Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1899 — NINTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FARMERS' INSTITUTE [ARTICLE]

NINTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FARMERS' INSTITUTE

Jin Interesting Session Held and a Goodly Number of People in Attendance Each Day.—Minutes and Resolutions of the Meeting.

The 9th Annual Session of the Jasper County Farmers’ Institute met at Rensselaer, Ind., Jan. 13th, 1899. Meeting called to order at 9 a. m., President Strong in chair. Song, Coronation by convention. Reading scriptures and prayer by Rev. Middleton. Address by president. Appointment of committees: On resolutions: S. P. Thompson, F. W. Bedford, George O. Pumphery. Executive committee: M. F. Chilcote, George Pumphrey, D. H. Yeoman, Mrs. S. P. Thompson, Mrs. Frank Foltz. Election of officers for the next year, J. E, Alter, Pres.; L. Strong, Vice Pres.; C. D. Nowels, Sec’y. Report of Committee on library was read by M. F. Chilcote and on motion was called the Jasper Library Association, it was then referred to coni, on resolutions. L. E. Glazebrook read a very able paper on “The Farm and Farmer.” Practical methods of conducting institue work by F. W. Bedford and others. Mr. Riley then took up the subject “How to Buy and Pay for a Farm.” “Clover for Profit’’ was then taken up by J. A. McFarlin followed by F. W. Bedford and J. A. Cox. Adjourned to Ip. m. Number present at this session 60. 1 p. m. —Subject, “Practical Corn Culture” led by James Riley. Song, “My Old Ox Team” by J. E. Alter and son. “Farm Botany,” by J. E. Alter. “The Farmers’ Friends and Enimies,” by J. A. McFarland. “How to Feed Cattle,” by W- E. Moore, followed by Mr. Pumphrey, Mr. Wishard, James Yeoman, A. Parkison and others. “Public Roads,” by B. D. Comer, followed by Mr. Wishard, S. P Thompson, Mr. Bellows and others. Solo by Miss Morgan. Adjourned to Bp. m. Number present 200. Evening Session called to order by Mrs. J. F. Warren, chairman protem. Song by High School. “How to Hold Young People on the Farm,” by James Riley. Recitation by Miss Floy Nowels. Music by High School. “Social Purity in the Home,” by Mrs. Wm. Day. Recitations by Nellie Nichols and Alice Drake. Solo by Miss Whorton. Recitation by Miss Bessie Parker and Iva Washburn. “Making a Home on the Farm,” by J. A. McFarlan. Song by High School. Adjourned to 9a. m. Saturday. Number present this session 300. Saturday morning called to order by President Strong who introduced L. E. Glazebrook as chairman protem. Song, Our Country, by institute prayer by Rev. Sheppard. “How to Meet Changed Conditions,” by J. A. McFarlan, D. H. Yeoman, F. W. Bedford. “How to Increase the Soil’s Fertility,” by James Riley, followed by Dr. Washburn and Mr. Bellows. “Health On the Farm,” by Dr. Washbum, Mr. Stinson, Dr. Kannal and Mrs. Day. “Care and Management of Hogs,” by James Riley. “How to Keep Up the Soil,” was again brought up and fully discussed. Song and Instrumental music, by J. E. Alter and sons. Adjourned, number present 100. Afternoon session called to order and presided over by J. E. Alter. Instrumental music by Alter Brothers. “Sheep Husbandry,” by August Stinson, Lewis Alter, Cox, Bellows and others. “Fruit Orchards” by M. Y. Slaughter, who gave methods of planting, pruning and culture. “The Future of Farmers’ Institutes,” by S. P. Thompson. Report on Resolutions called for, read and adopted as a whole. R. S. Dwiggins read a resolution which was adopted as a part of the general resolutions. “Poultry for Profit,” by Mrs. D. A. Stoner. Recitation, by Miss Iva Washburn. “Black Leg in Cattle,” by F. W. Bedford. Song by Alter family. \ Adjournment, number present thia session 300. Saturday evening session opened with L. Hamilton in the chair.

Song by school boy, “Booby” Teuter. “Should Small District Schools be Discontinued?” by Lewis Hamilton and D. B. Nowels. Recitation by Mary Michaels. “Our District Schools,” by Clara Parker, Wm. Day, Merl Gwin and L. Strong. Song by Ernest Zea, this brought down the house. Song by Mabel Huff. “Teaching Agriculture in Our Public Schools,” Prof. Sanders and S. P. Thompson. Recitation by Nellie Drake, also a funny recitation by J. E. Alter. Adjourned, number present this session 400. Thus closed the most interesting and useful institute that was ever held in this county. Those who engaged in the work are deserving of the highest commendation for the manner in which they engaged in the work and zeal and interest manifested. The papers read were scholarly productions and showed high state of mind, culture and care in preparing them. The recitations and music was of a high order and very worthy of commendation. This is only the beginning, let us all join in making the next one better. Respectfully submitted, C. D. Nowels, Sec’y.

RESOLUTIONS. The Committee on Resolutions reported the following which were adopted. Whereas, the agricultural is now a well organized department of our national government and the farmers stand at the forefront of competition for what the world wants, there - ore it is their duty to invoke, as aids to decrease the cost of production and produce the best of everything, law, science, invention, system and organization, hold educational fairs and re-unions. And we should take due care that our organizations are not side-tracked and made to minister to evil purposes for socalled popularity. а. Whereas, on March 6, 1865, the state accepted from the nation a gift of $125,000 which was supplemented by a donation by John Purdue of $150,000, and 100 acres of land to found Purdue University and a farmer’s experiment station, so that each count}' is entitled to two free scholarships therein, we recommend that our Board of Commissioners appoint to such scholarships young people devoted to farming who (nay become teachers and leaders of the institute work in Jasper County. 3. Whereas, the Farmer’s Institute is the child of wise legislation by our Gen'l. Assembly of 1889, a part of its mission is to pr.-pare the minds of the people to make and administer still better laws. We therefore approve the recommendations of our Farmer Governor to so amend our school law that the principles of agricultural chemistry and botany be taught in our public schools. 4. Whereas, the beneficent Drainage Statute recommended at our second annual session has been construed in our courts in such a man - ner that petitioners may be oppressed at the will of the board of commissioners, we therefore recommend that the same be so amended that petitioners bear only their fair, just and equitable, share of the expenses of all outlet drainage. 5. The recommendations of our institute last year supplemented t>y the petitions of several hundred citizens, that the county, city and land owners combine to improve the drainage and sewerage outlet of the Iroquois river at and above the city of Rensselaer,to the end that we have better streets, highways health and lands is hereby indorsed. We can never take rank as a county without improving our outlets for drainage. б. In the legislature of 1889 the state donated sufficient to remove the rock barriers to the drainage of the Kankakee Valley, and we fa v or the movement of the landowners to straighten and deepen the channel of said nver so that the taxable property of the state be increased and the state be fully compensated for its munificence. We recommend to the general assembly the passage of statutes to prevent the spread of animal and vegetable diseases including the Sau Jose Scale and other enemies of the fruit growers, and we ask our secretary to mail a newspaper containing a copy of these resolutions to our Representative. Hon. A. F. Knotts, of Lake county,and our Senator, Hon. T. W. O’Conner, of White county. 8. We approve all efforts of the Board of Commissioners and Circuit Court to promote due economy in the administration of public business. ' *

9. We endorse and approve the use of a room in the Court House by the Grand Army of the Republic and of another as a ladies waiting room, and we also recommend the free use of the east court room for all educational and political conventions including farmers’ institutes. 10. We thank our officers, the High School Quartette, and all who contributed time and talent toward the success of the I nstitute. We specially thank Charles B. Steward for the free use of a musical Instrument. 11. We requestthe newspapers of the county to mention our work and resolutions, and commend the publication of the able paper of Lee K. Glazebrook on the farm and farmer. We also recommend that our county papers publish under the proper caption the suggestions of the -farmers of the county touching their work. We approve the project of forming a free public library and we ask the Board of Commissioners that it give the library, if organised, proper quarters in any unoccupied rooms of theoourt house free of charge. And we recommend farmers to encourage and patronize the same when established. We also reccommend the appointment of a committee to consist of one person from each incorporated town, city or township in the county with five

from Ren**el«erto solicit Mibacription* J donation* to report at Commimioner's Coott, on the first day of their March Term. 18BR. And that each member of said committee be •applied with a copy of the proposed Article* of Association. Believing a* we do, that the newspaper* of the county are the moat potent factor* to arousing public interest on the vital and material questions of the day, and in moulding public sentiment; and also believing that the best interests of the farming community will be greatly promoted by the discussion of practical questions relating thereto. Therefore, resolved that alltbe newspaper* in the county be requested to devote at least one column of their several paper* to the discunions of such question*. To the end that such discussion may be interesting and that there shall never be a lack of questions to talk and write about, a commimittee of three shall be appointed by the chairman of this meeting* whose duty it shall be to propound at least three interrogatories each week and furnish each paper in the county a copy thereof for publication. All persons interested in the advancement of the best interest of agriculture, are requested to write answers to at least one of such interrogatories, and send the same to their paper for publication. Respectfully submitted, S. P. Thompson. ) F. W. Bedford. yCom. Geo. O. Pvmfhrey. ) The committee to whom was referred the matter of organizing a County Library beg leave to report that tney have carefully considered the provisions of law. in reference thereto and are of the opinion that a permanent Librarv Association should be formed so as to combine the influence of the Township and City, as well as the county authorities in support thereof. We also recommend that in its organization and management .the farmers be invited to share, and that in due course of time a reading room, museum, and art gallery b.- attached to preserve and exhibit specimens 'jf all kinds of agricultural results that may be of interest, and useful in promoting that industry. It has been no easy matter to formulate a plan of organization ard it is with modest misgivings that we submit for consideration to this Institute the following articles of Association for consideration, amendment and acceptance. M. F. Chilcote. > S. F. Thompson. 1 Com. C. E. Mills. '

The undersigned do hereby incorporate themselves for the purpose of securing and maintaing a free public library in the csy of Rensselaer, township of Marion, and County of Jasper, in the State of Indiana.ar.d adopt the following articles of Association to-wit: Name. 1. The corporate name of this Association shall be "The Jasper Library.” which shall be engraven on the Corporate Seal. Membership. 2. Any inhabitant of Jasper County. Indiana may become a member of this Association by subscribing and paying for one or more shares of stock. The County Clerk, Auditor and Recorder shall be members and directors by virtue of their office. Officers. 3. The officers shall consist of a Board of Seven Directors, of whom the County Clerk. County Auditor and County Recorder shall be three, a Treasurer and a Librarian. Tehvre of Office. 4. The Librarian and Treasurer shall serve one year. At the first election, one Director shall be chosen for four years, one for three years, one for two years, and one for one year and at each annual meeting thereafter shall be chosen one Director to serve four years, and one Treasurer and Librarian. One of Directors shall be chosen as President, at the first meeting of the Directors after the first Monday of January in each year. Salaries. None of the officers shall be paid for their services except the Librarian, who shall act as Custodian and Secretary. He shall also perform all duties imposed by a Statute of the By Laws and shall give bond in the sum of One Thousand Dollars with at least two free hold sureties conditioned to perform all duties and to render an account at the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders. Stockholders.

The shares of stock shall be printed of the uniform denomination of five dollars and shall be non-assessable and non-taxable. The County, City. Township or any municipal or other corporatson or any adult man or woman who is a resident of the county, may subscribe for or hold shares of stock. The librarian shall keep a list of all stockholders and the number of shares owned by each. At each meeting of the stockholders the librarian shall call the names of stock-owners and if present each shall cast a vote for each share of stock owned. Revenues. The revenues of the library shall be derived from the sale of stock, the collection of penalties, the receipt of donations, appropriations by the Board of Commissioners doing county business or by the Circuit Couft, also from taxes levied by the township, county or city. Tl e books and property of the Association may be derived by purchase, assignment by law. or by loan or gift from authors, publishers or friends of the library. Classes of Books. The books owned by the library shall be divided into three classes. First, law books and publications by state and national authority; second, reference books and all books loaned to the library; third, books owned by the library for free circulation. Tbe library may also subscribe for newspapers and periodicals to be read and kept on file. Each book or periodical shall .be marked and designated by showing the source from which it came and the classto which it belongs: Scope. The library is intended to include the Circuit court, county, township and city libraries, and in due time have connected therewith a museum, gallery of art, reading room, lectures, night school and gymnasium. Patrons. Every Inhabitant of the city of Rensselaer, and township of Marion or county of Jasper, shall have free use of the library by observing the By-Laws of the Association and may, by giving proper security, have the loan of any book in the circulating library for such period as the By-Laws may prescribe. Incorporation. When fifty shares have been subscribed and paid for by more than seven persons then these articles may be recorded. In case of the death, resignation or removal of any o the original incorporators, their shares may be assigned to other share holders and any share holder in good standing may by consent of the Board of Directors assign any share. Tbe original incorporators shall not be decreased but may be increased. Meetings OF Directors. The librarian has authority to call a meeting of directors at any time, and when they have met they may adopt such by-laws and prescribe such penalties as will secure proper care for tbe property of tbe Aasodatton.