The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-11-23
CECIL FARMERS CLUB.
Regular Monthly Meeting at Mr..
Geo. W. GiffOrd's, Zion.
Discussion of Assessment, the Public
Schools, the Public Roads, and
the Salaries of Public
Officials.

The November meeting of the Cecil Far
mers' Club was held mt Mr.. Gesrge W. Clifford 5
near Zion, on Wednesday last the 2O.h inst.
At eleven o'clock the President directed the
call of thcroll of members, when the following
responded to their names; Henry S. Coudon,
A. J. Alichiner, Col. Enoch Noyes, John P.
Wilson. L. l.. Duyckinck. George W. Clifford.
Alfred Kirk, Il. T. Waters and H. r. Torbert
The visitors present by invitation were: Rev.
A. p. Prettyman. Mr. L. Pugh. of oxford: II.
c. Mcdowell, II. II. Smith. Hugh NJ Cameron,
Charles Morris, John Clifford and David
Mcdowell.
Reports ofeXperiments being in order, Mr.
Michiner said that for a number of years past
he had been sowing one and half bushels Of
wheat to the acre, but the year past he had
sown one bushel per acre. so far as he could
judge by the crop grown this year, there was
hut little difference in quantity. This year
he had sOwn Jones' winter tlfc, heretofore he
had sown the Fultz variety. Possibly the diff
ference in variety may have had something
to do with the result.
Mr.. Clifford said that in the past September
he sowed rye. common clover. common red
clover. giant clover and timothy mixed, ten
quarts to the acre, for pasturage. The clover
does mt show so well: the rye is very good.
and the prospect is excellent for pasture next
spring.
Mr. Mcdowell thought the mammoth
clover was better as II fertilizer than the Grim
son variety, because it was deeper rooted.
But it does not afford second cutting.
Mr.. Duyckinck thought that the variety OF
seed had less to do with getting growth OF
seed was sown. If a good stand can be got
in the fall, the clover will last.
Mr.. Kirk thought that the mammoth variety
seed is cut from the first growing as it gener
ally dies out after the first cutting.
Mr. Clifford said he had ordered mammoth
clover Of a dealer and when it was placed
with a large dealer in seeds, it was called red
saplng.
There being no further reports of expert
ments, and the regular essay being in order,
Mr. Clifford presented the following paper on
SOME NEEDED REFORMS.
The election being over and the result
known to all of u.s. and pleased or not ac-
cording to whether We were on the winning
or losing side, we can now give our attention
to some practical matters on which l think
we.can all agree, Notwithstanding that we
may, during the heat Of the campaign, seem
to be widely apart in our ideas of public
policy. think we all desire to further the
best interests Of our State and county. and
there is wide field where we may act all
together. not as partizans but as citizens,
proud of our common country, and alike
Jealous for its welfare, wherein lies the
ground for the stability of our American
institutions. that beneath the controversies
that at times separate us, there is a common
brotherhood and deep love of all that
pertains to our common good.
Fortunately too, so far as our county is
concerned, in the changes in general that
need to be made, think it will be conceded
by men Of all parties that our affairs have
been conducted with an honest purpose to
serve the public and not selfish ends.
There have been some instances where
s''>AN
ment, but upon the whole it may be allowed
to stand uncontradicted.
The changes and reforms needed refer not
so much to dereliction or negligence on the
part of public officials as in a change in some
of our laws and business methods.
First. By common consent We need re-
assessment of the property of the State and
county. That we will get it there is now no
doubt. Both parties in the contest just past
were pledged to this end. 1t is not meant by
this, that there can be any escape from taxa
tion or even quite heavy burden Of taxation,
for that is always necessity What is meant
is that there shall be an evening up or rather
in many cases an evening down of the assess
ments so that all property, whether in city
or country, town or village, shall bear its just
proportion, and only its just proportion, Of
public burden of taxation. This especially
applies to us as farmers, as we know to our
sorrow, that on account of the low prices Of
farm products, (never lower than now the
prices of farm lands have very greatly depre-
ciated while on the other hand because Of
the rapid growth of cities, towns and villages,
property in them has not only held its own
in value but there has been a rapid and in
many instances amazing increase in the value
of property therein. Now in such cases We
don't want to put disproportion of taxation
on the city, town and village. but only to
have the proper proportion preserved. In the
face of this state of facts, we are still nnder
an assessment made many years ago, when
this disproportion did not exist. Besides
there are many kinds of property arising out
of the inventions and the progress Of the day
which do not bear any burden at all, If any
a small part, while at the same time great
incomes and revenues are derived from the
class of properties mentioned. There is the
great growth of corporations with their vast
assets hard to find out and to reach after
being found out. We must find them out and
tax them when found out. Not that we would
wage any unjust war on corporations or take
part in the senseless outcry against them, but
only would seek to have them bear their just
share with US, in the burden we must all bear.
Without saying whose fault it is that we have
not had re-assessment in the past, let US be
thankful that we are really to have one now.
Second. The laws of the State need to be
so changed that a new assessment Of prop
erty may be had more frequently, but also