The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-05-27
Senator critchfield Wlthdraws His
Bill to Create a Bureau of Ag
riculture and states his
Reasons for SO do


We make the following extract from the
Lcqiaiatire Record Of May -.
The question being upon the final passage
Of Senate Bill No ASP, Mr.. Critchfield said
Mr. President, this is a measure upon which
am aware there is difference of opinion
among the members of the Senate, and as it
now too late in the session to devote the
time necessary to general discussion of the
bill. desire to say few words concerning
it and make motion that that viii dispose
of it without consuming time that we can
not afford 70 devote TO debate. In offering
this bill for the consideration Of this branch
OF the Legislature, was prompted by the
assurance given in a number of letters | re-
ceiyed from gentlemen in different parts of
the state. who are practical farmers, that
such bureau or department, as the bill pro-
poses to establish, would prove great ben
eft TO the agricultural interests of the State.
AT County Farmers Institute, held since
the opening Of this session of the Legisla-
ture, iu one Of the counties have the hon.
or to represent, resolution which have in
my possession, was unanimously passed,
recommending the establishment of such a
bureau, and it was in answer TO such calls
that this bill was offered
While this State owing to the superior
advantages it possesses, is numbered among
the first manufacturing States of the Union,
its beautiful valleys and fertile soil give it
equal prominence as an agricultural State
and as it has always been, and l trust ever
will be, the policy of our State government
to do all in its power to strengthen and en-
courage its manufacturing industries, so
doubt not but that every member of this
body feels like doing all that can be done,
consistent with other equally important in
terests, to promote the industry which lies
at the foundation of all others, and upon
which we must depend for our daily bread.
1t was the devotion of the Legislature Of
1876 10 this interest, that led to the passage
of the act creating the State Board of Agri-
culture as ii now exists Board, Mr.. Presi
dent, which believe yields larger return
TO the Commonwealth for the amount of
money expended upon il, than any other
board or department connected. with the
State government, and may say, Mr.. Pres
ident, that it was with the belief that the
way would thereby be opened for extending
the usefulness of that Board that this bill
was offered. During the last three years l
have had the honor to represent my county
upon that Board, and for a number of years
previous to that time | have carefully
watched the arduous toll of its members,
and have sought for its reports as one Of the
best sources Of information within my reach
on all matters relating TO my business as a
Pennsylvania farmer; but | have been all
the time impressed with the idea that its
work, although Of the most important char
acter to the farmers of the State was less ef-
ficient than it could be made by the provis-
ion of some administrative agency by
which its carefully devised means could be
more successfully carried into effect. l have
pnrposely allowed this bill to pass slowly
up TO its present place upon the calendar, N
order that there might be abundant time
for all interested, to come to an understand
ing Of its provisions. have no desire to Sc
cure any legislation that is not wanted by
the people whom it is intended to benefit,
and while | know that many of the farmers
of this state would be glad to see this
bill become law during the present ses-
sion, there are others in whose Judgment
have equal confidence, that are not certain
as to its utility.
Its introduction has served to bring the
subject before the people of the State, and if
it commends itself to their judgment, as l
believe it will, it can be taken up at some
future session and be disposed of as the will
of the people shall direct. For the present
it is my desire that it shall be dropped from
the calendar, and to secure this | now
move. Mr.. President, that this bill be indef-
initpiv nOsfDonpd