Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-01-02
For the VERMONT FARMER.
THE STATE SOCIETY AGAIN.

1 was somewhat surprised that one con-
versant with the workings of the Vermont
State Agricultural Society as "Old Blood"
in the VERMONT FARMER Of Dec. 5 appears
to be; should justify the officers in their
management.
Il is generally supposed That successful
exhibitor receives by way of awards either
in cash or as an advertising medium, sufh-
cient to compensate for much trouble, And
l think the officers of the State society have
been exhibitors to quite an extent.
"Old Blood" certainly carries false inn
preston in his remark relative to the an-
nual meeting year ago. 1t has been the
practice with the State, as with most other
agricultural societies TO hold the annual
meeting at the commencement Of the year,
and to give notice in some Of the local pa
pers. Now, if "Old Blood will name the
paper in which notice was given Of tho
meeting in question, he will crafty many
members who failed to see it, and who do
not believe any was given. The first knowl-
edge had of the meeting was some days
after, by one of the said officers. question
ed him in regard to tho notice, and for an
swer he said " Some of us happened to be
here, (Montpeierl and thought it good time
to make up list Of officers"
Learning of the meeting lately held at
Burlington an attempt was made in Wash
lngton county to send delegates to particle
pate in the business of the meeting, but it
was considered useless because the ring be-
log at home could rally strength enough to
carry every thing in their own interest L
say ring because it is generally understood
that the society is run by ring, and has
been for several years. In proof of which
(by way of specification which "Old Blood
calls for) one of the officers was approached
at the late fair in regard to the inequality
of certain classes of premiums offered. The
answer was These fellows over here man
| age that to suit themselves.
Any observant person attending the late
fair at Rutland, especially if an exhibitor OF
one Of the judges in certain classes, could
not fail to see that the machine was run to q
certain extent by a ring,-and my opinion
is that the influence Of the ring will become
more oppressive as time passes When the
chairman Of a committee, after using every
available means to carry his associates Il
award for a decidedly inferior animal, de-
clares that ave must de something for Mr.
So-and-so, because he is prominent man,
or when the judges depart from the instruc'
tions of the society given them as to point
Of excellence, and also disregard their Owl
rules adopted as a test to bring out thos,
points of excellence, for the purpose Of tettin.
in some friend or some favorite animal,
think there is ring, or, (what is worse,
money in it.
There are to me many other signs OF cor
ruption or improper management in the al
fairs of the State Society. l do not preten'
that the officers will claim to countenanc
such practices, or that the society is not con
Quoted as fairly as others. Jockeyism an
fraud are prominent features at all our fairs
so much so that honest exhibitors of mer
itorious articles threaten to withdraw frou
, competition. One OF THEN
Montpelier Dec. Is, 1878.
: 1t is far from being our intention +
make the FARMER vehicle for any unfai
! attacks upon the State Society. We Onl
desire to call attention to evils which, if nc
arrested, will destroy its usefulness. Con
sequently we have refrained from printin
much that has come to us in the way Of con
0 plant, and have, indeed, limited ourself
such communications, like the above, as COT
firm our own allegations and rcIutc the couT
ter statements which they have elicited. la
the Society reform these errors, as we b
lieye it will, and it shall not lack heart
G support from us-ED. FARMER.