54 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



farmers' institutes. 



The holding of these Farmers' Institutes is another of the benefits that 

 you get from the State government, and it seems to me that the Legisla- 

 ture acted wisely in appropriating $5,000 each year for this purpose. This 

 sum has been spread over the State so that you have held sixty-eight 

 Institutes this year. Who can tell the amount of benefit, amuse- 

 ment, and entertainment derived from these series of Institutes? 



Farmers many times get the idea that legislation is against them. I 

 don't know but it is sometimes, but I want to make this statement: I 

 don't believe that there is one time in a thousand when there is legisla- 

 tion for one class that it does not react on the class that it is intended to 

 benefit. Ordinarily speaking, there is a feeling that the farmer has not 

 had a fair share in legislation. Yet, from time to time, you send good 

 men to the legislature, and these men desire your approval. If they 

 knew what would suit you — just what you wanted — don't you believe 

 they would be willing to do that thing? 



In this matter of legislation, we must look at both sides. For instance 

 they may say that they will reduce the rate of interest. Take it in the 

 past, what has been the result of that? Suppose you do lower the rate 

 of interest, no one can compel a man to loan his money to you; he insists 

 upon your paying an amount suflicient to repay him for his trouble. In 

 case there are any unusual provisions made in regard to the payment of 

 mortgages, what is the effect? The money lender asks you to pay that 

 mortgage or comply with his demands. Wherever anything of this kind 

 has been attempted it has been almost invariably with the same results. 

 Whenever you attempt to go outside and favor a class, it has reacted on 

 that class. All legislation should be for the "people," then there is no 

 particular trouble and justice is done to all. 



When you seek legislation, be sure you are right; be sure that some- 

 body is not going to get the best of it. As a general rule, when you ask 

 for laws that apply to all classes alike, with equal justice to all, the 

 farmers fare better than from any special legislation I have known of. 



I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your kind attention. 



