State Agricultural Society. 4G7 



makers for the encouragement of this, as well as many other industries 

 now only awaiting such action, that we shall see this, the sugar interest 

 of this State, grow to immense proportions. 



REFORMS. 



The first reform that I shall mention is a radical change in the pro- 

 gramme laid down for the conducting of our Agricultural College. Let 

 there be established immediately a branch of Agricultural Chemistry, 

 where the different processes used in this manufacture shall be taught, 

 that our own sons may be taught the science. Second, let the Legislature 

 repeal the Specific Contract Act, that money may become cheaper. 

 Third, let them also pass a No-fence Law, to induce immigration to our 

 State. 



FREIGHTS AND PARES. 



Fourth, regulate freight and passenger tariff by rail in this State — 

 especially the local roads — not, however, in a spirit of factious opposi- 

 tion on general principles to the railroad interest. The reform, to my 

 mind, is necessary and paramount to all others mentioned, before we 

 can hope to see the great agricultural wealth of the State developed. 

 Let the people, then, give to the railroad interest every encouragement 

 and reasonable accommodation, both in land and money subsidy. This 

 has been done. Fifteen cents per mile per ton of freight, and ten cents 

 per mile fare, is simply a prohibition of freight and travel, and at the 

 same time, to the intelligent man who would willingly settle upon land 

 in the interior of the State, is a complete bar. No intelligent man will 

 put himself and the labor of his head and hands, and the wife and little 

 ones of his househclJ, in a position to be legally starved to death. No, 

 no! He must know what contingencies he must provide for before he 

 will thus settle. 



But it has been said that the company never exact those rates. Then, 

 if this be the fact, which I do not admit, Ave, as a people, are mere lick- 

 spittles for the great monopoly to allow this law to stand, a perpetual 

 and constant menace, to be used by them to intimidate the public, and 

 especially the farmers, forcing them to be very circumspect how they 

 express their opinions upon railroad matters. I think that the gentle- 

 men composing this great company oiight to be satisfied to receive and 

 own the millions that have been given them — and which we are willing 

 they should have — and not to ask the people to allow them to collect 

 revenues that will pay them interest on these vast gifts. They ought 

 not and should not be allowed so to do. 



I have no doubt that any community or place adapted to the growth 

 of sugar beets, that will offer a subsidy of two hundred thousand dollars 

 in bonds and lands, will find any number of competent gentlemen who 

 will give bonds to erect a manufactory, grow the beet, make the sugar, 

 sell it at reasonable price, pay their taxes, and not ask the people to 

 pay them interest on the two hundred thousand dollar subsidy. 



