The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-05-19

d0ubtIess desire 10 c0mDine business With
pleasure. They will expect to learn by per-
sonal observation something Of our climate,
soil, productions, manufactures, mineral
and other resources. With but few, II any,
will extended travel through the State be
contemplated, and therefore the capital
should be the central point at which all de-
sired information will be furnished. This
can be best done through the agency OF
the State Agricultural Society. To meet this
expectation the Society has already indicated
its purpose 10 open Its annual fair or exhi-
btion on the 12 h OF October, and continue
1t twelve days, until the 2g;h. This tripi.
Gates the usual period allotted to It's fairs,
and will greatly increase the expenses
arising from the payment OF gate.keepers,
superlntendents, guards, &c. Additional
buildings will be needed, aud are indIspen-
sable for The proper display Of minerals.
agricultural implements, manufactures of
all kinds, farm. garden, and other products.
1t is impossible for the Society to meet this
increased expenditure, and is forced 10 ap-
peal to the city Of Richmond, through its
Council, for aid. An application for such
assistance has been made, and the subject
is now before the Finance Committee. and
we are thus brought directly TO the subject
that beads our article.
The State Agricultural Society was organ
lied In 1852 and received its charter Of in
corporation on the nth March, 1853. Its
charter and constitution differs from any
other State society In the United States. Hav-
ing the usual rights aud privileges OF cor
pOrate body, 1t has no stockholders or other
direct beDetciaries. II has no paid officers,
even 10 the extent Of personal expenses
when in the discharge OF their duties. eX-
cept the secretary and treasurer, who is re-
quired TO devote his whole time and keep
an open office in the city OF Rich
mond. All funds, from whatever source,
acquired, are, by its constitution, devoted
to The improvement Of the "cOndition OF
agriculture, horticulture, and the auxiliary
mining and mechanic arts" In this man.
ner IL stands forth as q mutual aid society
Tor all the productive interests OF the State.
Not one OF It's members caniclaim vested
personal light in the property and income
OF the Society beyond that which inures TO
every citizen OF the Common wealth. Its
objects, therefore, when faithfully carried
out by the executive body. are entirely
impersonal. No organization can Occu-
py higher ground as beneficial
institution, and hence no personal interests
or considerations can be involved in the
application which is now made to the city
OF Richmond for aid. In the early history
OF the Society its chief support came from
the city IN her corporate authority and from
liberal donations by her citizens. What
was this support? Let the Society respond
through one OF the earliest reports 1850 OF
its Executive Committee "The Executive
Committee cannot, in justice 10 the city Of
Richmond, omit to state that by her COun-
ell and her citizens individually she has
contributed to the Society in land and
money the sam OF 1000, or evea more
than that by several thousand, il we take
into view the enhanced value of the beauti-
iul lot which has been placed at our dis
posa as long as we choose 10 enjoy it, and
further to say that the skill and taste OF
one OF her most useful citizens (Mr
Thomas L. Glles) have adorned The
grounds and fitted them for our usa and
reception as no other grounds in the Union
are fitted up. il is TO be hoped that thi.
! liberality TO an institution whose benefits
are but secondary to her will moi be without
its influence on those whose direct interest
is TO foster and promote it," Nor did Rich
mond stop here; but for a series Of years
to 1SjS-her Council contributed annually
the sum OF $4,000. With the commencement
OF the war, or rather one year before, in
consequence OF disturbing political subjects,
the operations OF the Society We're suspend
ed, its grounds were dismantled, and have
since been converted into a beautiful park.
| What has occurred since will be reserved
for another paper.