86 ANNUAL REPORT 



in the Republican ranks. I don't know that I heard what the objec- 

 tions were. Of course, if it is not really' lawful, or is unconstitu- 

 tional, why that is a matter which would bear investigating, and it 

 ought to be, perhaps, if it is so considered by those who have given 

 it attention; because we do not want, as a Society, to be placed on 

 record as assisting to enact a law, or being responsible for a law, 

 that really don't amount to anything. We want to be dignified, and 

 to be careful of what we do; but I am perfectly in sympathy with 

 the idea that we only want to do what is endorsed by the State Hor- 

 ticultural Society. Having asked the legislature to pass such a law, I 

 don't see how anyone is to know whether it is of any account or not 

 without making some inquiry; and if there are any of the gentlemen 

 present who have been taking notes of the operation of the law, I 

 should think for the matter of discussion, inasmuch as that is what 

 we are here for, now that the paper has been read that we ought to 

 know what the objections are, so I shall be able to vote and act 

 understandingly in the matter. 



Mr. Dartt. Mr. President, I feel opposed to taking any action on 

 this at the present time for the reason that the action will do no good; 

 we' cannot annul that law; it will stand whatever action we may take, 

 and inasmuch as we cannot change it I think it is better for us to say 

 nothing about it at present. One gentleman says we want to main- 

 tain the dignity of the Society. The question in whether we wont 

 maintain its dignity as much by keeping still as we will by showing 

 that we have changed our opinion since last winter, unless we have 

 changed it for some good reason. If there is any benefit in it as a 

 scarecrow let us have the benefit. But if there is not any benefit in 

 it and those who oppose it want to contest it, why they can do so just 

 as well as if we passed resolutions in regard to it; our action wont 

 make any difference. Let us leave the subject without any expression 

 on our part, merely on the ground that the time has not arrived for 

 us to give such expression of our views. If we take an expression 

 against the law, and say it isn't good for anything and we donH want 

 it, why then we would want to use all the moral power we have 

 against it; but I doubt whether that would not be like boys' play. 

 Now, I think the law has done some good probably, and that it has 

 proved not to be a serious hardship to the nurserymen of the State. Of 

 course they can't buy stock to sell again out of the State. So far as 

 these apple trees are concerned that my friend wants prohibited en- 

 tirely, I don't believe we want any law for that; I believe that the 

 people have made up their minds that there is not much use to 



