The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-01-15
HARTFORD FARMERS CONVENTION.
AN INTERESTING MEETING.
Discussion ola New Road Law-Three Coun-
ty Commissioners-Dog Law, sc.
PROF. ALVORD'S ADDRESS

The fourth annual convention of the Farmers
Association of Hartford county met at the Court
House, on Monday. Mr.. George E. Silver Presi-
dent. was III the chair, and Mr.. VIM. Lee Amoss,
Secretary.
/ ADDRESS OF TIE PRESIDENT
Mr. Silver, in calling the convention to order,
spoke of the Importance of farmers taking AN in
terest i'll these annual meetings. He referred TO
the prosperity OF farmers brought about by large
crops the past season and slightly increased prices
Tor farm products. The increase in crops is due to
the industry of farmers, aided by improved ma
chinery and favorable seasons. The price of their
products must be regulated by the law of supply
and demand. 1t is Interesting to note these facts
and farmers should try to raise those things for
which there is the greatest demand and best
prices. Industries such as canning should be fos-
tered and encouraged. Canning, while it has
brought ruin to some farmers, has benefited the
county generally He urged the appointment by
the Legislature of a State Board of Agriculture
HARTFORD AT THE WORLDS FAIR.
The report OF the committee on Harford's repre-
sentati0n at the Worlds Fair was read by Mr.. w.
Beatty Harlan. RECOMMENDED display of Har-
ford's cereals, her canning industry, woods, man
wild fowl. game and fish, &c. Also that large Pho
tographs be exhibited showing some of the most
striking scenery in the county and typographical
map showing how admirably the county is water
ed. An exhibit OF the fruits of the county to be
prepared in suitable form by the ladies, was also
of preparing an exhibit at $500, and recommend
the appointment of a Board of Promoters of the
object III view, one to be appointed by each far
ing The report was signed by w. Beatty Harlan
H. p. Strasbaugh, j. Wilson Moore and
PLANS FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENT.
The committee appointed at the Farmers Con-
vention last year to consider plans for road I'M
provement, reported through MIR. W. Beatty Har-
lam Their report, which has been published in
full in The AoiS, provides for the appointment of
Road Engineer by the State, TO act in the several
counties whenever called upon by the County
Commissioners.
THREE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RECOMMENDED
Mr.. George X. Stephenson offered resolution
calling upon the representatives of Hartford in the
Legislature to secure the passage of law provid-
ing that the present board of five County Commits
sioners shall hold their Office for two years. AT
the end of that time new election to be held for
three commissioners; the one receiving the highest
number of votes to hold office for six years, the
next highest for four years and the lowest for two
years. At the end of each two years thereafter one
commissioner to be elected for six years. The
commissioners each to receive salary of 5000 and
mileage and to be ineligible tor reelection the
next succeeding term.
THE SILVER QUESTION.
Mr.. Stephenson also offered the following reSo-
Whereas. In view of the immense increase in the
amount OF silver bullion produced IN the world and
the abandonment Of the bi-metallic standard of
value in those civilized countries with which the
United States has valuable commercial relations
and foreseeing that the vast amount of silver bull
lion in foreign countries would i'm obedience to the
law of demand be quickly transported to the
United States, II by any cause we should offer it a
silver and widening the breach between it and
gold. therefore,
this convention that the enactment of any law or
laws by the United States Congress providing for
the free and unlimited coinage of silver would
drive gold from this country, unsettle values. Grip
pie industry, operate unjusty to the creditor class
debaSe the debtor class, and bring in its train
many of the financial evils that afiict our neigh
boring South American States.
ReSOkOed, That the chief beneticarieS of free
and unlimited coinage act, would be the owners of
silver mines, who constitute class, and any leg
islation providing market or profit for any com
modify is in effect class legislation. which is per-
nicious and contrary to the spirit of our govern
| ment.
ResolUed That the chief sufferers under free
| silver coinage system would be the farmers who
compelled to dispose OF their surplus products
| in European markets at gold standard rates and
purchase their supplies at home at inflated silver
rates.
| questing the members from Hartford in the
Legislature to have law ID: sSed taxing all dogs
she ed 10 pe ap9eq 10 paying owners f9t
| any, to be appropriated to the use of the public
schools.
All of these resolutions were referred to com
MAJOR ALvoRD's ADDRESS.
Major Henry E. Alyord, President of the Mary
| land Agricultural College and Director of the State
| Experiment Station. delivered an address OH
| What the State Can Do for Agriculture.
Major AlvOrd mentioned a number of ways in
which the Legislature could benefit the farming
| interests. He advocated State Board of Agricul-
| ture. There is now Commissioner of Industries
of the State but no one has ever been able to dis
cover from his reports that there is any such i'll
| duStry as Agriculture in the State.
The equalization of taxation is another way in
| which the State can benefit farmers. The defeat
| OF the third amendment, which was intended to
secure this, was misfortune, but farmers them
| selves are responsible for its failure.
He criticized the compulsory inspection of hay
and tobacco and said that trade should be free be-
| tween sellers and buyers.
| The public road question is another subject of
the greatest Importance TO the agriculture of the
State Hartford county is leading in the agitation
The trouble with the roads is that too much time
is spent in mending roads and not enough in max
ing them.
A dog law is another matter by which the State
can help farmers who want to raise sheep. He
| believed in the personal rights of the man who
| prefers dogs to sheep and also of the man who
prefers sheep to dogs, but no man must interfere
with the rights of his neighbors. Dogs do inter-
| fere with sheep and the Legislature should pro-
mote and protect the farmers interest in sheep.
The regular inspection and control of the sale of
fertilizers is another matter of proper State legs-
| laton. Hartford county has led in this Inattor.
The law presented to the Legislature in 1890 was
good one but by the change of a few words in en-
crossing it the law was made worthless. IL now
sells for SO tome The
in engrossing it was very remarkable.
| Major AlvOrd explained the workings of the Ag-
| ricutural College. The general government pays
all the salaries and current expenses leaving it to
| the State to provide and maintain the buildings.
laboratory for analysis of commercial fertilizers
| is needed and the State should supply this.
| The Worlds Columbian Exposition he regarded
as an opportunity tor displaying the advantages OF
Maryland which the State can not afford to lose.
An appropriation for agricultural education. by
encouraging farmers institutes, &C., would be OF
value.
| Major AvOrd advocated q smaller number of
| trustees OF the State Agricultural College, and
took pleasure, he said, in mentioning the faithful
| services In the board of Col. John Carroll Walsh
| and jeremiah p. Silver, of Hartford county.
| To get the legislation needed farmers must make
| direct and persistent application to the Legisa-
ture.
| The convention then took recess for dinner.
| AFTERNOON SESSION.
| At 2 o'clock the meeting reaSSembled.
Messrs. George L. Silver, VIM. Webster, Geo. r.
| Stephenson. VIM. 7. Trimbe and James Lee were
| appointed delegates to the State Convention, with
| authority to appoint alternatcs
The report of the Worlds Fair Committee was
| adopted.
The report of the Road Committee then came up
| for discussion.
| Mr.. W. Beatty Harlan said the committee had
not proposed any revolutionary or radical changes
| in our road system but only aimed to make use of
| the means we have and improve upon Them The
people are waking up to the Importance of a sys-
| TEN of road engineers.
| Mr.. VIM. p. Trimble said the first step to have
| good roads is to have no political roads. He
| thought that the engineer proposed, being only
| clothed with advisory power, would come into the
| comfy as dsturber of the peace. Within the
past few years the care of many roads has been en-
| trusted to farmers clubs and leagues with great
| advantage He was opposed to lnStructlng our
| delegates to vote for a State Engineer.
County Commissioner Joseph Z. Bateman argll-
| that if the State Engineer is he anV yaue