONS.
Colonel Whitehead read a letter from At
torney.Gencral Scott. which is as follows:
Dear Colonel. In your letter Of the 9th IN
sfant YOU ask. "Pleasc give me your Opin-
ion as 10 what portion can Doe used and eX-
PENDED by the state Board Of Agriculture of
The ten thousand dollars, under the act Of
the 9TH Of March. ISIS. and for what pui-
pose. and what disposition and expenditure
can be- made by the state Board Of Agricul-
turc oithe fund received under the act oithe
9th Of February, 1902 As ! understand
Our statute law bearing upon this subject
created by the act Of the 9Th Of March. loss,
(Acts 1857, ~ p. 5ll) have i'm their keeping.
custody and charge all matters which per
tam 10 the agricultural interests Of the
state and especially the subjects named in
the preamble 10 the act approved April .,
1879 Acts rs ~, p. 1922, and the ten thou
sand dollar appropriation should be used Tor
these purposes. For the further protection
Of agriculture the General Assembly of
lSS9-DO 0ust adiourned) passed an act whose
title il ITO protect and advance agriculture
by regulating the sale and purity Of COM
mcrcial fertilizers and the guarantee and
conditions upon which they are 10 Doe sold
and fixing the penalties incurred for the Nio-
latOns of the same" This act was APP
proved the 18th of February. 1870, 10 be in
force from its passage.
The Board Of Agriculture is required to
put this law into operation, and can adopt
all ncedful rules and regulations. (See sec
ton 81 The .registratOn fee required by
section goes into The treasury of the Conn
mOnwealth and "car-markedn there "Ihe
Fertilizer Fund.- 10 be kept separate from
other funds, Is dedicated To special ana
specific purpose, namely, "iO carry out the
provisions Of this act" Should the regis
iration fees ana fines prove more than suf-
fcient 10 carry into effect and execute this
law. in that event the "Oyerplus' "shall be
paid into the general agricultural fund; but
all moneys derived from said fees, fines on
other sources shall be a part and por-
ton Of the ten thousand dollars per
annum appropriated 10 the Board
of Agriculture Of Virginia by an
act" &c. &c. | think it is plain the
money 20 carry this law into effect comes
from and depends upon the registration fees.
fines. &c, and that the new law is auxiliary
10 and i'm aid of the existing laws; further
that the funds for these purposes are dis
tinct and separate. and should not be COM
mingled by the board.
| consider the new law the exercise of
Police Power, legislative power upon
which there are very few restrictions. IL
regulates internal commerce within the
State in Commercial Fertilizers, and has
also an inspection feature. Chief Justice
Marshall. discussing this subject ia the
case OF Gibbons ". Ogden. O. Wheat. jOj)
said: they (such laws) form a portion of
that immense mass Of legislation which con-
trolls everything within the territory Of "a
State not surrendered 20 the general gov
eminent, all which can be most adyanta-
geousy administered 10y the states them
selves.
Inspection laws, quarantine laws. health
laws Of every description, as we'll as laws
for regulating the internal commerce of "a
state and those which respect turnpike
roads, ferries. etc are component parts.
is granted 10 Congress. and consequently
they remain subiectfo state legislation.
lie stated that "A committee had been 20
see the ATTORNEY General, and ne held the
opinion as stated. bat the Auditor had
stated that what money was spent of the
fertilizer fund would be charged 20 the
Board. a part Of their funds of SlO,cOH
Major >uthcrlin stated that he was Of the
opinion that the State officers were governed
bv the opinion of the Attorney-General, and
he felt sure that the Auditor would look al
the matter in the right light.
Major Gaines said that If the Attorney
Generals opinion did not prevail. the COM
missioner OF Agriculture would be unable 90
carry ON the work now being done.
Mr.. Corbin thought that the letter was
non-cOmmittal. lie said that Mr. Scott had
quoted from the act, and although II sus-
tains one side IL equally sustains Colonel
Mayre. He thought that the Attorney
General should give a written legal opinion,
80 that IL could be spread on the minutes,
and give the Board authority.
Judge Henley stated that his view of the
question was that only the money left over
after the chemical analysis should be deNo-
ted 10 the payment of the sum yearly appro-
priated-Slo,0oo.
WITH WHOM TO DEAL.
Major Sutherlin made a motion that the
Commissioner Of Agriculture ind Out win
whom they had 10 deal in the natter and
that TODAY they so as body ana hear the
opinion of the state officers In regard 20 the
matter. Motion carried.
Judge Mallory read letter from the At
torney General giving his opinion as 10 the
powers Of the board under the new fertilizer
acts. The report was ordered 20 be spread
on record.
Commissioner Whitehead made a report,
stating that underth fertilizing act Si6i.50
had been expended. leaving a balance OF
xi.i05.1O. Adopted.
MIR. koiner stated that he had received
communication from the Farmers Club, of
Baskerville, asking that the Board use all
endeavors 10 give the farmers Of Virginia
the benefit Of the weather signal service Of
the United States.