The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-11-27
CECIL FARMERS CLUB.
REGULAR NOVEMBER MEETING
AT MR.. J. P. WILSON'S.
An Essay on Retrenchment jr Local
Office Holders Salaries Pro-
yOkeS Discussion,

vOkeS Discussion,
The regular monthly meeting Of the Cecil
Farmers Club was held at "Idowild," :" the
beautiful homestead of Mr.. John p Wilson,
near Sylmar, November 17th. Al II o'clock
Mr.. A. Kirk. president pro tenn, ordered the
call of roll, when the following rnspouded:
]. II. Maxwell, Morris j. Ree&rr, Rov. d. T..
Shaw, John p Wilson, A. Kirk T.. s. Duy-
ckinck. Visitors present by invitation: Prof
John Rendell, of Lincoln University: Will
lam II. Riddle Hugh NJ Cameron, Of Zion:
Ross ]. Wilson. Symar L. Z. Ewing Ris-
ing sun; DR.. John b. Slicer Farmington
The minutes of the last meeting being read
and approved. experiments being in order,
Mr.. Reeder said he had picked As bushels Of
apples of the York Imperial variety, barreled
them, and let the barrels lie on their sides
under the trees until convenient to move
them, which was in about three weeks. at
which time he had assorted 2S bushels and
less than a bushel had rotted and specked.
Th" cider apples, treated in II similar man
ncr one-third, if not n greater per cent had
fallen. which speaks we'll for the York I'm.
periaI.
Mr.. Ewing picked his apple. early, and
treated them in "A similar manner to Mr.
Reeder, but they did not keep Mr. Kirk
spoke of seeing Indications Of decay. leaves
In the early Fall drying up and th" trees be-
coming defoliaged while tn" tree is nppar-
entity green and vigorous.
Prof. RenIell spoke Of tha origin and his
,r 81,
was hedge tree that grew in Nor.. county.
and was paradise tor the sput-m lnte
in the Fail. Feasting ON this luscious fruit
was one of the features o the lays hunt,
and to-day are the much sought after apple.
His plan for Keeping apples to expose
for a season to the changes IT weather and
hole them on Il high ple". of trouud. and
advocates the very early nu ,ar' varieties.
Mr.. Wilson being disappointed in getting a
lecturer from College Part, has, " prepared
the following essay:
Fellow Members Of Club-Wr nave had
from time to time. papers on wheat cultiva-
ton, the best mode the cost p"rarrc; the plant
ing of potatoes, whether cut, wnoJr or seed; ;
the production Of the various ,rt~scs; the
utility of lime; feeding Of cjtttI- ia tl' dairy
ing interest; taxation and lrrr silver; the
various subjects pertaining tu nur calling
have been in Il measure exhausted | have
thought that since reform j. IN The air it
might be good time to agItatr the question
of retrenrhment. The mov"mrut that cul-
minated in the changing Of the old collector
system to that of Il cou.ty treasurer. believe
originated in this club Tn" Agricultural
Society Of Cecil county. Of which Cecil
was prond in its early day, likewise had its
origin i'll the Cecil Farmers can. There is
another Herrulean task that rJufr nts US
in these times Of depression which seen to he
imperatiye-in the days not of our fore
fathers. but in the recollection "f most Of us
present-the machinery OF our vrrnm"nt,
County, State aud National WAS operated a
half the cost to tine taXpaNrr- that it is
to-day; the whole rctinue OF our county Off
cials would question the rrnpr."ty OF
retrenchmcnt if it Means less salary. We
have witnessed some almost luIlrruus at
tempts ut reform or rttr"n"hmrnt. Our
Commissioners Court eating down the
wages of the men that shovel on the road,
but never saying Il word about u cut in their
own salary Our School Buaih huvr adopted
system of day pay, that affects di-astrOUsIy
the poor toiling teachers, hut never a word
about reducing the compensation they
receive, and so on we might 20 through the
whole list Our county Offices to-day are
prinrey siuecures.
Ny,u f1 II,,r tb., f,.,t
officials are necessary To operate the machin-
cry of our government, but is it wise for
buraened Taxpayers to pay double for u ser
vice that can be equally we'll performed for
half the compensation. Now VT do not favor
putting out offices to the lowest bidder. but
we do protest against princcly salaries for
the service performed We would favor a
cut of one-third in every Office that is within
thr gift of the people Whor" stipulated
salaries are paid they perhaps do not seem
so high, but fees round them out Another
matter of questionable proprety is the
accepting of passes on the railroads trayers
ing our county and State This We think is
especially reprehensiDle ia th0s" occupying
Legislative position the acceptance Of which
places LtElSIatOr under EOmh restraint ana
in proportion forfeits the interests OF his
constituents. This think, in many states is
forfeiture of office. In our neighhorin, State
OF Pennsylvania, they are so jealous of the
influence chat may be excrted ON iuries in
cases of the opening Of roads or assessing of
damages, that any entertainment or favor in
anyway accepted Of parties Interested annuls
the whole proceedings. These we look upon
as wholesome restraints. and might be pro-
ftably adopted. We as farmers recognize
the fact that the burden of taxation falls dis
proportionately heavy upon the farmer.
Under the old regime the proportion was
eleven to three, and doubt not. the relative
proportions are not materially changed under
the new assessment. Let US have more
money spent on county roads and less in
county towns Another innovation on our
former expensive system is of holding elec
tions-this much hoasted and Landed Austria
lian System. While there are some sale
guards and perhaps greater privacy, il is an
expensive system, making place for a small
army Of local party workers to run the gaunt-
let, from which the average modest man
would shrink. After being edged into the
stall like bullock in close pen, you are