PROCEEDINGS. 95 



Mr. Lockhart moved the adoption of the resolution. 



Mr. Jolmson moved to amend by erasing the words " we 

 demand through our Congressmen a proper retaliation," and 

 substituting therefor " we ask our Congressmen to adopt such 

 measures as will tend to remove such restriction." 



J-'resident Mitchell — We can retaliate, but not say retaliate. 

 We can exclude their goods as they do ours. If they exclude 

 our meats, let us prohibit their imports on the same ground 

 that they meet us. However, if the resolution is just as you 

 want it, it is before you. 



Mr. Robe — It seems to me that there has been soft words 

 enough said already, and we might say just what we mean. I 

 am in favor of the resolution. 



The amendment was adopted, and the resolution as amended 

 was then adopted. 



Mr. Ratliti:" oftered the following : 



Wherea?, The Indiana State Board of Agriculture is laboring under financial 

 embarrassment, owing to its bonded indebtedness; therefore, 



Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by the President to lay the 

 matter before the General Assembly, by memorial and otherwise, to the end that re- 

 lief may be afiordtd and the debt liquidated. 



Mr. Ratliff- — I think when we present these facts to the Leg- 

 islature they will have some value. We have an assessment on 

 nine hundred and seventy millions of dollars, and perhaps two- 

 thirds of the personal property is that of the agricultural pop- 

 ulation oi' the State. These are not official iig'ures, but it is 

 near that. Forty thousand dollars will liquidate this debt, and 

 if that amount can be raised we had better not let it stand. It 

 is the duty of the Legislature, as it represents the farming in- 

 terests, and perhaps four-fifths of the wealth of our State. I 

 think if this is set properly, before the Legislature we will get 

 the money. This appropriation we are asking for now is to 

 pay interest on the debt. We failed to get this a few years 

 ago, and we have been paying the interest out of profits. This 

 help asked for is to wipe out the debt so we can run it our- 

 selves. If this debt was removed I see nothing in the way for 

 a successful continuation. 



