The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-11-20
Annual Convention of the State Associa-
ton of Farmers, Clubs

Annual Convention of the State Associa-
ton of Farmers Clubs.
The annual meeting of the Michigan
State Association of Farmers Clubs will be
held at the capitol building, in the city of
Lansing, Monday and Tuesday, Dec and
| s, 1896. The officers of the association be-
are, without exception, in favor of continu-
ing the line of work which has received
their earnest attention since the last annual
meeting and of concentrating the power OF
an effort TO secure q reduction of the public
expenditures in state, county and townships.
How to accomplish this result, without i'm
| pairing the usefulness OF any meritorious
institution, or the violation of individual
rights, is a question which has received the
! careful consideration of the local clubs dur
| ing MANY months past AS result OF
such discussion there has developed a re-
markable unanimity of opinion concerning
the advisability of certain specific charges in
the conduct of public affairs and also con-
corning the general plan of re.renchment,
which shall result in some relief from the
onerous burden Of taxation which falls with
such peculiar force upon the farmer.
Being united in our conclusions concern
ing the specific thing to be accomplished, it
remains for us to collectively declare those
noIuoiopc apd datarv,;pa ba rnaapa m ha
adopted for the accomplishment of our pur-
poses. This is the work which devolves
upon tho annual meeting. The association
directors recommend that the local clubs
instruct their delegates concerning all i'm
portant matters likely to come before the
meeting, and particularly concerning the
following declaration Of principles which
will doubtless be recommended for adop-
ton:
First-That all county officials be paid in
full for their respective services by stated
salaries, fixed by the respective boards of
supervisors; and that 1t be made criminal
offense for such officials to receive any fees,
or other perquisites in addition to their
salaries.
Further, that the fees collected IN county
offices be readjusted on an equitable basis,
and that hereafter, all such fees be turned
into the county treasury and become part
of the general fund.
Second-That no new state institutions be
established by the next legislature, and that
there be general wedding out of the I'M
profitable state institutions already in ex-
istence, and of unbusiness-like methods of
wherever they exist.
Third-That Michigan prisons should, in |
the aggregate, be made self.supporting.
Fourth-That provision be made whereby |
the estates of the insane, or those parties |
legally responsible for their support, shall
contribute either i'm full or in part as the |
shall warrant, toward the /
of said insane when confined
In the public asylums.
Fifth-That not more than the regular
one- sixth mill tax be granted to the Uni
Versity for the coming two years.
Sixth-That no changes be made in our
road laws whereby the maintenance of our
roads shall be made more burdensome than
1t present.
Seventh-That a more economical and
effective system for the collection of taxes
upon non resident land must be devised.
Eighth-That our tax system be amend
I'd so as to secure more equitable distribu-
ion of the burdens of taxation upon both
PERSONAL property and real estate, and upon
both corporate and private capital.
Every Farmers Club in the state is urged
10 send two delegates to the annual meeting,
md all who are in sympathy with our pur-
POSES are invited to meet with us.
The program for the meeting will soon
,e given to the press.
A. N. KNINus, JR, Pres.
b. f. PECKHAM, Sec'y and Treas.
f. M. SHEPARD,
III. A. DANIELS,
G. l.. HoYT,
j. L. DANIELS,
G. j. PHELPS,
w. IL. HowLETT,
Directors.