The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-31

members of the institute to the fact
that although an overwhelming senti-
ment existed throughout the State in
favor of the passage of what is known
as the Virginia state Farmers Insti-
tute limestone grinding bill. ii was
defeated at the last session OF the
Legislatures: that u large majority of
both the Senate and the House were
II favor of the bill, but that 1t was
SO long delayed in tho Finance Com
mittee of the House BY those who OPP
posed 1t, but who were not brave
enough to vote against 1t upon re
corded vote. that in order to secure Its
consideration there the committee
was dismissed. The bill passed the
House by an overwhelming ma jority.
but reached the Senate too late In
the session and lacked one vote of
securing the two-thirIs vote necessary
to its consideration.
/ Farmers from all over the State at
great Inconvenience and expense to
themselves. and without hcpe of ccm-
pensation or reward. went to Rich
mond and appeared before the COM
mlttees OF the Legislature having the
bill under consideration only TO he
met ana defeated by the allied manu-
lecturers Of limo and their retainers.
To Arouse Farmers.
IN order to demonstrate the difficult
ties which confront the agricultural
interests OF the State in any effort to
secure remedial legislation, and TO
arouse them TO a senDe OF the gravity
Of the situation in the State, / read
to them paper which was entitled "A
Summary of Legislation Considered
More or Less Hurtful to Public Ser
vice Corporations introduced in the
General Assembly. Session 1905"
This paper was sent to me as presi-
dent of the Virginia State Farmers
Institute, and was evidently the re-
pert OF an agent OF certain public
service corporations advising their
principals OF the successful outcome
Of their efforts in securin:; the defeat
Of legislation deemed hurtful to them,
but without any regard to the merit
Of the proposed oills from the stand
point of the general public.
The report went so far as to name
Messrs. c. V Meredith ). IS. p Pate
son and Nyndham r. Meredith. promi-
ncnt public spirited citizens OF the
highest character. who in their zeal
for the public good had aided in
the drafting and preparation of GER
tain bills deemed hurtful 10 public
service corporations 1t was lavish
in It's praise Of the services rendered
the corporations by Mr.. w. 3. Nell
waine. of Petersburg. and Mcssrs
scott. Buchanan and Cardwell of
Richmond. to whose efforts they prin-
cipally attibuted the defeat of the
bills.
l made practically no comment upon
the report. but left it to my auditors
to draw their own conclusion as to
the conditions affecting legislation in
the State.
My address was commended by Gov
ernor Mann. who delivered an able
speech. in which among other things
he promised to reco .nmend in his next
message 10 the Legislature the en-
dctment of a law providing for the
esta biishment OF lime grinding plants
by the State, and he there stated that
he felt sorry a times for the farmers
as they were the only class that was
not represented by lobby before the
Legislature.
My attitude upon the several cues
tons discussed by me was approved
by the Institute, for ii unanimously
adopted without the slightest direct or
indirect solicitation or suggestion on
my part. highly commentators res
olution. the terms OF which appeared
in your issue of the 18th OF August
requesting the board OF directors, in
view of my expressed desire to retire
from the presidency, to re-elect me
as president for the ensuing year
The press throughout the State with
practical unanimity gave support and
encouragement TO our endeavor.
a Rambling From Roanoke
Out OF clear sky on Saturday, Au-
gust II, there came a ruInbling from
Roanoke. An editorial appeared in
the Evening News of that city. en-
titled "A Mares Nest" belaboring
The Times-Dispatch because OF the
publication of the report above referred
to. and for engaging in an alleged
reckless fight against public corpora
tions and private character.
AT the same time, but with acerbity,
my address before the Virginia State
Farmers Institute was referred to by
the Evening News Sarcastic reference
was made to my personal appearance,
and great stress was laid upon the
fact that although my hands did not
, appear in a photograph. which accom-
panied your offending article. the tips
of gloves showed from pocket in my
coat, giving thereby conclusive evil
dence that his (my) hands must be
calloused by much gripping of scythes.
rakes, hoes, pillow handles and other
agricultural implements"
The article. though intended to irri-
tate. amused me. Like you. 1 was in
clined to regard 1t as the exercise by
provincial editor of his inalienable
right to cut his teeth upon a metro
politan journal. l should not have
given It further thought but for an
editorial which appeared in the Vir-
einian communicated by Mr.. Williams,
in which he again refers TO me-"To
the twenty-five massacred measures
! besprinkled with the hot tears of Mr..
Westmoreland Davis. recent recruit
from New York"
My personal appearance is of no
moment to me. nor can 1t have interest
for the public. The suggestion that
man with gloves has no place among
the farmer is worthy OF more con-
sideration. The presidents of all the