farmers' state COiYGRESS. 38T 



The President's annual address was then delivered by President 

 Strange. (See annual address.) 



The address Avas referred to the following committee: Wilson Corey, 

 Anderson. Ind.; Ellis House, Bicknell, Ind., and I. N. Cotton. Indian- 

 apolis, Ind. 



Hon.' W. S. Blatchley then gave a most splendid and able address on 

 the subject. "The Utility of Convict Labor in Making Road Material." 

 (See papers.) 



This paper was fully discussed by W. S. Corey, D. F. Maish, S. L. 

 Wright, J. H. H. Lovett and Ellis House, all of whom heartily agreed 

 with Mr. Blatchley's views on the subject, and during the whole of the 

 discussion a manifest disposition was shown to ask something at the 

 hands of the next Legislature along the lines indicated by Mr. Blatch- 

 ley's paper. 



By unanimous consent the Committee on Resolution consisted of 

 five members, appointed by the President, as follows: 



Ellis House, I. M. Miller, C. C. Williams, S. L. Wright, Wilson Corey. 



All resolutions to be submitted by title only and referred to the com- 

 mittee without discussion. 



Hon. J. A. Mitchell, of Noblesville, then addressed the Congress fur- 

 ther on the broad subject of "Good Roads, Building and Maintaining." 

 (See papers.) 



The discussion of this subject was very general, and it was conceded 

 by all that it would be better for Congress to use more money to the 

 advancement of good roads and less on the smaller streams which are 

 of no practical value as waterways, even after the expenditure of large 

 amounts of money on them. It was held by Mr. Williams that a bureau 

 should be maintained for the purpose of extensively experimenting to 

 learn absolutely the best form of road, and when learned should be car- 

 ried out sj'stematically. 



Mr. Mitchell called attention to the lack of interest manifested by 

 farmers in regard to matters of legislation generally, and said that there 

 were many times when the honest representative would be more than 

 glad to have the opoprtunity for consultation with and the advice of the 

 progressive agriculturist. He said that the farmers could have a great 

 influence in the enactment of just and wholesome laws if they would get 

 together and properly present their views before the legislators. 



This subject was discussed by many others, including .T. G. Kings- 

 bury, of the Indiana Farmer, who said that the whole farm press was 

 always glad to give publication to the views of progressive farmers on 

 any subject pertaining to their needs or advancement. 



After some further remarks by President Strange concerning the good 

 of the Congress and its connection with the National organization, the 

 first day's session closed. 



