The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-04-23
FARMERS DEBATE
COUNTY EXPERT
At ETHAN HALL
Intense Interest Mani
tested Last Eve
nirg.
ASK FOR RETURN
Mt. Vernon Speakers Ask For
Another Discussion-Ques
ton Well Covered.
FOR RETURN

Oratory. humor. sage philosophy
and punsent sarcasm. were injected
into the debate at Ethan last evening
upon the question relating to the en-
ployment of an agricultural expert in
Dawson county. A throng of 200 per-
filled the town hall to overflow
ing. By agreement, no judges were
chosen to render d decision. q
The proposition for argument was
one that has aroused considerable at
tcntion throughout the county ever
since its agitation last fall and its
subsequent rejection by a majority
of the county commissioners. Several
weeks ago the Rome Township Far
mers'. club challenged the opponents
of the plan 10 debate. The challenge
being accepted, was carried to a eli
max last evening.
The wording of the resolution was
follows:
Resolved, that q special levy
tax to assist in the demopstra-
ton OF agriculture, as provided
by House Bill No. PIT passed by
the 1913 legislature, would be Il
burden TO the taxpayers of Davi-
son county, as the expense would
he greater than the benefits de-
rived therefrom."
The Six Debatcrs.
The speakers on the affirmative
were L.. p. Sherman and J.. E. Fur
land of Mt. Vernon, and John II.
Tohn of Tobin township. Against the
resolution were Carl Rosenauist, A.
]. Frantz and Charles Boreson, all Of
Rome township. Sollie Nolt, Of Ethan
presided as chairman of the gather
ing. Fifteen minutes was allowed
each speaker.
Mr.. Sherman was the first speaker.
He explained several features of the
bill mentioned in the statement of
the question and, attacking the mea-
sure. asserted that it was extremely
easy to obtain the necessary 15 per
of signers to a petition in favor
of such a bill aid then to secure the
cooperation OF three of the five
county commissioners.
"hor any petition except for the
raising of money" said Mir. Sherman,
Il. could get that many signatures
in the back alleys of Mitchell" AS
indicative of the sentiments against
the hiring of an agricultural expert,
he stated that 800 persons at Mt.
Vernon had signed 81 remonstrance
to the petition for an expert for Da-
vison county.
He charged that the county expert
at Aberdeen was sending out irrigat-
ed alfalfa seed to the farmers. The
farmers, and not some so-called scien
tific demonstration, must solve their
problems. Arguing by analogy, he
cited q couple of instances of farm
ers in South Dakota who had follow
ed the advice of the agricultural col
lege experts with disastrous results.
Practice. not theory. is what is need
ed, was his conclusion.
Cost Would Be Low.
For the negative. Carl Rosenquist
contradicted Mr.. Sherman's state
ment that a one-halT mill tax would
have to be levied under the provision
of the bill, showing that the assess
ment would not amount tt more than
Is cents per $1,000 of taxable pro-
.perty. This could not be burdensomc
to anyone.
He produced a mass of interesting
statistics in support of his conten-
lions. In Minnesota the average year
ly expense of a county agricultural
agent is but little over $4,000. The
average annual cost of such a man
in Dawson county would amount only
to $1.50 per taxpayer. The county cx-
pert plan has never been abandoned
where given a fair trial.
Mr.. R%osennuist told of the nature
of the work required of the expert,
showing that he would be the farm
ers' friend and advisor, and not in
any sense a dictator, as claimed by
the opposition. He would help to
exert an influence both socially and
educationally which would serve to
make farm life more attractive.
/ Agent u Failure.
In reply Mr.. Holm referred to his
opponents as more handy with the
pen than with the pitchfork." The
proposed county agent would be as
great a failure as the much ridiculed
rain-maker. The employment Of such
an official would lead to other insti-
NShOhS MINI WOuiQ YiOSC Il OuLACN
to the taxpayers. An ounce of preven-
ton is worth a pound of cure when II
comes to the Consideration of such
expensive schemes as the one propos.
ed. He concluded with the ohserva-
ton that -the farmers do not need
anyone to tell them how to plant
potatoes, and the like, but rather
lsofneone to help them gain equal
rights"
Nj. Frantz rebutted one after an.
other of the statements of the op.
posing affirmative speakers. The
comfy expert will not be an expert.
mentor, he said, b.. a demonstra-
tor. "Is it not a good thing for the
county or state to appropriate funds
for the good of the community" he
asked. There are three main source
of u nations wealth; the forests
the mines, and the soil. Thestwo for.
mer have been wasted and consumed
in largep art. Hence the soil must be
conserved. Toward this end the coun.
,ty expert will prove invaluable. Hf
also will give great aid in checking
the diseases of stock and grain.
J Mr.. Furland, the third affirmative