Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-05-03

in Tins Manner, and Gives Some Opin-
ions as to What These Institutes Should
be-some Pertinent Suggestions.
Editor Gazette Dc Journal was very
much surprised upon reading the report
of the action of Kent County Farmers
Institute, at its last session, as pub
lished in EVERY EVENING of the 26th
instant Though a member of this
institute / was prevented from attending
the meeting, having been unavoidably
detained at home and would not now
criticise certain transactions of that
meeting in so public matter as through
the columns of EVERY EVENING, We're
1t not that the farmers cause is very
much injured by that action, in the
opinion of all good citizens, no matter
what their calling. Furthermore, it is
disgusting to all conservative farmers.
The action to which | refer is the al
lDwance to Mr.. Fulton for drawing bills
"To Equalize Taxation" and "For
the Labelling of Fruit Packages" They
received but partial endorsement of
the institute, though | know they were
regarded as Kent County Institute bills,
and to my knowledge Mr.. Fulton was
never authorized TO draw them, yet he
assumed TO do SO, and as the report
shows, endeavored to get his pay from
the Legislature for this service. The
members of that body paid him un-
doubtedly what they regarded as suffi-
cient for the work, but Mr.. Fulton, not
content, presents an additional bill to
the institute, that would require one and
one.fourth times the annual appropria-
ton to the institute under the law to
pay.
The main features of the Tax bill
were correct, but it was loaded down
with so much lumber that it could
never have been operated if passed. The
farmers Of the institute saw this and
for this reason refused 10 endorse it.
The bill for labelling fruit packages
most any one of the members of the
institute could have written in ten
minutes, as it required very little legal
talent or mental effort to prepare il, and
charge of $50 for this bill and 5000 for
tho bill to equalize taxation is "iob"
of the worst kind. Much use is there in
tho farmers meeting every month and
demanding retrenchment and reform
in the administration of public affairs,
especially this vicious jobbing system.
And as, is well known Mr.. Fulton is
Significantly conspicuous in opposing
and denouncing jobbery, and then to
consummate such q gigantic 'job" as
this.
The Inconsistency of our professions
and our acts makes us ridiculous before
the people. The appropriation made
annually by the State of 5000, to be
equally distributed between the several
counties, was not intended to be paid
out in this manner, as is clearly indi-
Gated in section / of the "Act Providing
for Farmers Institutes" which says:
"trhe object of these institutes shall be
the discussion, orally or by written
essays or papers, Of agricultural and
kindred matters, and for the dissemina-
ton of agricultural knowledge among
the farmers of the State" believe
that in the main the intent of the law
has been carried out in confidence and
fidelity, and they have been means of
education to the farmers of Delaware
that fully justitics the establishment of
these institutes and their maintenance
by the State. Surely, those who have
taken the lead in the management and
work of the institutes have had but
widen and enlarge the scope of the
farmers opportunities to inform him
self upon all subjects relating to his
business, and not that their establish
ment should open the way for schemes
to secure, as has been .the case here, the
major portion of the appropriation.
Such actions as this iniure the farmers
cause aud put us in bad repute. Just
,,.t.
Morton must have had in mind when
making his now famous "Chicago
speech"
| always had implicit confidence in
Mr.. Futon's sincerity i'll championing
the farmers cause, but, with his re-
peated drafts for the institutions money
my confidence is very muck shaken.
He is lawyer by trade and preference,
and if his connection With the farmers
is to got funds that should be used for
other and better purposes, l say Good
Lord deliver u.s." IL is not the first
time that the farmers of Kent county
have been compelled 20 pass upon
drafts of this character, always under
protest, and | for one AIN tired of doing
any more Of it. In this believe voice
the feelings OF nine'teuths of our men,
bers.
am opposed to extravagant admin
istration or iobbcry in all affairs of
State-the Farmers Institute as we'll as
other institutions. The farmers of Kent
county are intelligent and progressive
and capable of running their associa-
tions judiciously and economically, and
we are extremely sensitive on account
Of the reflections that such actions as
are herein indicated will cast upon us.
Sooner than have the money appro-
priatel used in this manner, / should
strongly urge the repeal Of the law by
the next Legislature. | long, however,
to see the time when the farmers insti-
tutes Of Delaware will measure up to
the efficiency of those OF other States
notably Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
A. n. BHowN.
WYOMING, DEL, April 80, 1894.
Fourteenth Wedding Anniversary.
Mr. and Mrs, William II. Luden of