Norvell Farmers' Club

Norvell Farmers' Club.

The club was favored with a pleasant day for the meeting with John Green and wife at Mapleton, on the 29th.

After a pleasant social visit Pres. Halladay asked for attention and W. R. Mount offered prayer. The minutes were read and on motion L. D. Watkins and W, R. Monnt were elected delegates to the meeting of the state association of farmers' clubs, Dec. 13-15.

Mrs. B. R, Tracy read a selection, "The Visit to the Fair," and L. D. Watkins responded to the call for press clippings with the statement that the income of so-called free trade in England, from duties on imported goods is about $600,000,000 per year. He then spoke of the present as an age of trusts, trusts everywhere and with every product, except among farmers. Hence things we have to buy are growing higher, while the prices of what we have to sell are tending lower. To save themselves farmers must work together, hence our need of the clubs and the grange.

The subject of railroad taxation was then taken up. A. R. Palmer spoke of the present system and of the changes contemplated by the Atkinson bill.

L. D. Watkins spoke of the railroad argument, that they are public servants and if heavily taxed may be compelled to tear up their tracks and leave you to transport your own products to the distant markets.

T. B. Halladay thought this question of taxation the only issue in the present election. The railroads are probably not paying their full proportion of taxes, yet can hardly bear as high a rate of taxation as other property without raising their freight and passenger rates. Favors the Atkinson bill. Would tax all corporate bodies higher and more equally and free us from state tax.

L. D. Watkins said the railroads could pay the same tax as other property if assessed on their real valuation,. The trouble is they are capitalized at two or three times their real value and then made to pay interest upon this watered stock.

W, R. Mount does not favor local taxation because not equal, Sharon would not be benefited while Manchester and Norvell would be enriched. The state should tax, then all the property in the state would be benefited alike.

The electric lines are reducing passenger rates faster and more effectively than legislation could do it.

Mrs. Watkins spoke of voters. How few there are, even among intelligent people, who understand the issues of an election, and the objects for which they vote. The women could not do much worse if the right of suffrage was given to them.

J. Green thought a voter should hear both sides and then decide for himself how he will vote, not do as some party leader says.

The club will next meet with Mr, and Mrs. B, R. Tracy, on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 10 o'clock a, m. Select reading, Mrs. Mount: essay, Mrs. J Green; recitation, Mrs. R. D. Palmer; press clippings, A. R. Palmer. Discussion upon the work of the state association of farmers' clubs and on our corn fields, what shall be done with them after the corn is off?