Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1891-01-08
Farmers Institute.
TENTH ANNUAL MEETING.
Large Attendance Practical Discussions
and Growing Interest.

d.
an opening prayer by Rev. Robt. Alexan-
der. d. ID. the President delivered the fol
lowing
ADDRESS OF WELCOME:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
By the programme it devolves upon
me to deliver an address of welcome, and
in fulfilling that request it would per
haps be proper to state some of the rea-
sons why it is right and proper to be here
on this occasion.
This is according to name, gathering
for the farmers exclusively. Such is not,
however the fact 1t is rather freefor-
all and as such [ extend, in behalf of the
Society, free and cordial welcome to all.
Organization is perhaps the better way
to accomplish objects and ends. The
farmers heretofore are, think, the least
organized of any other class. There is
now a disposition to have a change in
that respect. There are several organi-
cations now having that object in view.
This Society is one of them, and | think
fairly and properly managed will not
only rebound to the benefit of farmers,
but to all others as well. The interest of
farmers, more perhaps than any other
class, is the most important, as it is con-
ceded to be the foundation of all others,
and if so, it should be well built That
the farmers are not in the front, is their
own fault They surely have the mum
bers and ought to have the influence. |
do net mean to assert that they should
have any undue advantage of any other
class, but at least should have an equal
chance in the race of life.
Heretofore, it appears to have been
run in the interest of moneyed men and
monopolies, and if not looked after soon
the interest of the farmers will be among
the lost arts. But | am happy to state,
that of late the farmers interest is begin
ming to look up. In some respects the
farmer has at least held his own, if you
will go back forty years to the wooden
moul-board-s nothing about the cabin
and the sour apple tree and a small patch
of onions and sich-I would most un-
doubtedly ask to be excused. So If you
will look around and compare the sur
r0u ndings of farm and home OF that day
with the present, you will have to con-
clude we have at least got rid of some of
the hay seed that has been troubling us.
Let US continue in the good work, and in
short time all will be we'll Farmers
should assert their just rights at least, and
not be relegated to the rear or under the
bed,as they have been heretofore. think
it trne, perhaps of all professions, that
they stick too much to old ideas-which
were good years ago-but are out of date
lol .,,I I hi1,lv fDYs
ers, more than any other class, are too
much inclined to do as their grandfathers
did, and incline to the belief that what is
called book farming is humbug and a
snare.
Skill is talent, and comes by experience;
therefore when you adopt profession
follow it UP, stick to it, until you master
it and understand all about it. Take one
that you think you are the best adapted
to. | would rather be good something
than a real nothing Now l think the
proper way for farmer to start is to buy
a good soil, as it is cheaper than to make
it. 1t is also cheaper to buy good build
ings than to build them, and if you go in
debt for a farm be sure that you get one
that will pay the debt, and with proper
Judgment and industry you will succeed.
/ think the best success is in management
keep that constantly before you-think
about it, and do it in the best way. Hard
labor is well enough, but without man.
agement is almost useless; the head is
the money maker more than the hands.
As [ do not wish to be tedious, and oc
cupy too much of your time, | will con-
clude by extending to you, one and all,
hearty wecome 20 this Institute, which
| hope you will enjoy and greatly profit
thereby. | thank you for your attention.
On motion of Hon. A. T. McKelvey
the following persons were elected Vice
Presidents: John Atkinson, John Wat
son, j. H. Denham, Matthew Greenlee,
Abram Ramsay, Hon. VIM. Bundy, Smith
Hirst, R. S. Clark, David Branson, Geo.
NJ. Wise. R. A. Ring, and S. E. Meyers.
After song by J.H. Denham, "A Trip
through the Snow" telegram from DIR.
w. L. Davidson, who was on the pro-
gramme of the evening session, annOunc-
ed his sickness at Coyington, KY. The
committee on programme Immediately
ly made efforts to secure some other lee
turer from abroad, but without avail
On this account the printed order of ex
ercises was so changed as to place the es-
say of Miss Effie Garrison on the evening
programme.
BY request the audience was then fa- |
vored with their popular duet, Far |
Away" by Misses Nellie and Ida An
derson.
Hon. j. W. Nichols then spoke briefly |
and pointedly on the subjects, "Organiza-
ton and Double Taxation"
Organization, he said, for any honestI
purpose is very well, but organization for
antagonizing other classes of business is
wrong. A minority should, if organic
ed for any especial purpose, and defeated |
in that purpose, submit quietly, and by
agitation attempt to educate majority
to its opinions. In speaking of double
taxation Mr.. Nichols urged the import
ance of the coming question as to the
holding of a constitutional convention.
The Constitution provides an opportuni-
ty for the people to. remedy safely and
surely existing evils. Section reads: At |
the general election to be held in the year
one thousand eight hundred and seventy
one, and in each twentieth year thereaft-
er, the question: "Shall there be a con-
vention to revise, alter or amend the
Constitution, shall be submitted to the
electors of the State; and in case a ma
jority of all the electors voting at such
an election shall decide in favor of a
convention, the General Assembly, at its
next session, shall provide by law, for the
election of delegates, and the assembling
of such convention, as is provided in the
preceding section; but no amendment of
this Constitution, agreed upon by con-
vention assembled, in pursuance of this I
article, shall take effect until the same q
shall haua haan en- hnnittad tn tho oIontorr q