Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-16
AFTER THE BIG SHOW
THE VIRGINIA EXPOSITION COMPARED
WITH THOSE HELD rs OTHER STATES
President starke Reads His Report Before
Few stockh olders Annual Meeting
Adjourned TO April.

Yesterday at noon was the time TO winch
The stockholders OF the Virginia Agricultural
and Mechanical Society adjourned when
they. on the ljth Of December, found that
- 9bey had 10 quorum At their animal meeting,
<:s called by President Ashton Starke, 10 be
held on that day al IL O'Clock for the election
OF officers tor the year, hearing reports Of the
officers. and transacting other business. The
place Of meeting was the ball Of the Chamber
OF Commerce. aud at the designated time yes.
terday number OF stockholders and life
members were present, among them Hon.
Ashton S,arke. the president; Major a. X.
Vepable. Jr.. secretary; Mayor J. Taylor FL
Tyson, General james G., Field, OF Abe
marie; Colonel Sherwin NcRae; DR.. M. q.
Holt. OF surTy; Dr. J. a. Reed. OF Orange,
and Messrs T. ". Wood, II. Theodore FL
lJs0n and Norman V. Randolph, oi this city;
W. Rosne Huiiin, ol Chesterfield; G. III.
Ptrson. Of Caroline; VI. B.Rowe. OF Fred
Tioksburg, &. }. Sale. Of Essex; Dir. rtOn.
oi Albemarle COlouei Robert Beverley, OF
Fauqucr, formerly presidest Of the society (;
and \ coloTed stock holder OF this city.
No QUORUM PRESENT.
Mr.. Starke called the meeting 10 order 81
few minutes after II O'Clock, aad said that
II was quite evident that there was no quo-
rum present, as the bylaws require a ma
jority or 1901 shares Of stock W constitute
quorum Tie stated further that he had pre-
pared M individual report as president
comparing the recent Exposition held by
the society with those held IN other states,
and making certain suggestions as 10 the fu-
ture. As an appendix 20 this there bad
been prepared n separate report OF the EX-
ecuiive Committee giving the operations OF
Rlc society and embodying the results TO be
found more ia detail in The statements OF
the secretary aud treasurer. In the absence
Of quorum he did not feel au-
thorized 10 suomit the renort 0i the
Executive Committee, which he had in msnu-
script, but he would read his report, which he
regarded ss bis own property, and which no
felt AZ liberty 30 Use as he thought proper,
and which he was quite sure contained iniOr-
mstion that would be gratifying 10 those
present. He bad found one precedent IN the
records Of the organization where the re-
ports OF The President and Executive Com
Inittee were separated, and this was under
the administration OF the first president
The Presidents Report
Mr.. stsrke then read the following paper,
which received the careful attention OF those
present:
Gentlemen OF the Virginia State Agricultural
and Mechanical Society:
On October 27, 1887, had the honor OF
being elected president Of the Virginia State
Agricultural Society, sn organization which
for thirty-fiye years had been conspicuous
on account OF the large number OF men
prominent for sterling worth and hOnored
citizenship constituting i,s membership.
think II may said that no single organi-
Zation in this state ever commanded more
respect from the people, aud hence ] was
embarrassed in taking upon me an oilce
which had been occupied by men OF such
pronounced ability and extended expe'
rlence.
I-pOn the organization Of the Virginia
State Agricultural and Mechanical Society
vour partiality called me 10 the presidency
Of this OrgauizatiOn with my honOred ana
greatly respected colleagues General J0-
seph Il. Anderson, first vice-p president; Ma
ior John T.. Branch, second vice-presifentj
Colonel A. $. BufOrd. third vice president
aud 10 these, with tho gentlemen consu'
tutlng your Executive Committee, l am
under TIE proiouudest obligations Tor hearu-
est cooperation aud support.
AnpendiX A, being my report Tor the
Executive Committee, sets forth the trans.
actions Of the society for the year past and
states the AMOUNT Of money which was
available to them wherewith TO organize
and CARRY on our great Exposition, which
was opened October 3, 1SSS.
II NAV he well to draw some comparisons
between the amount thus given and the
amounts which have been placed at the dis
posal of other organizations throughout the
country which have attemoted similar under
aklnys. AZ Cincinnati, Ohio, there closed
on october -, 1SsS. centennial exposition
aftc7 run Of one hundred days. The citi.
. ~. NJ of
notes 90 the amount OF Sl .0j0. 900. After the
isle Of furniture, buildings, &c, a 30 per
cent. assessment, or about S350,000, was
found necessary 10 meet the deficiency. At
Augusta Ga, | find that they had SllG.-
G03.G0, and resulted In deficit OF 100000,
and white they gave away FOR premiums
SlG.COL5l, we gave away for premiums S22,-
300
At Louisville, ky., at the last Exposition
they bad subscriptions to stock Oi S2S3,000;
only about 10 per cent. Of the amount can be
returned to the stockholders, and The pro-
perty OF the organization now in liquida-
tiou.
II ia needless for me 10 say that your So
c,etv ia 10 be congratulated upon the great
work accomplished In so short time and
with such limited resources The many
natterinR comments from tho press within
and without our state and from Individuals
renresenting nearly every section OF this
country testify TO the signal success OF your
first Exposition.
As Virgniaus feel that Of this we have a
right to be proud, and. while | would rem
der 10 Him who care,h for us the gratitude
OF our hearts. nv one PRAYER is that It shall
lead us to greater eXcrions, renewed conil-
dence, and 6rmer determination TO build up
our beloved State.
SOME LEARING FEATURES.
The display Of manufactured articles, ma.
Chincry, aud works Of art coming from
every quarter OF and nearly entirely from
this state was simple revelation 10 the
world and q surprise 10 our own people.
The cattle, horses, sheep, swine, ana poul-
Try made up one OF the grsndest exhibitions
Of the kind ever seen in this country, while
the farm products, fruits, aud flowers told a
story not to be forgotten by any whose for
tune IL was 10 see them. The exhibitions OF
tobacco surpassed anything Of the kind ever
seen in any land. Tune, labor, expense, in~
genuitv, spared nothing to place this magnh-
cent display beyond all comparison.
A. would be an endless task for me TO call
attention In detail 10 oil OF the features
which made this Exposition prominent and
significant. The magnificent displays made
by the Richmond aud psnvlllo railroad,
with its grand COLLECTION OI minerals WOous,
precious stones and gems. polished marbles
and manufactured pottery brought from
along its lines OF roads, and The Goals and
woods exhibited by the Norfolk and West
e.n railroad, made up one Of the most at
traetiye OF all Of the different classes OF ex.
hibits and was the wonder aud sdmiration OF
every visitor
There was one feature, however, which
must have an especial notice, and thSt was
found In the county exhibits. While not as
many OF these were represented as there
should have been, am convinced that were
the Exposition repes,ed, such a response
from the counties Of the State would be had
~ few imagine. Chesterfield, as the result
OF Drawn and brain. led OF with the first pre-
nium, Henrlco being second. aud Abe
marie third, for she best display OF agrieul-
tural products. The varied displays OF
woods, minerals. cereals. relics, works OF
art etc.. msds by Wythe, Smy,h, SOUTH
ampton, Priace Edward. Powhatan, Not.
a