The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-02-04
HarrIsburg Letter.
H.sEnnuns. Jan. 81.


ton 10 the daily sessions Of both HOuses OF
the legislature. two Of the mast important
orgasiz1tions existing in the State held their
Tneeiinss IL this city dunng the week The
"Psnnsyisaai4 Association Of Agricultural
s,eiesies- vas IA session Tlssizy and Tnes-
day evening AT this meeting representative
farmers from all over the State exchanged
views on the subject Of Coanty Fairs. in
Guiding msih0ds % organization and man
ner Of conducting such Fairs, 50 Is 10 make
them seIf-susraining and productive Of the
best results The discussion OF the propri-
esy OF admitting pooling or gambling OF
any form upon Fair grounds excited unusu-
Al interest. and endei in the adoption Of
RESOLUTION Of unqualified condemnation OF
all such practices.
On Wednesday and Thursday The State
Board OF Agriculture held its annual session.
The newly elected Governor, who Is ex-
OH 10 President of the Board, in brief ad-
dress at the opening Of the mee;i ng spoke in
the highest terms OF the eff Gent WORK done
by the Bssrl during the f.E yexrs Of its
exissencs, and said that as he regarded agri-
cultsre as the greatest of al interests and
industries in which she people Of this Com
moawealth are engaged, he could rot but
feel thai this Board Is seuond ia importance
10 no orzaniz lti0n having an existence in
the STATE. The prosperity Of the Common
wealth. he said. depended apon the prosper
ifv Of this industry, and while he held the
Office OF Chief Executive Of the State il
sheald be bis pleasure to aid this Board to
the nt1n ssi extent Of his ability to elevate
the farming indastry 10 the highest plane
zftainAbse in a region noted for the fruitful
ress Of is agricultural resources.
a good portion Of the iims Of the Board
was taken up in discussing the work OF
FArners Institutes, and pointing out by its
members methods by which this now popu-
lar Nork could be made still more efficient.
A proposition to place the work for the
whole Siase ander the supervision Of COM
patent superintendent, who should receive 8
salary and arrange for all meetings, attend
ing in person as many as possible and pro-
Yiding competent help for others, was fully
discussed bat did not meet with general ap-
P-oval; the msjority thinking il best 20
leave the work for each county in the hands
Of the local member, who, though working
without pay. will be prompted by the per
soilal Interest he feels in the prosperity Of
his own county 10 greater sacrifices, If need
BE- and more faithful work 10 make his local
institute q means Of help 10 himself and
fellow farmers.
The question which called out the greatest
interest il It's discussion was the Report of
the Commission appointed two years ago TO
revise the revenue laws Of the Common
wealth which report IS now before the Leg
isla.ure and likely to become the tax law OF
the State. The report is so full Of technical
terms as TO make il difficult TO be understood
without closer study than your correspond
eni mas been able thus far to give il. Among
other things. however, il provides for a
coanty tax OF mills on al money owing
By solvent creditors. whether on note, mort
gage, or book account. etc. also for county
tax on the property Of railroad and telegraph
companies. including lines, tracks, cars, en-
gines. etc Of mills, and it is thought by
the members Of the Commission that it will
greatly reduce local taxation. IL IS not con-
sidered by the farmers to be just what they
want, but il is regarded as being much better
for them than the present revenue laws Of
the State and as il Is the Recommendation
OF a commission in which the various in
terests Of the safe were represented they
think Il best to give il their endorsement.
feeling that one good step in the right diree-
ton is much better than to make no progress
at all. The State Board accordingly passed
a resolution endorsing the report and asking
for is passage by the Legislature.
Among the members Of both Houses of
the Legislature the all-absorbing topic of
conversation has been the vote of Senator
Cameron on the 'elotureH resolution This
IS regarded as practically vote against the
Federal Elections bill, and was. Therefore, a
surprise 10 everybody Aboai the State Capi-
tol. The Republican members voted for
Mr. Cameron IN good faith, as the regular
nominee Of the party for the United States
Senato-ship, and many feel more than 3
little ehagrined al the course be has taken
with regard to this measure. While his vote
upon the resolution referred 70 was unex-
pec.ed by all, their are still some who assert
their faith in his judgement, and express the
opinion that he sees farther than the rank
and file Of bis party. and that many who
now condemn his course viii in the future
be made 10 confess its wisdom On Thurs
day Joint resolution, on strict party vote
was passed, instraciing both L. s. Senators
from this state TO endezvor by all honorable
msaRs to secure the passage OF the Elections
bin before the close Of the present session.
What effect il may have upon the senior
Senator remains 10 be seen.
A number Of bills Of minor importance
have already passed second reading in both
[ Houses. a bill introduced by the Senator
T from your district on wednesday last, en-
titled An Ac. to increase the number o
qualified teachers for the public schools o
the State by conferring upon the graduate
OF all incorporated institutions of learning
/ within the Commonwealth the same fran
chises that are now enjoyed by the graduate
1 OF STATE Normal schools, excited consider
able favorable comment, and will, if
( should become Law. relieve graduates 0
the various institutions OF learning that srs
operated without State patronage, from son'
! fs..,.s tf,as- r,F,rx- -,
The record Of the events of the wes.
would be incomplete without noticing
meeting held 10 Market Stree; Court Hal
on Thursday evening. the 29sh inst. unde
the auspices OF the Protective Tariff League
of Pennsylvania. The meeting was calle'
to order by J. L. lands, Esq of LsneasteI
/ county. who nominated Senator \. B
Critcbfield. Of Somerset county, as Presiden
OF the meeting. Mr. Cntch6eld taking ID
chair IN few ftting words, stated the Objec
OF the meeting and then introduced as Ia
speaker Of the occasion ex-Congressmal
Horr, OF Michigan. who held his large audi
enoe fo- ix5 hours without the sligbses
abatement Of interest while he discussed ih
question OF protection to American inda'
tries, not as political issue, but as Purei
economic measure in which all parties an
all Classes OF citizens are equally interested
Tue speaker during his remarks frequenti
invited contradiction, but although thei
were many present who differed from him j
political faith, 10 one dared to accept ih
challenge.