The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-01-19

each week for the four weeks preceding the an
nual meeting. Special meetings of the society
may be called by the board OF managers by Civ.
ing all the societies at least ten days notice OF
| the meeting. naming the place and time Of such
meeting.
A circular was distributed among the dele.
gates showing the financial condition of the
society, from which the following facts are
taken: Balance on hand, Dec. 10, 1886
1926 63; receipts from Dec 10. 1886. tt
Dec. 10, 1887, including balance on hand
receipts from the last fair and one-half spe
cial state appropriation, $1O5.2OO So, OF
which there has been disbursed for indebted
ness, permanent improvements, ETC. 300,
792. so. leaving balance IN the treasury OF
Sd. 4O773 The gross receipts during fan
week were $79, 3O3 SO, including tickets
sold, entrance money, privileges. rent and
postage, etc; and the disbursements fol-
premiums, race purses, special attractions,
officers salaries and incidentals, SOL ,256 81,
showing the net profits of the last fair to be
SIS. O47.34. The amount expended for race
attractions, s 1910, represents disbursc-
ments from which the society received no
direct revenue, and the special attraction
fund of $l3.43 rs was divided between
the G. A. r. GIL, 9S2.75 and music GIL 1860.
The present value of the surplus account is
&572 631. 80, including 100000 in land
aud $173. 992 in buildings.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Before announcing that the election of
officers vas the next order of business, Presi-
dent Merriam craved the indulgence of the
association for a few minutes, in which he
gave the following address, which was kindly
received 0y the members of the association
and the speaker warmly applauded at its
conclusions:
Gentlemen: It is a source Of qualification to
6Dd for the first time in its history the Einne-
sofa State Agricultural society practically out Of
debt and with sufficient funds at hand to con-
t1uue its work for the present season. For years
the friends Of this institution have worked in
cessantly for its welfare, in season and out of
season. From small BEGINNINGS it has grown
constantly, until to-day no agricultural society.
unless it be the St. Louis Mechanical Assccis ton
or such complete grounds. Situated midway be-
tween tho Twin Cities of the Northwest, with
perfect facilities for transportation and for the
full exhibition. we are in a position to build MP
an institution that will be creditabie to the
state and the people of the Northwest.
are given for tho benefit Of the instruc-
ton which they afford. with the view of en-
HANGING the condition Of the people and adding.
by generous competition, to the material well
fare or the commonwealth. An institution con-
Quoted upon this broad basis is, Of necessity. Of
incalcuiable benefit. The founders of this So
e
on the work In the early history of Minnesota
when the state was thinly settled, with but linn ;
lied means OF transportation. and when, as .
rule. the people were unable, for causes of q Pc
cuniary nature. to take part in the annual gath
ering. it 10 not surprising that the exhibits were
not large
Now that tho state has become populous. and
that means are at hand for easy access to the
fair. no reason exists why the plans originated
by the society should not be carried out Better
farming. better manufactured goods, better
or-saving machinery are needed; better stock
must be raised: in fact, anything that adds to
the wealth and the happiness of the citizen are
society holds its yearly exhibit for that purpose
The beard finds II profits by experience. and
each year hopes to make the entertainment moro
varied and more profitable than the year previ-
Gus. At the fair in september. among the at
fractions were the exhibits from various coun-
ties; some OF them were especially praiseworthy
and commendable as shown. the remarkable
versatility Of tho soil. and the agricultural re-
sour ces of the state.
1t is to be hoped at the coming fair to offer
very handsome premium, one sufficiently large
to he attractive, for the best county exhibit, be-
ieving that a large number Of counties will vie
with each other in endeayoring to show to the
world the results arising from careful develop
ment. 1t Is suggested that the board add still
more to an already full premiumlis list attractive
sums for tine live stock OF every kind. As fast
as the condition Of the treasury will permit it is
desired that the grounds be put in attractive
shape; laying out roadways. walks, boulevards,
etc. The railroads of the state extended better
facilities than heretofore in the way Of passen-
ger rates. and an endeavor will be made for the
coming year. to have the fares still further re-
duced Some of the railroads carried exhibits
to and from the fair free: others were not so
entation OF the facts all Of the railroads center
ing at St. Paul ana Minneapolis will adopt the
same liberal policy.
The success and usefulness Of this society
Of oScif 1or
upon the managing board. You must see to it
that men Of character and ability are eelected to
look after its affairs. Men should be chosen
who have the welfare of the state at heart and
who arc willing to devote some time to benefit
the commonwealth and not for the mere pecun-
larry gain which may come from the work. In .
your directors and officers and the result cannot
but Ee satisfactory.
My short connection with this institution has
given me some opportunities to judge Of the
work, and Of the possibilities Tor the future and
I assure you that know of nothing that will
rebound more to the future greatness OF Mime
sofa than the successful growth OF this society
managed by men who are DESTROYS OF doing some
good to those around them.
desire to take this opportunity to express
my thanks to the members Of the board and the
officers who have served with me during tbs
past year for their invariable consideration and
cOurtsey. The satisfactory result has been due
their unt,rlnG and generous efforts and affords
me especial pleasure to publicly testify to the
fact.
President Merriam desired the secretary
to read a letterfrOm Hon. 1gnatius Donncl.
~, which was a declination of reelection
for ono OF the vice Presidents on account
Of proposed absence. etc.
Judge G. P. Gregory Of Saltwater placed
in nomination for reelection w. R. Mer-
RAM of St. Paul.
Mr.. !. j. Furlong of Mower county both
seconded tho nomina ton and moved that
the secretary be instructed to cast the
vote OF the association for Mr.. Merriam,
which was carried and the vote cast amidst
great applause and cries OF speech"
Gen. Baker to the chair pending the mo.
ton, in resumins his seat said he was very
grateful for the honor, and hoped to serve
the society to its entire satisfaction.
Other officers were elected as follows:
First Vice President-F. C. Pillsbury OF
Minneapolis. Second Vice President
James McHench OF Martin county.
Board of Managers 1.-TWO members) Col.
Mark Chambers of Owatonna and C. NJ.
Cosgrove of Le Sueur.
There was lively discussion on
n resolution offered by j. J.
Furlons of Austin appropriating
the sum OF 50, 600 for the use OF George E.
Knox. who was injured in the sham battle
at tho last State Fair. Mr.. Grattan offer.
ed as substitute, q resolution THAT the
board OF managers be instructed to send
George E. Knox $500 for immediate use,
and to furnish him such further funds 40
they may think he needs, after close in.
vestigation OF tho case. Tho resolution
was adopted.
that {twas tho sense Of tho meeting that