The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-01-31
Taxes, Roads, Agriculture.
Continued from page ID

proper ScIuptrS pIopctiy uoeu Wouiu piihS
good results.
Mr.. Orr thought farmers with any enter
prise for themselves. would do something
for the roads, Other short talks were given
and many methods talked of, but the pres
ent law was considered the best thing
available under present conditions Of bust
ness and financial status. The idea of work.
ing men serving terms in houses of correc-
ton and jails on the road was taken up and
found many strong advocates and opponents.
Some thought chain gang on the road
would be sad sight for the children and
make them brutal, while others thought 1t
would become an example for good, deter
ring the young from committing crimes.
The general sentiment was that the roads
were pretty fair and satisfactory to major
Ay.
The question, "Should farm houses have
names of residents thereon" was received
with general favor, and unanimous vote
In favor of it taken. A call for promise
to put the names on, resulted in about 30
who had rot done so already, promising to
do so within year.
Compulsory tree planting on the road
side as portion of tho highway work" was
not desirable, and row of trees II of any
size and in good numbers while considered
identifying was deemed by many an injury
to at least or rods of the adjoining fields
and not desirable il profit was to be made
from this portion of the land.
SHOW can taxation be reduced and the
best interest of the farmers be subserved,"
brought out among others, the following
opinions: M. Wilcox would cut off the
University one-sixth mill tax and make it
get along with the original appropriation,
tuition of students, and contributions of
alumnae; making foreign students pay ex-
ira He approved Gov. Rich's veto of the
University appropriation bill passed by the
last legislature.
Amos Parmenter thought the law and
medical department should be made self.
sustaining. Joe Purvis believed in every
student paying his share Of the expense of
the institution. j. @. A. Cook said the
University was one of the greatest institu-,
tions in the world; foreign nations hOnored
us for having it, and by sending students
here doubly honored us. He was willing at
all times to pay his one-sixth mill tax and
more If necessary that this one of the earll-
est institutions OF the state should remain
the pride of the world. He Was proud of
the young men in Shiawassee that repre-
scented the institution. Taxes might be re-
duced but not by cutting down on the Uni
yersity.
Mr.. Potter never had begrudged the one
sixth mill tax. Times were different than
100 years ago; men must be better educated.
The work in such institutions had made pos
sib!e the work of surgeons who make sound
people of wrecks, made them even better
than before injury. He did not want to
take any backward steps. The world was
better by contact with the men turned out
of the institutions.
John Whelan got the discussion back to
the tax question-pure and simple; taxation
was necessity but the Outgo must be
regulated. The family deprives itself of
luxuries when the income is small or de-
ereasing. Luxuries of 20 years ago could
not be enjoyed at present. The farmers
were the life of the whole community but
were not devoting time enough to outside
matters. Salaries of officials were too large
in proportion to that of others. More time
should be given to public meetings and dis
eussions. Money used for institutes by
states might be saved and other luxures
disposed of.
Tuesday evenings session was given up
entirely to men from outside of the county,
but the talks were good and highly interest
ing to the packed house that had gathered
many undoubtedly expecting to hear Gov.
Rich, who was called to Washington on
business. An instrumental trio by Misses
Martin. Mcbride and Cooper was excellent
ly rendered. Miss Edith Whelan favored the
audience with song that gave evidence of
the superior ability of the lady as musi
clan.
w. l.. Rossman, of Lansing, talking on
the subject, "Adulteration of Foods" told
of the many contemplate and dangerous
authorizations which were put on the market,
citing pepper at forty cents pound that
was made OF stuff costing less than two
cents a pound to manufacture and ''pure
cider vinegar" which had never even been
inside of cider barrel and cup full would
kill an ordinary man. The state was com.
ing rapidly to the front, however and the
vigilance Of the food commissioner was
such that many manufacturers were no
longer sending their limitations and adultera-
lions here. This work is of great value to
the farmer, as the products which he raises
are what should be used. the farmers, as
rule are highly In accord with the work
of the commissioner. VIM. Ball, of Ham
burg, one of the best known farmers in
Michigan, not only in farm work, but in
constant and successful efforts to secure
legislation in behalf of the producers and in