Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-11-24
MARTIN LEAVES
THE DEPUTYSHP
Has Been in the Office Since
1899 and Developed Farmers
Institute Work

Algernon l.. Martin, of Lawrence
county, deputy secretary OF agriculture
since April %, 1899. and one of the
best st-known officials of the State gov
ernment, especially in the rural dis
tricts, to-dav resigned his office to take
effect at the end of the month.
Mr.. Martin was the second man to
be named to the deputyship, having
succeeded John Hamilton when he
was named as secretary of agriculture
by William A. Stone. He has had
much to do with the development OF
the States educational work among
the farmers and has made thousands
of addresses at farmers meetings,
The resignation was presented to
Secretary Patton to-day who accepted
it with expressions of regret. Mr..
Martins resignation was as follows:
For the past six months have pa
tiently waited with the expectation
that my successor would have been ap-
pointed to the position which am now
filing, Since up-to-date no action has
been taken in this matter, so far as 1
can learn, and desiring to be relieved
from the responsibilities as deputy sec
retary of agriculture and director of
farmers institutes. ] herewith present
than November 80.
My decision in this matter is actu-
ated by no other than kindly personal
good will and wishing you abundant
success in your administration"
Mr.. Martin issued this review of his
work for the last sixteen years:
'''In laying down the work that has
occupied my time and attention for the
past Is years / take some degree of
90 iufa Ntinfl in fha rnCIIltG that have
been accomplished in the Farmers In
stitute and Advisory work in the State.
have served the public for over 23
years of which six years was devoted
to legislative work, during the ses-
sions of 1898, 1895 and 1897 being an
active member of the agricultural
committee and serving as chairman
the session of 1897. When the insti-
tute work was taken up in 1899 | was
appointed deputy secretary of agricul-
ture and director of farmers institutes
and take great pride in the develop
ment of the work from that date, at
which the small attendance of 10000
annually has grown to 100000 annu-
ally, at that time upwards of 10 coun-
ties were disorganized, practically
eliminated from the work as COM
pared with the present conditions uni
versal harmony prevails in every coun-
make it practically impossible to sup
ply the demands coming from the
various counties requesting additional
farmers institutes and special meet
ings.
THE only regret that ] have to offer
is that the last Legislature felt the
necessity of reducing our appropri-
alton funds from $1,000 to $4,000
which seriously crippled the work es-
pecially since the Governor was eX
ceedingly anxious to develop agricul-
ture. AS an outgrowth of the farm
ers institutes the farm advisory work
was organized in 1913 when an appro-
priation of $4,000 was authorized for
this work which is performing splen-
did service in the State and should In
my judgment be enlarged upon in con-
nection with the farmers Institutes
During the years of service mistakes
have no doubt been made but it gives
me pleasure to say that my public SER
vice has been ever with the. thought
of upbuilding agriculture in all its
branches. In retiring TO my farm
home / want to thank the members of
the Board of Agriculture and Chair
men of institutes as well as the press
of the State for their kind cooperation
in advancing the work throughout
PENNSYLVANIA. The friendship ce-
mented through these years of con-
tacht with the actual farmers of the
State and the confidence reposed in
me is such that will be held in endur
ing remembrance. My final advice to
all these forces is to remain steadfast
in the work of upbuilding the great
occupation