The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-11-01
State Agricultural Society.


Inc Society met in the African Church, last
nsn', pafsaan. 70 adjournment, President Cooke
Ihe President stated the business I'm o,t.~ !. =,
the revision of the Constitution" which ,vas I.;S
on the table last night. Wa - assa a
The report was then called for and read nv
Lewis T. Harvie, Esq
AT the conclusion of the report, reaiinw of IN.
Oh constitution was called for by DR. worshsm ~
D'nwiddIe, who thought the farmers Of yireinia
nau ou, n1le use for constitutions to govern then
~. w Bassett of Hanover favored the new
eonstituton, for its representative features
TN ar. John Page, of Hanover, moved the inde6.
ni.e 1dp reinforcement 1 Of the whole question.
Col Thomas NJ. Bondurant Of Rncn;r.h.,. A.
hoped the subject would not be postponed II =.
Impossible for the Society to transact business in
mass meeting; for if a count were now called for
ON any question, it would be impossible to take n
MI Charles Q. Lee hoped the Society wonld ba.r
the reasons for their report before taking the
plain ~ "a
Hon VIM. B. Preston then took the stand and
explained the reasons for the changes in thu con.
stitufion, as reported by the committee Tho 90.
eiety was now composed of 10000 members
Dody too unwieldly to transact business-and
was necessary to select representatives
10 take charge of the munutia of the Society TO
eject ofcers and care for the fluids of the Society
Mr r. then entered into the merits of the proposed
ehange, and argued to prove that the Society was
designed to advance agricultural pursuits only
and not to discuss constitutional questions Hc
then pointei out the difficulties, that might ho
thrown In the way of the transaction of any busi-
ness, II members were disposed to be factious and
concluded with the declaration that a represeYta
tive government was the only free government
known to man. ...-- -..r, = - -
Mr.. James Lyons was opposed to tho new con.
stltution, because, by adopting it, tho farmers
were delegating their rights to an oligarchy. He
believed the farmers competent to manage their
own business without the aid of guardians Ho
Dehefed second assemblage would never take
place II the reported constitution were adopted
Mr.. John Page advocated, with warmth the In.
definite postponement of the report of the commit
tee and urged upon the Society the Importance Of
perfecting the old constitution. - y
MT Branch, OF Petersburg, was opposed to tha
new constitution, believing it utterly impracticable
in its results. If, however the Society should de-!
eide otherwise, he would cheerfully acquiesce In
whatever was done
Mr. Bassett, of Hanover, favored the new consti-
tuition, believing that the farming interest demand
ed the change suggested
The question was then taken on the indefinite
and lost -...-ss.. 4ss-t 80.
The question was then taken on the new const
tuition, as reported by tho committee, and adopted
The new Constitution provides for Farmers
Assembly, to be elected by the members through.
out the State to whom the power is delegated of
selecting a President, eight Vice-Presidents, and
ten others, to constitute the Executive Committee
and a Secretary and Treasurer-thereby relieving
the Society of the onerons duty of electing its
officers. .a l4ar,
meeting adjourned, we can do no more than pub
lish this morning the sixth section, which defines
the powers and duties of the Farmers Assembly,
as follows: 'r.t
l. The Farmers Assembly shall hold its first
meeting on the first day of the next annual fair, at
a time and place to be designated by public notice.
by the President of the Society," and thereafter an
nually at such time and place as they may them
selves fix. 1s- :. .-.s -....,
2. A majority of their whole number shall be a
quorum for business.
3. They shall elect their own Speaker and other
officers prescribe all needful rules and regulations
for the transaction of business, and decide all con-
tested elections.
4. They shall also have power to fix the time and
place of holding the annual fairs.
5. They shall also annually elect, by separate
votes, President of the Society," eight Vice Presi-
dents and ten other persons, Constituting the Exc
cutvc Committee,) to go into Office on the ensuing
LIST January after their election and continue there
in one year. and until their successors be appointed
and not more than two Of whom shall be residents
OF any one county, town or city of the State
o. They shall, in like manner, elect also Secre-
fary and Treasurer of the Society," to serve for ono
year, and until his successor be elected-unless re.
moved IN the mode hereinafter pointed out-and
shall fix his salary.
7. They shall also have power to elect honorary
members of this society, but no person shall re-
ceive that distinction except for eminent services
rendered to agriculture s--
3. All necessary expenses of the Farmers' As.
sembly shall be certified by the Speaker thereof to
the Executive Committee, who shall pay the same
In the form prescribed for other disbursements
2. All powers now possessed by the Society at
large and not consistent with the other provisions
Of this Constitution, hereby transferred to the
Farmers Assembly, but, except such are electo-
ral SHALL in default ofbeing exercised by that body,
devolve, professionally on the Executive Commit ee
Mr. B. +. Minor, from the special committee, pre-
sented report ON the subject of endowing Pro-
on Agriculture, which was read and laid
on the table, to be taken up tonight.
A was m at no In nj ha
limited to ten minutes to each speaker, which was
laid on the table for the present.
The Society then adjourned to meet this evening
at half past o'clock
IN STORE AND FOR SALE AT VERY
i LOW PRICES