Montgomery County sentinel., 1890-01-24
Farmers, Conyention.-The annual

convention of farmers of this county wa
held Tuesday, ,at Sandy Spring. The meeting
was well attended, including delegates
from adjacent counties. After the con
vention had been called to order, Mr.. IL. G
Hallowell addressed the meeting and said
The bane of a community is the want of a
desire to discuss things. AS the sea wears
away rocky clefts, obstacles are removed by
examination and familiarity. A new meth
cd of farming awakens opposition, u ntil
familiarity proves it is the better way
Farmers should not groau about hard times.
If any thing can be done, do it. If it can't
be done, don't forget the old saying, 'Heav-
en- has no room for the discouraged The
moment you allow yourself to become dis.
couraged your physical, mental and spirit
ual powers are weakened Take time by
the forelock, look to your future, make your
plans for the coming summer and be pre-
pared"
The reports of the committees were then
read.
A report on creameries was read by Prof.
Henry Alvord, president of the Maryland
Agricultural College.
The committee on farmers institute, Wm.
Ager, chairman, said II petition asking the
legislature TO appropriate $4,000 to pay ex- =
penses to hold farmers institute in this
State had been prepared, but not yet
brought up.
After the reports of the clubs, Mr.. b. d.
Palmer, first vice. president, took the chair
and explained that series Of questions had
been prepared, and would be taken up in
regular order, discussed and then put to
vote.
First. Would il be to the interest OF the
citizens Of the county to have county
treasurer.
The discussion was opened by Mr.. Sam'l
ID. Waters, tax collector for that district,
who said 81 think it would cost the county
less to have Treasurer than the present
mode OF collecting taxes, and am in favor
Of abolishing the discount system"
Dr. Francis Thomas said he was in favor
of having Treasurer, and disapproved OF
the pay of per cent, and that there were
taxes not paid that should be collected.
Charles Emack, of Princes Georges coun-
ty, stated that Prince Georges was getting
tired of the Treasurer, and wanted to re-
turn to the collector.
The salary of Treasurer is very large, and
it cost the county "a 500 to collect its taxes,
which is more than the taxpayers can
afford but if it was taken out of the hands
OF politicians, The cost could be reduced
one half.
Mr.. Benz. IL. Miller said he did not see
any reason why Treasurer could not col.
lect taxes as well as Il collector, and bill
should be put before County Commissioners
to appoint one, with salary of $4,000, and
there would be no trouble to find Il man
who could collect taxes and put the correct
value on property.
Mr.. VIM. B. Miller said the present sys
tenn gives living to five men, where, if a
Treasurer was appointed, only one would
be employed.
Mr. George Bonfant said farmers could
hardly pay expenses now, and he could
not see why they should be compelled to
support five men, where one could do the
work.
MI Isaac llartshorn said at present we
cannot tell whether our taxes are paid or
not, on account Of the careless way the
books were kept, and often tax collectors
are not suited to assess property, and am
in favor Of IL Treasurer.
The question was then put TO vote
Thirty were in favor and twenty two against
the proposition to have the Treasurer
The next question was taken up: SHOULD
we urge the County Commissioners To act
on the dog law"
Mr.. Henry C. HallowelI said the great
trouble is that number Of peope not able
to support themselves keep large number
of dogs, which 0verrun the county and dc
great deal OF damage
Mr.. George Bonilant thought dogs were
great nuisance, and when the matter had
been brought before the County Comms
souers they referred them To the legislature
who referred lhem back tn the Commis
sioners. The farmers should take it III theli
own hands, and have law To protect thciI
sheep.
Mr. Isaac lIartshorn thought farmers
could never agrrc upon any law, and th'
matter had not properly been presented. A
hill sbnnl II l1i. In, the VpntInn II
the Commissioners, and then sec that II wa
attended To. The proposition was put Il
vote aud carried.
The next question, " hat is the brs
methud al Keeping cnsiiage?' was discuSsc !
Prof Alvorl c9piaIuei now many inter
esting experiments had been rpade with
| frost caught crop, which made excellent eJI
siage and very nearly came up 10 the crop
not frosted. lie also said he considered piu
with wooden sides the best and no pit should
be less than twelve feet in width or depth
A very interesting discussion followed OF
"hoW can the killing out Of clover be pre-
| vented r
The questions, What practical mea n
can be taken TO separatG party politics irou
county affairs, that citlZeBs Ilay recely
/ better results from money expended = an
docs the observation Of citizens confirm il
/ the belief that our pubic roads are imprnV
! ing under the present system of supervision
and repairng?" we've postponed until ta
meeting next year, whep they viii be PLACED
/ first oD the list.
COmus Items
The Comus Literary and Debating Sc
cieiy re organized several weeks ago, elect
ing Mr. j. p. Selman president, Mr.. jas
Pearre vice president, and Mr.. o. o. Bake
secretary.