175 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



has a guardian appointed — called a coinmissioner, a committee also. The com- 

 missioner must see to bridges, tracks, cars, etc., and direct the rate of speed 

 if he thinks there is danger. He may stop the running of trains absolutely. 

 The railroads must have a flagman at street crossings to keep people from put- 

 ting themselves under the trains, and now must put up gates, as a watchman 

 can't hold the baby. Must check baggage. Must call names of stations. Must 

 whistle or ring bell at road crossings. Must have air brakes. Must not employ 

 men that drink. Must not put him o2 when refusing to pay fare, except at a 

 station or dwelling house. Must protect him against swindlers on cars. Must 

 put up boards at road crossings, advising the passing traveler, that a railroad 

 is in the neighborhood, and give minute directions to have the letters large 

 enough. Must fence the farms, even when we pay full value for the lands, not 

 half fence, but all of it. Must have badges on train men. The kind of oil 

 for lights is specified. If a passenger loses his baggage he is allowed to testify 

 in his own behalf, and his testimony is by law declared to be receivable as if 

 he was not interested. The railroads must cut weeds. Must have an ax and 

 a saw in every coach, and lifting jacks. Every session of the Legislature has 

 something new. The average railroad bill is an attempt at confiscation. It is 

 dangerous to confiscate property. It is only a form of socialism, and in time 

 Avill act upon farm products. The price was once fixed in Rome on bread and 

 wheat, and it may be again, and I think some here to-night will see it. Social- 

 ism is a dangerous thing. 



HOW WE FARMERS ARE SOLVING THE GREAT TRANSPORTA- 

 TION QUESTION. 



BY E, A. BUKLINGAME. 

 [Read at Grand Rapids Institute.] 



In all first-class agricultural periodicals, and in many not purely agricult- 

 ural, the services of persons learned in the law are employed to discuss for the 

 benefit of the farmers, their legal rights and liabilities. So, in all the more 

 respectable farm clubs, associations, and alliances, the services of some eminent 

 attorney is secured to present the law in all its bearings as it relates to agri- 

 culture, as well as to interpret its intricate technicalities, to the end that both 

 the press and the association shall confer upon the farmer the greatest pos- 

 sible good at the least possible expense. As an instance I mention the West 

 Michigan Farmers' Club, whose ofdce is adjacent to this hall. Their doors 

 are open to all, whether directly or remotely interested in agriculture. And 

 all the benefits of that club are conferred without money and without price. 



To discourse upon the law appertaining to the farm, the farmer, and the 

 farmer's wife, that club has secured the services of Judge Parrish, of this city, 

 than whom there is not a more clear, concise, and learned lawyer, or a more 

 prompt, practical, and profound judge upon the bench of Michigan. Besides 

 these advantages that club publishes an official organ. The Agricultural 

 World, in which all the varied and interesting farm news, club discussions 

 and lectures upon the law are published, and furnished to farmers at 35 cents 

 per year. With such special advantages in his favor, besides the general 



