Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-19
We,,eru Manufacturers, Convention.

A Convention of Western Manufacturers as
sembIed in Cincinnati on the 18th inst. David
G. Rapp, of Indiana, was appointed Chairman,
and VIM De Witt, of Cleveland, Secretary. The
object of the Convention was stated by Mr..
Hedges, of Cincinnati The first step was taken
at Sandusky, the result of a discussion at the
State Fair. Holding fairs so late in the season
was injurious to the interests of manufacturers
of farming machinery, as the machinery used
in the harvest season is exhibited afterwards in
the late fall Fairs Mr.. a. thought that if me-
chanical exhibitions were held in the early part
of the season, it would result in benefit to
both farmer and manufacturer. He also thought
change in the present mode of awarding pre-
miums desirable.
Messrs. Hedges, Dennis and Lenner were ap-
pointed Committee to prepare business for the
Convention.
In the afternoon, the business committee re-
ported in favor of the organization Of a Me
chanics' and Manufacturers Association; the
appointment of an Executive Committee of
three from each State Immediately interested,
who shall receive propositions from State or
County organizations, and settle the terms as TO
time, place and conditions for holding exhibi-
tions; and inviting any organization friendly to
the objects of the Association to cooperate with
it. After considerable discussion, the PROPOSE
ton in favor of forming an Association was
adopted, and the second recommendation of the
Committee was withdrawn. 1t was decided to
adopt the name of " The Western Mechanical
Association" The following officers were
chosen:
Prssident-MiIes Greenwood Cincinnati;
Vice PreSident-David G. Rabb, Ohio coun-
ty, Ia; .
Recording Seeretayy-Arthur Peter Louis
vile;
Corresponding Secretary-G. ". L. Buckley,
Cincinnati;
Treasurer-Charles Todd, of St. Louis.
On motion of Mr.. Harris, of the Ohio Cul-
tivator, the following resolution was adopted:
Resolred, That the Boards of Management
of the several Agricultural Societies within the
region represented by this Society, be requested
by the Corresponding Secretary to adopt such
a scale of premiums, based upon ample trials
and Investigations, as shall do sufficient JUS
tice and afford proper encouragement to the
mechanical department usually exhibited there
in.
Messrs. Isaac A. Hedges of Cincinnati, W De-
Witt of Cleveland, Col Harris of Columbus, A
G. Mum of Louisville, L. E. Vinton of Indian
apolis, and H. D. Emory of Chicago, were ap-
pointed a Committee to prepare, in connection
with the Corresponding Secretary, memorial
to the State Boards, setting forth the grievan-
ces of the mechanics, and the purposes of the
Association. Convention adjourned.
The Commercial speaks of the Convention as
a failure, and the Gazette says:
The mechanics have a good object in view,
but they have worked clumsily to attain it. The
Convention yesterday had not over twenty per-
sons in attendance, and formed an Association,
for which they elected officers but failed to give
it constitution OF bylaws
Such an incohate concern can hardly be
called an Association, and will not have much
weight, or he able to effect anything, unless the
7fiic rs, under the energetic lead of Miles Green
wood, make the Association to be themselves.