North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-05-01
Agricultural sOciety..Annual Meeting.

Agricultural society--Annual Meeting.
NATIONAL, Iowa, April %, 1867.
EDS. TINES A few words from one of
the old friends and founders of our society
may find favor among the members at
this time, and be Of use to them by way of
stirring up in their pure minds things new
and old that pertain to the usefulness and
welfare of our County Agricultural Society
Heretofore very few members have attend
ed the annual meetings, or taken an active
part in doing anything to shape the course
of the Society consequently few work
ers have had to do about all that has been
done, and believe have done what they
thought best for the interest of the Society.
But all are liable to err none have done
so we'll but they can see room for improve
ment let any who doubt this try for once
and see. 1t is easier to find fault with
what is done by others, than it is to do just
what is for the best, and to please every
body. So far as | can judge, the officers
and workers in and for our Society share
too much the fate of the man in the fable,
who tried to please everybody and pleased
nobody, and lost his mule in the bargain |
1t should be known by the members that
all have equal rights, votes and power at
the annual meetings, and that the members
can do anything they choose concerning
the Society and its affairs at the annual
meetings. They, by two-third vote, have
supreme and complete power in the prem
Uses, even to selling the property and end
ing the thing altogether by distribution,
among the members, of the proceeds Of such
sale much more can they direct the off,
GERS and board as to what shall be done,
and what shall not. This being the case,
let oil come that can to our next meeting
and give their counsel, influence and votes,
so as to prevent wrong and prosper the
right. If they will not, whose fault is it
if things are not done as they should be :?
am disposed to find some fault with our
last exhibition: not for the purpose of
blaming any one, or doubling their motives
in the least, but for the purpose of calling
attention to some things, in hope that good
may result in the future. In the first place,
the objects Of the Society should never be
lost sight of in schemes to draw crowd"
and get their money. think "all devices
foreign to the objects of the society," should
be prohibited. Such as political speaking
at the Fairs, gambling tables, jewelry ped
dlers and swindlers, auction sales of goods,
horse racing, fighting, and rowdyism should
never be allowed again, Ion or near the
fair grounds. These things only work
evil. We had better have few dollars
less than to make our Society an engine
to debauch and demoralize mankind.
There is too much of the spirit of spec
ulation and gambling already in our coun-
ty. Even some churches and benevolent
societies are encouraging these things by
"Church Fairs" "Gift Enterprises" Soon
certs," &c. Thus diverting the minds of
men from the sublime truths and true be-
nevolence of the Gospel, down to level
with the fashionable follies of the age
stealing the livery of heaven to serve the
devil in. Let our Society avoid useless cx-
penditures, and use all diligence to make
the exhibitions full. excellent and worth
seeing, and there will be no lack of visitors,
nor Of needful funds. There is great dam
ger that exhibitors will not be sufficiently
encouraged, and that the crowds Of people
who come to the fairs will find nothing bat
folks ard fns+ -ha-s.--t- ---.1Sr.-~.---" -
take peoples money at the gate, common
honesty requires that we should give them
1 IL, r. H.. IL IL