The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-02-12

Total expenditures. .............. $2S2S w
We have paid on old debts and permanent i'm.
provements, and repairs, $754.S6, although the
committee cut it down . great deal. Oar pre-
MUM list was more nearly exhausted than ssusl,
nearly every premium offered by the society be.
ing drawn and paid. and amounting, after s. de-
Quoting amount paid 10 Weston, to *1,Ool.oO,
while two years ago the entire expenses OF the
fair were only $1,000.
Respectfully submitted,
+. G.. LEWIS, Secretary.
The Treasurer reported the indebtness of the
Society to be S1,04S.12. .,...
Mr.. Armstrong moved committee OF three
be appointed to examine and report upon the
Treasurers accounts Adopted, and Iessrs. ].
w. Armstrong, Josiah Shaver and Henry Green
appointed such committee. .,...
MIR. s. r. Lewis explained the nature Of the
debt upon the society. He said certain mem.
bsrs, including himself, had borrowed money to
erect the Floral Hall, and had secured the same,
$1,000, by giving their individual notes therefor.
He desired to know whether tho society wished
these three men to pay this note, or what ar.
rangement would be made? Would they mort
gage the property? Mr.. Armstrong, one Of the
signers of the note, said he felt no uneasiness
about it, but it was not q correct mode Of doing
business. It was . debt Of the society, but nov
only an individual responsibility. He would
test the question by moving that the officers Of
tho society be instructed to mortgage the proper
ty to secure the debt, and release the signsrs Of
the note. The motion prevailed.
Nh. Jeremiah Wood desired to know who did
that voting? How many are spectators, and
how many are stockholders
Armstrong thought this as good time a. any
to test the voting question, and moved that here
after whoever pays 81 admission fee to any fair,
shall be thereby member, and entitled to vote.
In support of his motion, he said hs wanted to
dispense with the three hundred dead heads Of
our society He would no longer exempt stock.
holders. They can we'll afford to pay, and can
far better give literally than many who con.
tribute their two or three dollars each year. We
must have no preferences-no exclusiveness or
signs Of any.
Mr.. William Thomas said the society 10 in
debt. Three hundred individuals once came TO
its rescue. They came forward ut time of sore
need and help to US. We cannot in Justice dis.
regard their claims and rights. It had been said
there are many present who wish to become
members. He would welcome them; lot them
come forward with their $40, as he and others
had done, and when the debt is paid We can
throw open our doors to all for 81 per year.
Mr.. Hosford favored watering tho stock" on
the Erie railroad plsn. ~ e ~. l'L l.....
Armstrong again gave bis attention 10 the
dead head arrangement" Each Of these dead
heads has from three to seventeen children. All
come in free. Let US stop this or We shall run
our fair into the ground. ~
The constitution being read, Mr.. Armstrong;
motion was found inadmissable, inasmuoh a. all
changes in the constitution must DO submitted
to meeting previous to the vste on such change.
Notice was then given that such change will DO
moved at the next meeting.
Thomas moved to make membership $40 per
! year.
Wood SAID there IRE Is certificates out some
where, "around loose" unsold, or unsccounted
for to the society. Secretary Lewis said that
many certificates arc out in the hands of men
who never paid for them. These men get pre-.
miums and enter their stock free. Wood said,
ut the Secretary had done his duty, such things
could not have happened. The Secretary aakod
how he could reinso to receive . certificate
which tho presenter claimed his own, and while
everything upon ito faoe was REGULAR
Thomas said those certificates are gsod - leag
- not forgsries or Transferred contrary 10 1uls
and We must recognise them