Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-03-03

| oiiS quill VI %A.cOOs
WHAT THE RESULT WILL BE.
With the adoption of these recommends
oions, anG an earnest, hearty co-operatlo
ON the part of the farmers and mechanics
and their wives and daughter, OF August
tounty and those counties surroundln
that have so generously patronlzed us
your committee feel assured the receipt
will be brought back to their Origina
amount and the expenditures may be mad
comparatively small, thus enabling us t
pay off our most pressing liabilities an
| show other creditors our intention and de
sire to pay all-thus perpetuating an insti
| tuition that already has done so much t.
improve our section Of the great Vale
and been the source of so much heart
pleasure and just pride to so many of it
| citizens. CHARLES GRATTAN,
SAM'L A. EAST,
E. M. CUSHING,
A. A. SPROUL.
Mr.. Grattan explained that Mr.. W. II
Peyton, would have signed the report, bu
for his being absent.
THE FEELING AMONG THE CORPORATORS
/ DR.. Samuel Kennerly said that it wa,
desirable to have some showing of wha
had been done with the funds of the socie
ty, and he thought a desire for that infor-
nation was characteristic of the former
meeting at the fair grounds. The desire
among the corporators was for report ex-
honerating those who had control of them
or duplicating those who had squandered
them. While the corporators might not
be able to get legal redress, yet they could
visit on the guilty ones the weight of their
disapproval.
MI. b. M. Gushing said that the COM
mittee had done all that it was within
their reach to do. They had not been able
to find any record of the proceedings of
former Boards of Directors.
Mr.. Ephraim Geeding favored the idea
of giving the matter into the hands of a
commissioner as proposed by the commit
MI. VIM. A. Burke said in reply to DR..
Kennerly's remarks, there was no ques-.
ton about the society having been mis-
managed, as were all concerns who only
rested on public interest taken in them
by the managers who received no compen-
sation for their services, but \as to the
money matters, he had no idea that there
had been anything wrong about Them
Not dollar could be spent except upon
the check of the Secretary, Mr.. VIM. A.
Pratt, countersigned by the late John B.
Baldwin, the President. AS for himself.
(Mr. Burke} while he had been Secretary
he had taken and preserved vouchers for
every dollart that passed through his hands.
DR.. Kennerley said he had no reference
to Mr.. Burke, but to the former Secretary.
Mr.. Burke-I know that, I was speak
ing only as member of the Executive
Committee.
Mr.. Grattan said it was very true, as
DR. Kennerly had remarked, that there
was general desire among the corpora
tors to know how the money had been ex-
pended, and feeling that there had been
a loose, wild policy regarding it. AS for
himself he believed that the money had
been honestly spent, but injudiciously
spent. He did not see, except to crafty
the curiosity Of the corporators what good
the information sought, would do them.
1t would cost something in the way of
clerical hire to get it. If they could stand
it very good but if they were willing to
let bygones be bygones and start afresh, he
thought it would be the best plan. If, how
ever, they were willing to stand the cost
they could adopt that portion of the Com
mittees report putting the matter in the
hands of a commissioner which looked to
obtaining that information. With regard
to the assets Of the Society, Mr.. Grattan
said many Of the claims had offsets which
would be found on attempting to collect
them. The commissioners report would
put all that in a proper light, as he would
advertise for parties having offsets, such
as unpaid premiums and the like to come
forward and prove them.
Mr.. E. M. Gushing thought the commits
sioner was a good idea. 1t was impossible
for the Treasurer of the Society, who was
bank officer, to give. sufficient time from
his duties to attend to all these small ac-
counts. The talk Of d Society which owes
only $4,000 and owns such property as it
does being bankrupt was nonsense, and no
man present in that financial condition
would consent to be called d bankrupt. -
He was very tired of the reporting of such
assets as were reported here, some of which,
which were claims against irresponsible
parties and utterly worthless. He wan
ted these assets siftcd and only the availa-
BILE ones reported. Then, when the Society
sees exactly where it stands let it borrow
money on its property to pay off all it's
debts, press it's good assets to collection
ard there would be no further trouble.
Mr.. ?. A. Baylor said that as an attor-
ney he had several claims in his bands
against the Society which he would prefer
presenting to a commissioner to bringing
suit.
Mr.. A. G. Christian favored the appoint
ment of a commissioner.
The recommendation of the Committee
fol the employment of a Commissioner,
was then adopted.
THE FREE ADM SSIONS.
The proposition for surrendering the gate
privileges by the corporators was next ia.
ken up and DR.. Kennerley moved to re.
quire corporators to pay for admission.
Several voices-You can't do that. AID.
mission for themselves and families is
guaranteed them.
Dr.. Kennerley withdrew his motion.
MI. Geeding said he felt assured that il
the corporators were approached personally
and explained to, that something must be
done to save the society from disgrace, they
would consent. Otherwise he did moi
Think they would appreciate the situation
SO well through circular letter.
Mr.. Jno. Towberman suggested a com
mittee of five to approach the corporators
personally.
Mr.. Gushing favored both committee an6