T905-] DISCUSSION. 253 



ing their right hand. Those opposed by the same sign. It 

 is a vote, and the resohition is passed. 



Now, in closing this debate I hope you will allow the chair- 

 man just one word, because he is a farmer by occupation and 

 interest, and has been for many years, and he has been intensely 

 interested all his life in this very subject. He has been to 

 various schools, and has been engaged in teaching schools. 

 ■Couldn't teach but little, because he did not know but little. 



Now, I want to ask you here this afternoon why it is that 

 you should debate this question? Why you are considering 

 this question here of having this matter of agriculture taught 

 in the public schools in this State, anyway? What is the use 

 of it ? What does it amount to ? What is the basis on which it 

 rests, the basic principle ? Let me tell you. If you will study 

 Mr. Wilson's last report I think he will tell you to your com- 

 plete satisfaction. When you read that report and find that all 

 the money in the banks, and all of the manufacturing indus- 

 tries in this country, do not begin to equal the agricultural inter- 

 ests of this country, I think you will then have some matter 

 before you which will give you a reason why we should, some- 

 how or other, reach the agricultural interests of this country, 

 and the agricultural people of this country, with the means of 

 education. It is a great industry that is well worthy of develop- 

 ment. And do you know that the perpetuity of this govern- 

 ment, the perpetuity of this nation, and through it the im- 

 provement and development of other nations of the world, 

 depends upon the success and prosperity of these very agricul- 

 tural principles which you are talking about today, this very 

 thing that we are speaking of, this very thing that we are 

 thinking of today? I do not care in what form you put it, 

 v/hether the truth has been told about it, or whether the criti- 

 cisms have been true to a greater or less extent. It is all right. 

 It all tends to give us a broader, general idea of this great and 

 important matter. But do not forget this, as has been said, that 

 man made the town and God made the country, \\nien vou 



