Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-11
AN EXPOSITION TALK.
MEETING OF THg AGRICULTURAL SO
cIgTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
The Condition OF the Trsssury-what is
Thought Of the Bxposi-
tion Scheme.

The annual meeting of the Executive
Committee of the Virginia State Agri-
cultural Society was held last night at 8
o'clock. Present Messrs. Starke (pre-
Cooke. Buford, Ross. Holt, Du-
puy, Drewry, Beverley, Glasgow, Well
ford, Rowe, Grant, Watson, Kent,
knight, and Reid.
sRCRRTARY's REPORT.
The secretary, Major A. r. Venable,
reported that he had paid the premiums
and all other expenses due except the in
terest to the city of Richmond, and
showed o loss Of q, GOO in the years
operations, leaving over 800 in the
treasury. The report was received and
filed.
EXPOSITION.
The president broached the subject of
the proposed exposition, which has been
50 extensively discussed. He said that
he was sure all present were familiar with
his views. The question Of capitaiiziug
the property of the society was the all
important issue.
lie then detailed what he bad done in
the matter and spoke of the assistance
the CITY press bad given HIM. Mr..
Starke said he desired to introduce the
subiect-open it for discussiOn-and
would be glad TO hear the views OF any
member present.
COLONEL BEVERLEY.
Colonel Robert Beverley rose TO raise
the question as TO whether the life mem
bers of the society would consent to this
capitalization of stock. Possibly two
thirds of the life members might agree
TO this, but if all did not, could not
those who opposed it go to the courts
and claim their rights as members OF the
society? This is a difficulty which had
occurred to him. He did not know il
any such opposition would be raised.
He only threw ont the suggestion for
what it might be worth.
Mr.. GLASGOW.
Mr.. !. T. Glasgow, Of Richmond, said
the all-important question was where to
raise the money for this exposition. The
surrender Of the mortgage by the city
would not give it, and he supposed that
If the city did make this surrender that
the society would give some assurance
that the money for an exposition would
be raised. lie would like to know how
the so, 000 or $50, 600 is to be raised.
Major Kent, Of Wythe county, in
quired what the property was worth.
lie was told it was varlously valued
nlD 4on l., GIoE mn
Major Kent sqid the property belonged
to the life members of the State Agncul-
tural Society, and the question would be,
Would they surrender their rights
WHO OWNS IT?
Colonel knight believed that Major
Kent was mistaken as to whom the pro-
perty belonged. The life members have
no property interest or night. BY virtue
OF certain certificate gwen them they
are allowed certain priylleges-na namely, to
attend with their families the Fair each
wear; but when member dies his
name is taken from the books The
Colonel thought in the event that the
society dissolved that the property would
escheat to the State.
Mr. Corbin did not think even if the
life members were called together that
they, by reason Of any power vested IN
them, could change the title to the pro-
perty.
Colonel Knight said that the life mem
bers would only be asked: Are you
willing to exchange your certificate OF
privileges in this society for a share OF
stock in the exposition scheme?
PUBLIC SPIRIT.
Mr.. Corbin said that the public spirit
of the citIzensof Richmond had been APP
pealed to for assistance. In Augusta
/ Ga. when they wanted money to start
the movement for IN exposition tn,
businessmen put their hands IN then
pockets and produced 100000 in elgh
/ hours.
Major 4. II. Drewry said he did no
/ know which he loved most, the city o
Richmond or the Agricultural Society
lie remembered when he could picl
/ blackberries or chase hares out by the
Richmond College, and when he saV
how that section had been built mp h'
was not entirely without hope that th'
| Fair Grounds property would be yer.
valuable after awhile.
Colonel Corbin said ho had been tolc
by a linancicr to-day that the propert.
ia worth 500, 600 now. and in httl'
while would be worth double that. III
asked if it would be possible TO call
mass-meeting Of citizens day after to
,,,orrov CTbnrsday) TO feel the publi
pulse and see what amount could be as
rer.ained. He then offered the follow
ing: .,.
this subject be referred to u COMMITTEE
oi five TO report as to the advisabllit.
and feasibility of the capitalization o
the grounds and property of the soclet.
for the purpose of making an exposition
the presldent to be chairman, and repor
tomorrow to-day.
WHERE WILL THE MONEY CONE FROM
Tho onestion was asked by a member
What is the use of talking about an ex
Dosition when you haven't got IN
money TO get it up? Where IS tn
money to come from ?"
Major NfnbDlt At4d III lNI'y WV 'A
money could not be raised as long a
the scheme was a mythe. " You can't Sc
man 10 take stock in q railroad befor
Won decide to build it or get you
charter; and the speaker believed tia
# the businessmen Of Richmond wer
approached upon this subject as a bus
ness proposition the money would readl
| " be forthcoming. He believed that j
one meeting the citizens woul
start out with $50, 900 or more.
MIR. srARKE.
MIR. Stsrke said that the property c
the Agricultural Society WAS valuable
but that the only interest the life-men
bers had in it vas the privilege OF al
tending the fairs. When he went beior
tbe Council Finance Committee an
asked that the property be capitalized
the extent of $4,000 the cOmmitte
changed the figures to 100000, because
they SAID. the property was not wort
more than SlO0, 900 They are seemingl
in position to know. In regard t
the annual fairs Mr.. Starke thought the
] lot ottroptIta nnVDlf