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

: though the crowd on the ground was large
while they themselves were robbing tn
: society. These statements were not mad
at haphazard, for the speaker, who ,ha
himself kept the gate, had preserved tn
written evidence in their own hand-writ
ing of the frauds, and could show then
to-day.
, The report of the committee requiring
descriptive list of the families of corpora
, tors when applying for admission, wa
adopted.
Staying THE DEAD-HEADS.
Inquiry was made as to who got fret
tickets to the fair.
Mr.. Burke said that such tickets were
sent to the officers of other societies, the
press of the State and the ministers of the
county.
A resolution offered by Mr.. A. d. Wren
was adopted prohibiting the issue Of any
free tickets wha tever.
THE PREMIUMS.
The recommendation to ask the corpora.
tors to whom premiums are due to give
them up, was adopted, as were all the other
recommendations Of the committee.
| THE LATE SECRETARY.
Col. A. W. Harman-I desire to make a
statement am no friend of Mr.. W. A.
Pratt, the late secretary Of the society. He
was kept in position against my wishes, and
against my vote, but wish to say now,
as far as his accounts with this society are
concerned, that ne is perfectly honest
man-as honest as any man that lives. He
never gave a check for a dollar that it
wasn't countersigned by Col. Baldwin. the
president, and never spent a dollar of the
secretary's money without his approval.
| Mr.. Cushing-The committee never in
tended in their report to reflect in any way
on the integrity of Mr.. Pratt. 50
NO NEW DEBTS.
Hon. Absolom Koiner said he was
anxious that there should be some under
standing that no new debts should be con-
| tracted, which might get the society under
water in it's affairs, and he would offer the
| following resolutions:
Resolued, That in the judgment of the
corporators it is inexpedient for the Board
of Directors to embark in any new i'm
provements and expenditures which are
not absolutely necessary to keep the prop
erty of the fair in good condition, until
the debts of the corporation are fully paid.
He thought the adoption of such reso-
luton would be a wise precaution; we all
know how likely it is when there is an in
creasing brightness in the affairs of a cor
poration, that the temptation to increase
the expenditures will be yielded to. The
resolution was adopted,
THE RENDERED RESIGNATION OF THE
DIRECTORS.
Mr.. John Towberman said that two
months ago he had rendered to the corpo-.
| rators meeting his resignation as direc-
| tor which had not been accepted, and he
rendered it again now.
The Chairman-This meeting has no
powet to accept it.
Col. Hartman said he had also announced
his intention to resign as had Mr.. Burke
and some one else, but he found he should
have to wait for the annual meeting.
Mr.. Towberman-This meeting has the
power.
voices-Oh. no! You'll have to wait for
the annual
Mr. Burke-It is the right of the corpo-
rators at any time they may be called on,
to elect to fill vacancies. This meeting,
which is the largest recollect having seen,
can do it.
| Mr. Christian-Receive all their resig-
nations and re-elect them. (Laughter.)
| Mr.. Cushing-I am perfectly satisfied
with this Board. 1t would be unfair and
| unkind for them to resign just as they are
most needed. It looks like deserving a
sinking ship.
Mr.. Burke suggested that probably the
present Board of Directors would not be
controlled by the recommendations of this
meeting.
Col Harman-I am, as far as anu con-
cerned. determined to carry out the recon-
dations of this meeting as far as they meet
my views, and when they go beyond that
I will have to do my own way.
DR.. Kennerly, Qaughing)-Then we will
have to turn you out.
Col. Harman-That's all right.
MI Grattan read the Constitution of the
| Society which provide that Directors can
be elected by the Corporators only at the
annual fairs.
Mr.. Koiner said the action of this meet
ing was only taken in response to the Sug-
gestions Of the Directors, and was inten-
ded to be Of an advisory character, and as
such should, if it was good be followed, but
not followed if it was not to the advantage
| of the Society. It is no reflection on the
Directors.
| Col. Harman--Y GU did not think Imeant
| to resign.
Mr.. Koiner-No, but Mr.. Towberman
and others seemed to want to give it up.
DIVIDED BOARD.
| Mr.. Burke-I didn't think it was meant
as a reflection on the Directors. But the
present is not a harmonious Board, and
has not been for years, and think that is
Mr.. Towberman's idea for resigning. The
Board is not likely to be harmonious.
Col. Harman-I agree with MI. Burke
| that the Board is not harmonious. What
we all want is that the corporators should
have the opportunity of electing one, of one
way Of thinking.
President A. M. Bowman said that it
would be almost impossible to get Board
Of ten men all thinking alike. He thought
this. was no time for directors to resign.
He was willing to carry out the views of
the corporators as far as he thought them
to the interest Of the corporators them
selves. Mr.. Bowman made strong appeal
for the society.
On motion of Mr.. A. G.. Christian, the
committee making the report were ap-
nointed committee to bring the subject