Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-12-03
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Agricultural Society.-A meeting of
the members of this organization was held
at the office of the Secretary, c. w. Pretty
man, on Saturday last. The following re-
port of committee, appointed at previous
meeting, to devise some plan for relieving
the Society from its present financial embar-
rassment, was adopted:
To tue Members Of the Montgomery County
agricultural Society:
GENTLEMEN-The Committee appointed
at the meeting held on the 18th inst, to de-
wise some plan for liquidating the debt of
the Society, which, Notwithstanding the eff
forts of the officers, was greatly increased
because Of the most unfavorable weather
during our last exhibition, have given the
subject careful consideration.
Whatever other results may be arrived at,
they are united in this: That the debt must
be removed and the Society be no longer
hampered by an embarrassed pecunary con-
dition. 1t was only on contemplating its
possible discontinuance, that we realized
what hold it had upon our interests
Formed by earnest and thoughtful men of
a past generation, it was a pioneer in Agri-
cultural improvement and in the promotion
ofthat social intercourse which is absolutely
necessary in every prosperous community.
Its importance in cementing friendly feel
ings and in extending acquaintanceship be-
tween different sections OF our county; in
disseminating valuable information through
admirable annual addresses which were
published and had more than an ephemeral
value; its success and energy in providing
the most beautiful and convenient fair
grounds in the State, unsurpassed, indeed,
by any in the country, all indicate sphere
OF usefulness that the citizens of our grow
ing and rapidly improving section will not
permit to be abridged The Committee
hastily allude to its past history and to its
honored founders and supporters now no
more, that we, their descendants and sue
cessors may be inspired anew to put our
shoulders to the wheel and place it upon a
firm and reliable foundation.
The best method of accomplishing this
is somewhat difficult to discover readily,
as the charter of the Society throws obstruc-
tons almost insurmountable in the way of
alternating a portion of the property, or of
giving mortgage upon it, even if such a
course were desirable.
There might be some doubt Also as to
our authority to issue certificates of men,
bership for ten years, upon the payment of
ten dollars, as the charter says the payment
tinued membership.
Perhaps the best solution of the difficulty
is the following, which your committee sug-
gests to the meeting for your consideration,
viz That
FNrst-A committee be appointed by the
Executive Committee to solicit loans from
members and others, of sums ranging from
five dollars upward.
Ill
cate to each person making the loan, that
such sum was received for the liquidation
of the debt of the society, and the Certifl-
cate shall state that the loans will be re-
turned when surplus funds may accumulate
after payment of premiums, annual expen-
ses and necessary repairs.
Ihird.-As the surplus funds may accum-
ulate, the Board shall deposit them in some
interest-paying institution until a sufficient
amount shall be on hand to take up the in
debtedness, when the Board shall at once
proceed to redeem the Certificates as rapidly
as possible.
F0urth-No new buildings or other per-
manent Improvements to be made until the
loans have all been taken up.
1t is true that these Certificates would
have no legal force, but the members of the
society would themselves be the principal
creditors and would be unlikely to place in
office any Board which would not consci-
entiously labor TO manage the finances of
the society to the best advantage, and that
would not feel its honor pledged to the ex-
tinguishment of the debt at as early day
as practicable.
You will remember that once before in
the history Of the society debt was raised
in somewhat similar manner, and that the
obligations of the society were entirely dis
charged.
1t cannot be that there is less public spirit
in our community now or less love for this
one institution of our county in which all
should feel a common interest.
Respectfully submitted,
uENDV ~ IIATInUETT