Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-01-13
WORCESTER CITY AND COUNTY.

ricultural Societies in the State, inviting them
to send delegates to a Convention to be held at
Washburn Hall, in this city, on Wednesday,
Jan. p In pursuance of this request, a Con
vention was held at the time and place desig-
mated. The delegates were mostly in attend
ance at II o'clock, but in consequence of some
irregularity in portion of the notices, in
which, by mistake, 2 o'clock p NJ. was indi-
Gated as the hour of meeting, instead of IL A.
NJ, the Convention, after being called to order
by Mr.. Phineas Stedman of Chicopee, formed
only temporary organization. Hon. o. C.
FELTON,, of Brookfed, was chosen temporary
President, and James S. Grennen, Esq, of
Greenfield Secretary.
1t appeared that the following Societies were
represented, viz Franklin, Hampden, Hamp-
den East, Hampshire East, Hampshire, Hamp-
den, and Franklin, Worcester, Worcester
North, Worcester Southwest.
Some desultory conversation took place, in
reference to the subject of the call, when the
Convention adjourned to O'Clock p NJ.
AT the opening of the Convention in the af-
ternoon, the temporary officers were chosen
permanent officers of the Convention.
Mr.. Harris of Springfield offered the follow
ing resolution:
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Convention
an active and efficient State Agricultural Society,
open and accessible TO all is eXpedient and is cacu-
lated TO promote the best interests of agriculture
Mr.. Harris stated that, though the Hampden
Society had suggested this Convention, its
members had determined on no plan of carry
ing out its objects. 1t was not their purpose
to interfere with the old Society, but either to
form Society which should embrace all the
agricultural classes of the population, or to in
duce the Massachusetts, Society to amend its
charter and occupy the field themselves. At
present, there was no State Society worthy of
the name
Mr.. Salisbury, of Worcester, as a member
of the Massachusetts Society, made brief
reference to its history and the purposes it was
designed to promote. 1t was formed in 1892
and was the oldest society of the kind in the
Union, except one in Philadelphia. 1t was
started chiefly by the merchants of Boston,
md, for many years, was the only Agricultural
Society in Massachusetts. 1t has been active
II disseminating information and in importing
stock; but it never claimed to act as a State So
,iety. 1t might be well if the old Society would
iberalize and popularize itself; but he doubted
is right to change its plan of operations or to
smend its charter. Requests and donations
lad been made, from time to time, by persons
Who were well acquainted with its organization,
md who would not have made them if it had
)een contemplated to change the character of
the Society. He expressed no opposition to
State Society. The old Society did not stand
the way 1t had endeavored to be faithful
the line it had chosen.
Mr.. Eleazer Porter, of Hadley, said there
vas danger in multiplying societies of this
ind, and thought the purposes it was desired
} accomplish might be reached through the
gency of the State Board.
- Mr., Phineas Stedman, of Chicopee, said that
Society was emcivnt as that in which the
eople were directly interested.
Mr.. James S. Grennel of Greenfield, was
OF prepared to endorse the resolution till the
xigency for State Society was explained, as
lell as thework it intended to do After some !.
lrther desultory discussion, the question was
lken, an4 the resolution was adopted, with
'ut one dissenting voice.
Mr.. Stedman, of Chicopee, offered the fol-
wing resolution:
Resolved, That a Committee, consisting of one
ON each of the Incorporated gricultural Societies
the State be appointed, to confer with reference
the formation of State Agricultural, Horticul-
tral, and Mechanical Society, and if deemed best
a
II that purpose.
MIR. VIM. S. Lincoln in behalf of the dele
ates from the Worcester Society, stated that,
| the absence of any authority from the So
ety itself, they had been instructed by the
trustees not TO act in such a manner as to COM
lit the Society to tie proposed measures of
he Convention
The Committee of Conference contemplated
Mr. Stedman's resolution was then appoint
Il as follows
For the Berkshire Society-Justus Tower of
.aneshoro'.
Observation-Disclosures Bushnell of Sheffield.
Hampden-George Bliss of Springfield.
Hampton East-Sherman Converse.
Hampshire and Frankhn-T G. Hunting
on Of IIadley.
Franklin-Z. L. Raymond of Greenfield.
Hampshire East-N A. Smith Of Sunder-
md.
Worcester-IIon. A. H. Bullock of Worces-
er
Worcester West-Co White of Petersham.
Worcester South-S. f. Marsh of Stur-
ridge.
Worcester North-Col. Iyers Phillips of
fitchburg.
Middesex-John B. Moores of Concord.
Mlddlesex North-Wm. Buckmnster
Middlesex South-C. G.. Estey of Framing
lam
Norfolk-Luther Metcalf of Midway.
Plymouth-E. w. Wood of Bridgewater.
The Presidents of the societies unrepresent-
d were appointed to fill the vacancies in the
committee. 1t was voted that the committee
hould hold meeting at the State House, in
Boston, on Wednesday, the Goth of February
next, at two o'clock p NJ.
The Convention then adjourned sine die