Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-01
Maine State Agricultural Society.

The meeting Of the Maine State Agricultural
Society, adjourned from two weeks ago, was held
yesterday forenoon at II 80 o'clock at the State
House.
The meeting was called to order by Ruff.
Prince Of Turner, President of the Society. The
records Of the last meeting, as also those of the
meeting at Portland, were read by the Secretary
Samuel WATSON.
The committee to examine the records and as.
certain as to the legality of the meeting at Port
land last August made report through the chair
man, ID. Nj. Durham of Bangor, reporting that
they had performed their duty, and that so far as
the call for the meeting and the election of officers
were concerned, they find every thing fair, above
board, and, in their opinion, legal
Gen. Tilton thought that the committee had not
closely examined the records. There was certain
ly an Inconsistency in the members signing one
constitution and then electng officers under an
other constitution.
Mr.. North of Augusta, replied that they would
necessarily sign the old constitution even il i,
we're contemplated to amend or adopt a new one
Mr.. Is. F. Hamilton Of Bddeford said he did
not see how the new constitution could have been
adopted at Portland, last August, and the officers
required TO vacste their offices. lie regarded the
action at that time as nugatory, entirely uucon-
stitutional, and the new constitution of no bind
ing force whatever. lie believed in the society
aud had always abored for its success, hut thought
the little cqaes and rings In connection with it
ought to be broken up.
On motion of Mr. Marley of Augusta the re-
port OF the committee was laid on the table.
Mai. Richards of Gardiner did not see how the
election of officers could take place in August
when the constitution expressly provides that il
shall be held in January. He moved that tic
meeting now proceed TO the election of officers
His motion was subsequently temporarily with
drawn.
Mr. Holman of the Maine Farmer, thought we
ought TO know just what we are voting upon and
it would be well to have report from commit
tee that would give the subject careful attention.
Ii was claimed by Mr.. Msnley and others, that
the records did not show the adoption of the con-
stitution and Secretary WATSON explained
Remarks were further made by Messrs. Dun
ham, North, Sturgis, Tilton, and others.
In order to expedite business, Gen. Tilton offer
ed the following resolution:
Resoitsd, That the proceedings Of the August
meeting in Portland, in 1875, far as they relate
to the election of officers, be declared null and
void, upon the GROUND of their unconstitutonality,
the proper time for the election of officers being
at the annual meeting in January.
The resolve was allowed to lie on the table at
present
Mr.. G. b. Lakin said he confessed considerable
ignorance in regard to the societys legal proceed
ings. He had been elected Trustee at the
meeting which bad been referred to, as be sup
posed at the time, to fill a vacancy, and he was
willing to bear his part of the burdens in further
ance Of the objects of the Society; but the le-
galty of the proceedings were in doubt, he would
certainly be willing to withdraw from any official
relation.
There seemed to be considerable confusion in
regard 10 the position Of affairs, and motion of
Mr.. Hamilton, committee consisting of j. W.
North Gen. W. S. Tilton, and Samuel WATSON,
were appointed a committee 10 examine the Or
ganic act of the legislature Incorporating the So
ciety, the several constitutions and records, and
report at the evening meeting.
AdJOui ned to seven o'clock in the evening.
EVENING.
The Society met at the Railroad committee
room in the evening. The committee to examine
charter, constitution. &c, made the following re
port:
The committee appointed ITO examine the char
ter" Of the Maine State Agricultural Society, "and
its records since the adoption of the charter and
report whether the election of officers of the So
ciety August 81, 1876, is valid
Report, That they have attended to the duty
assigned them and having examined the act OF
March l, 1870, and the records of the society
from said date to the present time, find that
there has been no meeting Of the society called in
accordance with the provisions of the organic act
since its adoption.
The act, in Section 2, provides for the annual
election of officers at each annual meeting, to be
holden at the time aud place designated By III,
Trustees. The Trustees have never designated
the time and place of holding the annual meet.
ings.
The Bylaws in relation to the annual meet.
ings have not been in conformity to the organ
ic act, inasmuch as they have provided for hold
ing the meeting at a definite time and place