The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-11-29

Col. E. III. Webster then offered resolu.
ton authorizing the Directors to assess the
stockholders 81 per share and to collect the
same.
Mr. Il. Harris Archer moved to lay the re-
solution on the table. He did not think
such an assessment could be collected The
Idea had been suggested that the assessment
could be made, the $1,000 collected, the
State appropriation secured, and then divi-
dend he declared, and each stockholders dol
lar returned TO him. If That was the object
OF the resolution it declared lie on its face.
Col. Webster said that in offering the reso-
luton he did not intend to perpetratc lie
and had no intimation ofany hidden meaning
in the resolution. 1t was merely plain bust
ness proposition. The State says We'll give
your society $1,000 if its members give the
same amount. If the agricultural society
wants the money from the State the money
must be raised from some source either from
the members or from some other quarter.
AS to the difficulty of making the collections,
as suggested by Mr.. Archer, the directors are
empowered to collect the assessment, and if
they won't do it, we'll try to get some others
who will
Major A. M. Hancock thought that if the
plan of assessing the members 81 per share
was undertaken, it would assuredly bring the
society into contempt and derision. He
was willing to pay the assessment on his own
shares, but he had not talked with a single
man but who was opposed 10 levying con-
tribution upon the shares. When the shares
were bought it was for q specified sum, and
there is no power anywhere to increase the
cost of those shares He thought the next
Legislature, upon presentation of the facts,
would pay the money without the necessity
of levying contribution on the members
If you attempt to levy 81 per share you
will not collect 800 outside the town of Bel
Air.
Hon. Herman Stump said he had had
conversation with the Comptroller, who was
anxious 10 pay the money, provided he could
take such view of the wording of the law
as would justify him in doing so. Mr.. Stump
thought that the Comptroller might be in
duced to take different view of the law, and
suggested the appointment of committee to
confer with him and take such steps as would
reconcile the differing views-the action of
the committee to be binding on the stock.
holders.
proposition was made by Mr.. s. W.
Raymond that each member have the privi-
lege of purchasing transferable season tickets,
to the next fair, good for one entrance each
day. Another that the society sell its en-
trance tickets to stockholders at 81 and take
them up at 81.
Mr.. s. A. Williams, Treasurer of the So
ciety, said several propositions to raise the
money lid aees before the directors, and it
was thought that if the one to assess the
members was adopted the directors, having
the control of the bylaws, could collect the
money. Our society is the only one in the
State which allows its members to attend the
exhibitions free. 1t was proposed before
the exhibition of 1870, to require every men,
Der to pay 81 for his entrance ticket. The
policy and views of n good many of the d.
rectors, he thought, was to declare dividend
with the amount paid into the treasury from
the assessments.
Some further discussion, in which VIM. G.
Scott, james *. Keech, Cheyney Hoskins and
others participated, then took place. After
! wards Judge Price said that he did not think
any one could get the Comptroller to put any
different construction on the law than he had
already done. The law says distinctly that
$1,000 shall first be paid in by the members,
before the States appropriation can be OBJ
tanned. We have no lawful nor just right to
levy 81 per share, We can request the men,
bers to pay 81 per share, and it is right that
those who do so should have some privileges
over those who do not. Judge Price then
moved to amend the resolution offered by
Col. Webster, so that it would read as fol.
lows:
Whereas, 1t appears from the report of the
Treasurer that this Society is in debt about
$1,000, part of which is due to the Treasurer
for advances made by him, and that there is due
this society 81 900 by the State of MARYLAND per
act of the last General Assembly; provided an
equal amount is paid into the Treasury by the
members thereof
BE ii Resolved, That the members be requested
to contribute one dollar per share on the
one thousand shares of stock held by
| the members of the Society," and that the
board of Directors be and they are hereby re-
quested to take the necessary steps to secure the
collection of said contribution, to the end that
the State appropriation may be made available,
the Treasurer reimbursed and the Society relev-
ed of its present indebtedness
Ard that for every dollar so voluntarily paid
by said members. the Directors issue free sea
son ticket to the Grand Stand and Quarter
Stretch, for the exhibition of the year 1879
Judge Prices amendment was unanimous
| ly adnnted and lLn nnetinm ndinnrnad