432 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



just, that we may have the conscientious support of the fair-minded and, 

 better far, the approval and support of an Overruling Providence. 



The morning session on Wednesday was given up to twenty minute 

 talks by the heads of the various State institutions, Pres. Angell of the 

 University, Dr. Boone of the Normal, President Snyder of M. A. C, Supt. 

 Church of the School for the Blind and Supt. St. John of the Industrial 

 School taking part. 



Wednesday afternoon was given up to the election of ofScers and the 

 hearing of and acting upon the reports of the various committees. Officers 

 were elected as follows: President, L. D. Watkins, Manchester; Vice- 

 President;, Mrs. D. M. Garner, Davisburg; Secretary, A. B. Cook, Owosso; 

 Directors, C. S. Johnson, Vassar; Myron Crafts, Jackson. 



The following resolutions were adopted: 



DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES. 



LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS— STATE. 



"Believing in the principle of local conti'ol of local affairs as ennuciated in a bill 

 introduced in the last legislature, known as the Kimmis county Salaries bill, 



"Resolved, That we reaffirm our declaration that all couHty officials be paid in full 

 for their respective services by stated salaries fixed by the respective boards of 

 supervisors, and that it be made a crimiual offense for such ofBcials to receive any 

 fees or other perquisites in addition to their salaries. Further, that the fees col- 

 lected in the county ofHces be readjusted on an equitable basis, and hereafter all 

 such fees be turned into the county treasury and become part of the general fund. 



"We indorse the principle of equal taxation as laid down iu Tvhat is known as 

 the Atkinson bill, and would also recommend the repeal of all special charters of 

 corporations and the placing of their property under the general tax laws of the 

 State." 



STATE AFFAIRS. 



The Committee on State Affiairs submitted the following, which were adopted: 



"We recommend the continuance of the present system of contract labor in the 

 penal and reformatory institutions of the State as the fairest and most effective 

 yet proposed or tested. 



"We indorse the present law for the taxation of mortgages, but consider its pro- 

 visions as falling short of accomplishing what the law was designed to do. We 

 would recommend that the legislature be requested to make such changes as are 

 necessary to make it thoroughly effective. 



"We recommend that what is knoAvn as the Torrens system for the regrstration 

 of transfer of real estate be adopted in this State as a sure means of putting an end 

 to litigation, and establishing the titles to real estate on a sound and stable founda- 

 tion. 



"We recommend the passage of a law allowing appeals from justice courts only 

 where the judgments are for a sum of $150 or over. We believe that the adoption 

 of such a measure would tend to cut down the work of our circuit courts very ma- 

 terially, and effect a great saving to taxpayers. 



"We indorse the State Agricultural College, and recommend such aid as will tend 

 to render it more efficient in its several departments. We would, therefore, call 

 attention to the absolute necessity for the addition to its equipment of a woman's 

 building, in order that this department may have such accommodations as are de- 

 manded by its importance, in order that the young women of the State may enjoy 

 such privileges as are extended to young men." 



NATIONAL AFFAIRS. 



"We commend the action of the Secretary of Agriculture in placing our products 

 in foreign markets, believing that this expansion of trade inures to the benefit of the 

 farmer as well as the whole people. 



