Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-25
Hon. Martin Calvin Presents Plan
For Securing a Georgia Exhibit

that there were half dozen or more gen.
tlemen connected with the department Of
agriculture either of whom might read
lily have been sent on the errand alluded
to. Judge Henderson suggested the en-
ployment of a man to be paid out Of the
governors contingent fund. Governor Ste
phens promptly objected and said that
fund was inadequate to its special pur-
poses. So the resolution went for naught.
North Carolina put $4,000 in an exhibit
at Boston in 1888, and large sums OF mon
ey were quickly invested in the mineral
sections of the state, and a large number
of sturdy farmers came down from the
inhospitable north (meaning the weather)
and cast their lot in a land where one can
winter through.
Now. that y a long story, but 1t Is his
tory and 1t points moral.
At the session of the legislature just
closed, at the suggestion and after consul
tation with Governor Aerrell, who Is alive
TO every interest of the commonwealth,
introduced a joint resolution authorizing
the commissioner of agriculture, with the
consent and approval OF the governor, TO
take such steps as might be necessary
to make our exhibits of the agricultural
products of Georgia at ST. Louis, 1904, pro-
vsded that the cost and expense Of the
same should be paid out of the regular
appropriation to that department..
The resolution was favorably reported
by the committee on general agriculture.
but was rejected by the house.
Since 1874. there has been annually APP
propriated to the department. of agrtcul-'
ture $4,000 for the purpose, as the act OF
1874 declares, of carrying out the objects
had in view in creating the department
Understand. the appropriation was made
a direct annual expense to the state; no
part OF it can be used to pay the salary
of the commissioner or his clerk; II Is en-
tirely independent of, and separate from
the fees arising from the inspection Of fell
tilizers and oils.
The object Of this annual appropriation
was and is to advance agriculture in this
state and to advertise the states agricul-
tural, mineral and kindred possibilities 10
the country at large.
In my judgment. the commissioner OF
agriculture has a perfect right under the
law to make the proposed exhibit He
does not need legislative sanction in this
matter any more than in printing and is
suing a handbook ! hope Colonel Ste
vens will take this view of the question
and go ahead with his part Of the work.
But how shall the people be reached
and aroused? For Colonel Stevens cannot
do all that needs to be done in order to
make creditable display of Georgia prod
ucts at st. Louis. In this way:
Let a number Of public spirited gentle
men, favorable to this movement, strike
hands and make a circuit of the state,
visiting the towns and cities, inviting the
people OF country and city to meet them.
In short, pointed speeches lay the matter
before the people, and give each person
present an opportunity to contribute, ac-
cording to his ability, to a fund to be
used in making at st. Louis an exhibit
of our varied products that viii do the
state proud.
Hon. Clark Howell. Hon. Hoke Smith,
Colonel r. J. Lowry, Hon. w. H. Vena-
BILE and Colonel d. NJ. Hughes would make
an exceptionally strong visiting commit
tee. 1t goes without saying that they could
interest and arouse contrymen and towns
men alike in this undertaking which is 50
full of possibilities for good to Georgia.
Respectfully. MARTIN V. CALVIN.
Augusta, Ga