Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-01-15
WOODBURY., n J., THURSDAY, JANUARY /


power to lease for term OF years, with the
right to renew such leases upon such terms
as they may deem for the interests of the
state.
If the legislature will amend the law, as
suggested by the commissioners and in this
message, am confident that they will be
able to increase the revenue from this
source to such an extent as to pay off all
the obligations of the state within few
years and leave money to be expended.
under appropriations by the legislature,
for needed improvements and the increas-
ing wants of the institutions of our state.
Agriculture.
The universal complaint of those inter
ested in farming induced me Jan %. 1890.
to request the state board of agriculture to
appoint committee to cooperate with the
governor, and committee to be appointed
by the legislature, TO investigate the pres-
ent depressed condition of this Industry.
and II possible to devise some measures Of
relleL. The state board promptly responded
Dy appointing a committee of seven one
from each congressional district This com
mlttee has published pamphlet of twenty
Two pages containing the result of their
investigation, and | commend it TO the
careful consideration of the legislature.
After repeated conferences with the com
mlttee it was decided to request the county
boards, oranges and other agricultural or
CARNATIONS throughout the state to hold
special meetings for the consideration of
certain questions which were formulated
by the committee, the secretary of the state
board and the governor
These questions were sent to about fifty
farmers organizations throughout the
state, and replies were received from vari-
Gus county boards, from oranges and other
organizations and unions, and from sixty
or more individuals. The replies indicated
frQHf diVarCitr rtf r..
points there seemed to be unanimity, viz:
First-Ihat the average depreciation Of
farm lands in the various counties Of the
state during the past fifteen or twenty
years is about 40 per cent.
Inere are many reasons given for this de-
preciatlon- The great majority of them re-
late 70 matters which can only be remedied
by federal legislation or individual or or
ganized action on the part of farmers The
principal subjects which can be dealt with
by state legislation are: Excessive and un-
equal taxation, unjust discrimination in
freight rates, bad roads and high rates Of
interest.
Second-All the replies seem to indicate
that farm lands are valued too high for the
Puri>ose OF taxation, and that there should
be revaluation, so as to have the same fair
ly assessed.
Third-There seems to be universal
complaint against unjust freight discrim-
ination, il being alleged that the transpor
tation companies charge as much for short
hauls from points in New Jersey as they
do for long hauls from points outside of
the state. Complaint is also made in ref
erence to milk: that it is carried by the
transportation companies in refrigerator
cars from points outside OF the state, there
by enabling it to reach the market in much
better condition than from any point with
in the state
After considering all the communica-
tions the committee decided, among other
things, to approve the passage Of an act
similar to that proposed by assembly bill
529 for the creation of railroad commits
sion.
mlttee decided to postpone further con
sideration thereof until the tax commission
reported to the legislature
The committee also recommended the
printing oi laws in pamphlet form in
stead of IN .,es spapers. 1t favored a new
road law and an act for protecting sheep
and poultry from dogs. Iealso formulated
memorial TO congress, asking for certain
legislation which it deemed desirable
The state grange also presents, us two of
the principal evils to he remedied by legis-
lation, the subjects Of unequal taxation of
property aud unjust discrimination in
transportation charges By common car
riers
A joint committee Of the legislature, was
appointed on March H. 1890, which acted
with the committee Of the state board.
This committee made a separate report, in
which it recommended:
First-The passage Of an act to prohibit
unjust discrimination in freight rates by
common carriers.
Second-An act prohibiting the sale of
oleomarSaune, and other articles Of the
same nature.
Third-The passage Of an act protecting
sheep and poultry from dogs
Fourth-An act providing for the sys-
tematic building and maintaining Of pub
lie roads
Fifth-For the revision of the tax laws.
so that a fair and equitable basis of assess
ment of property might be established in
this state.
desire to call attention to the commu-
nications of the president and secretary of
the state board of agriculture The presi-
dent, among other things, expresses the
thanks of the board for the increased ap-
preparation recommended by the governor,
and made at the last session Of the lcgisla-
ture. He calls special attention to he dis
elimination in railroad freights, and cites
instances of peculiar hardship arising
therefrom. He criticises the State Agri-
cultural college, and is opposed to the free
scholarships provided for in the act of
March 81, 1890 laws Of 1880, j. l6A He
urges the necessity Of Immediate efforts to
secure an agricultural state exhibit for the
Worlds fair at Chicago, which Will direct
attention to the advantages presented by
this state. He also urges a simpliicati0n
Of the road laws
The report of the secretary Of the board
is most interesting document, and should
receive the careful attention Of the legis-
lature. it shows active, careful and con
scientious work, and the facts collected
will be of great advantage to the legislat-
i've committees having charge of this sub
ject
After careful consideration of the entire
subject, and with an earnest desire to sug-
gest some practical methods of relief, /
have reached the conclusion that, indie
pendent of intelligent action on the part of
the farmers to adapt themselves to the
changed condition of affairs, as suggested
by the secretary of the state board in his
report, the greatest measures Of relief must
come from congress. 1t is the duty of the
legislature, however, to do all that lies
within its constitutional powers to relieve
this industry from unjust burdens. To
secure this desirable result | recommend:
/. That the tax laws be amended. /
have fully considered this matter else
where in my message under the head Of
taxation.
2. / recommend that there De created a
commissioner Of agriculture, to be ap-
pointed by the governor and confirmed
by the senate, whose duties shall be de-
fined by law, and embrace those usually
vested in such an official under the legisla-
tion of other states
| also advise that the secretary of the
state board of agriculture act as his secre-
tary so as TO bring him in direct relation
with the state board, and secure the bene-
fits of active cooperation with the repre-
sentative farmers organizations of the
state. | am satisfied that the interests of
agriculture will be greatly advanced by
having a state official whose duty it will
be to inquire into all the grievances and
complaints of those engaged in agriculture
ascertain the views of representative organ
izations of that industry and devise meas
ures for practical relief.
3. recommend legislation to provide for
the building and maintaining of good
roads under a thorough and efficient sys-
tenn. Public highways are for the benefit
not only Of local communities, but of the
entire public and the state might rea-
sonably assist localities which BY their
action show a desire to secure such advan-
tages
g. That there should De a railroad com
mission, similar to that now in existence
in many states of the Union, with power to
hear all complaints of unjust freight dis
elimination and other grievances, and to
make such order and decree in reference to
the matter as will secure relief.
Other states have found such commits
sions of advantage, not only to the people,
but TO the corporations engaged in trans
portation. Two bills were pending before
the last legislature to accomplish this re-
an Independent commission to be appointed
Inv the uovernol, and confirmed nv the sem