Telegram-herald., 1891-01-14
THE FARNERS' CLUB
LAWS AID IlUIlKERS NsfUsSO


Alchlgen fafmefe Niup wes ue1o IA W.
city hall yesterday. Owing - the
stormy weather the attendance wss not
large. but much interest Was mani
tested. The first business was the pass
ing Of resolution to confer With the
Grand River Valley Horticultural so-
ciety with the view OF menlorializing
the county supervisors, asking them
for the use of = room in the new
county building.
The topic of the day wac then intro
duced for discussion. is Any Lsgisla-
ton Needed at Present TO Protect
Farmers Interest, and What"
E. l.. Briggs was called upon TO lead
the discussion, but said that he was
not prepared TO give an opinion. He
considered that q probationary liquor
law was of the first importance to
farmers. and next TO that is the matter
of taxation. He believed that the
farmers are bearing an unequal share
of the burden. The farmers property
is all in plain view, while that Of the
capitalists is mostly hidden. His idea
was that graduated income tax would
be the best method of equalizing the
burden of taxation.
There should be some changes IN the
highway laws and In their enforcement.
The country roads are not kept up as
they should be, and their bad condition
is. a serious detriment to the farmers.
A change in the township school sys-
tenn would be benefit. Fewer schools
and larger ones would be more adapted
TO the needs of the districts. He recon-
mended one high school in every town.
snip.
The secretary thought that the Su-
preme Court should act in conjunction
with the Legislature and thus prevent
the enactment of foolish laws.
d. p. Clay said: "The farmer is en-
titled to Just such laws.as will enable him
to carry OH his business; can you think
of any law that would materially Aid in
this? Tbs farmers should follow the
example of railroads and other corpor-
ations, and employ al attorney to look
after their interests.
Mr.. Bowser said the trouble was that
there were too many laws, and too
little attention is paid to them. The
changes IN the statutes are so frequent
| that the farmers have not time to keep
track Of them. The whole text of the
highway law was changed but short
time ago. Less legislation would give
| the people chance to become ae-
quainted with the law.
He said tnat the sending of politi-
| tons to make laws was all wrong.
There are two mapy laws now, one
half of them should be repealed. Said
he, care there five men now in the
Legislature that you would trust to run
your farms or that you would put into
| counting room? The politician is
worse than q three-card monte man, he
gives you no show at ALL"
&. G. Bailey said, "Thc farmers want
no law for themselves, but for the peo-
ple." He thoughts commission should
be appointed to revise the laws and let
all that are detrimental or of no par
ticuIar use be repealed.
He criticised Governor Winans' mes
sage in many respects, and particularly
where he recommends cutting down
| the meagre appropriation for the Agri-
cultural College, while all the other
colleges that are turning out profes-
slonal men. are kept to the high mark.
Said he: ''One educated farmer turned
out at the Agricultural College is worth
more to the State than 100 lawyers.
He SAID the appropriation for the Agri-
cultural College should be increased SO
that Profs. KedAe and Cook could be
paid according to their worth. The
former, by his inspection of bogus
| fertilizers, saved the State 500, 1000 last
year, aud yet they pay him but $500,
when be should receive $1,000, At least.
/, They are men of National reputation
and worth.
Elwood Graham said that the dog
law should be enforced and the divorce
law repealed.
At the next meeting the club will dis
cuss the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the West Michigan
Farmers Club ask the Legislature to
amend the law for the taxation Of
mortgages so as to exempt the property
covered by the mortgage to the extent
of the assessment on the mortgage.