The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-08
READING FOR FARMERS FAMILIES.
Governor Matthews Offers Some Sus-
gestions to state Reading Circle.

gestfOns to state Reau1H8 CircHe'
The annual meeting OF the Farmers Read
ing Circle of Indiana was held in the Office
of the superintendent of Public Instruction,
at the Statehouse, yesterday morning But
a small representation of the membership
was present, about a dozen men and women
being there. Governor Matthews was pres
ent and took part in the informal discus
sions. The purpose OF the society, as set
forth in little circular IL mas issued, is to
cultivate among the people of rural dis
tricts taste for the best literature, to
promote the intellectual and social advance
ment of farmers and their families and to
induce farmers children to pursue sys-
tematic method of self-culture~ 1t is also
declared to be the purpose of the society
to make the farmers life and home more
cheerful and attractive. Methods for pro-
noting the aims of the society were dis
cussed. Secretary H. F. Mcmahon, of Fair
field suggested the work ought to be turned
over to Purdue University
Governor Matthews doubted the wisdom of
the suggestion and said he feared too much
of a professional air might be- thrown about
the work if this course were pursued. Later
on the Governor said, he would be pleased
to see live public questions discussed by the
touched upon the Importance of making the
work so attractive it would reach the
homes Two years ago, he said, he had sent
a country boy a copy Of Scottish Chiefs"
for Christmas present. He said that boys
life was completely changed by the book.
The children might not, be interested by
the things that would interest the older
members of the family and all these things
should be taken into consideration in ar
ranging programmes of work for the cir
Gle. He dwelt upon the idea that special
efforts should be made TO reach the home
and the air of dizziness should be avoided
If the work were turned over to a college
it might acquire too much of scientific
flavor to interest the people. Secretary Nc
Mahon 0wet upon the necessity for ad-
vanced information upon rural subjects and
thought the farmer ought to keep In touch
with modern improvements. The farmer OF
the future, he thought, must be scientific
farmer or go to tne poornoa Is 49,, III , one
a taste will be developed that in the future
will induce them to take up the subject
in it's higher phases and enter agricultural
Mrs. Virginia c. Meredith, who calls her.
self a farmer, is deeply interested In the
work of the circle. She, like the Governor
thought il would be unWise to turn the
work over to Purdue University. Mrs Mer-
edith is an active worker in the General
Federation of Womens Clubs in this State
doing along the lines laid down by the
reading circle. She believed before long
good results would begin to show them
selves. j. A. Mount did not believe the
work should be turned over to a college.
He said there is lack in the homes Of
the farmers college cannot supply. There
were a number of short suggestions in the
same strain and 1t appeared to be the de-
termination OF the individual members to
continue in the same course. Several pa
pers that had been prepared to be read
before the meeting were. upon the advice
of Mrs Meredith turned over to the secre-
tary of the State Board of Agriculture,
for insertion in the annual report OF that
organization, without reading. At the cleo
ton of officers the following were chosen
to serve this year:
President. A. Commons. Centerville.
Vice fresident-H. 8. K. Bartholomew,
Middlebury.
Secretary-H F. Mcmahon. Fairfield.
Treasurer. G. >Kingsbury, of Indianap-
oils.
Professor w G. Latta, Of Lafayette:
James A. Mount, Shannondale; Mrs. w. w.
Stevens, Salem; Miss Belle f. Callawey,
Cambridge City, and E. Nj. G. Hobbs, of
Salem. were elected members of the execu-
tive committee.