The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-01-22
FOR THE LEGISLATURE OF N. c,

u In GEOSroSSlV9 E6TmeRs
BOYETT, n. Q.
What do these farmers want, any
how9
This question has been frequently
asked by the politicians and the parti-
san press of this State. Notwithstand-
ing the demands of the farmers have
been before the country for years, and
while their demands are mostly ma
tional, yet there are a great many
things that may be considered Tin the
interest of agriculture) by the legisla-
ture that will soon assemblein Raleigh.
The majority Of the farmers of North
Carolina are determined in the future
to vote for men that will legislate for
their interest regardless of political
parties. Knowing, as they do, that
there can be no general prosperity In
North Carolina while the agricultural
interest of the State is suffering. There.
fore I think the farmers will be almost
unanimous in asking the legislature to
give us a government for, of and by the
people. Economically administered,
or as near to it as the State authorities
can give it. We hope you will remem-
Der that you cannot benefit that farm
ers by increasing their burdens. Until
agricultural products are higher all
government expenses ought to be re-
duced as much as possible, for the
farmers have the most of it to pay,
directly or Indirectly. There are not
many farmers who can spare the time
or the means to call upon the coming
legislature to make known their griev-
ances, while the lobbyists Of other pro-
fessions will prey upon them continu-
ally. Yet we know that THE PROGRESS
srvE FARMER will Jake care OF the
farmers interest:
I would like to make a few sugges-
tions, if space will permit, hoping they
will meet with approval from a great
many farmers of the State.
1 The law that compels guardians
of orphan children to renew their bonds
once in two years is taking a consider
able amount of unnecessary money
from the orphans of the State.
2. All m~ortgaged property ought to
be exempt from taxation to the amount
of the mortgage, both real and per-
sonal, and compel the MORTGAGE to pay
on all solvent credits.
8. The jurisdiction of magistrates
ought to be enlarged. have known
trivial cases to come before a Justice
where the fine would have been S. or
$40 and the cost So or 81, which was &C.
cording to law, sent up to go through
a course of law, as the lawyers say;
and the fine would be five cents and
the cost $50 or $40. Here the school
fund has lost a fine and the poor de-
fendant has to pay three or four times
as much as he would in the Justices
court.
4. The laws of 1889 give to the school
boards of the different counties one.
third of the public funds for the pur-
pose of equallzing schools and school
facilities. The law does not require
them to give any bond for the faithful
performance Of their duty in regard to
this fund; it does not oven require
them to make any report as to how
they distribute this fund. Some of
the county boards have used these
funds to help the strong districts in
stead Of the weak. They have used it
to pay the county superintendent $500
vn0rS Thou hnua 1Tun1 - - -
themselves for twelve days in the year
when the law says they shall not draw
pay from the school funds for only
four days In the year. We hope that
the legislature will give us q public
school law that will give the children
the benefit Of every dollar where it
rightfully belongs, except a small COM
mission for collecting the same.
5. Agreat many Peoples party town
ships petitioned the legislature of 1892
to give them Peoples party magis-
trates. This would have been Demo
cratic local government. The North
Carolina Democratic organ says no; 1t
will be late when they get any Peoples
party magistrates. They have to be
true blue Democrats, 10 karat fine, be-
fore they a be elected to the place Of
magistrate. Now will the legislature
give US a Democratic government by
electing every officer, from Governor
down to township constable, by pOpu-
lar vote9 This is tho only true Demo
cratic government that ever has, or
ever can, exist.
6. Give us an election law that will
enable every lawful voter to cast one
ballot and have that ballot counted, re-
gardless of party machines, If it is pos
sible to construct such a law.
2. Give us a 6 per cent. interest law
or lower If they think it best.