The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-03-18
Burton Farmers Club.


Farmers Club. which was held at the resi-
dence of K. o. Place. The sunshine was
out in all its softened spendor, and had
smoothed down the sharp edges of the
March atmosphere. and most of the men,
bers of the club were also out with either
runners or wheels land it was no small
problem, with the fast vanishing snow, to
decide which to venture upon) behind steeds
many of which, even the mayor of the
city within our county whose chief official
is in high clerical standing, might look up
on with envy.
The following named guests were pres
eDt: Mr. AMI Mrs. p. b. Reynolds and f.
M. Whelan. of the Maple River Farmers
Club; Mrs. Bartlett, Mrs. Buckminster,
Mrs. Willis, Mrs. l.. ID. Carson, Mr.. and
Mrs. j. III. Moyses, of Owosso, and Mrs.
Hynes Lake, of Saginaw Co.
The morning exercises were opened by
the reading of a scripture lesson and prayer
by Chaplain N. M. Randall, and the singing
of "Gather in the Sheaves," by the club.
After dinner all Joined in singing "Ameri-
Ca" Mrs. Willis acted as organist for the
day.
The law relative to the sale and use of
OleOmargarine was given in full by Repre-.
sentative Shepard, and discussed at length
by G. r. WOodin and others, the general
opinion being that the law Is just, and IL
strictly adhered to, would in no way inter-
fere with the butter industry, IL good
quality of butter is put upon the market.
The question of free seed distribution by
the government, was given to G. r. Wood
in who said, in substance, that the farmers
did not get the value of the money expended.
"Would 1t not be better to make laws to
protect our own people, than to enlarge our
territory" called out lengthy talks on the
liquor traffic and its evils, and suggestions
for its remedy. Mr.. Randall thought our
laws were good enough If properly enforced.
Mr.. MOyses suggested a remedy for the
great evil of intemperance, which had been
tried by an African king with great success.
He had found that intoxicating drinks had
been brought into his country, and were de-
grading and working ruin to his subjects.
He therefore sent forth an edict that who
ever drank, bought, sold, gave away, or had
any dealing with it of whatever nature,
should be decapitated. Thereafter no one
was found guilty of using it. So In our own
country, If the laws were so enacted and so
executed that whoever drank the stuff
should have his head cut off, he would
never drink any more.
''Should the Hawaiian Island be annexed
to the United States," was the next topic
under consideration. Papers were read by
Representative Shepard, Mrs. Geo. Stan
lake, and Mrs. Snyder, giving the location,
description, and resources of the islands,
the occupation, customs, manners and hab-
its of their people, and all of the arguments
for and against annexation that have been
given to the public through the press. The
papers were all we'll written and full of in
teIest Mr.. Shepard in conclusion said he
did not believe, under the present condi-
tions, the annexation of the islands adyisa-
BILE. Mrs. Stanlake would have them an
nexed. Mrs. Snyder was not prepared to
decide the matter, but thought perhaps II
would be better to let the women vote, in.
stead of giving the Chnaman, Asiatics and
natives that power. Mr.. Whelan was in
favor of annexation for educational pur-
poses and humanity's sake. In his general
remarks he advised moderation and the
avoiding of undue zeal in our works and
intercourse with one another.
Farmers Institutes, should the State
make appropriations for their support, and
Is the present management satisfactory
l.. s. Bowles was strongly opposed to the
appropriation on account of the precedent
1t would establish. j. w. Hibbard spoke
in high terms of praise of the institute
work, of its benefits to the people, under
the present management and recommended
the continuance of the State appropriation
for the institute work. President Reynolds
of the Maple River Club favored the appro
priation. He said when we have good
thing let us hold on to it until we get some
thing better. We are having some grand
good Institutes, and the interest should be
sustained. r. @. Shepard thought II the
continuance of the institutes depended up
on the local clubs for their finances there
would be no more Institutes.
j. w. Hibbard presented the following
resolution, which was passed by a small
majority:
Resolped, That the Burton Farmers Clut
favor further State appropriations fol
the farmers institute work.
Rep. Shepard, Geo. Stanlake, Geo. T.
Mason, LIS. Bowles, f. II. Rush, and @
r. Woodin we're among those who voted
against the resolution.
The president made the following ap
pointments: N. M. Randel, chaplain; G.
Il. Woodln and Mrs. j. w. Rose, committes
on program.
The exercises closed with talks from {
graphophone, which afforded great amuse
| mant The instrument was MANIPULATED