Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-01-17

.
County Agricultural society was held at
the Addison House, Wednesday, at l
o'clock p. m. 1t was called to order by
the president, K. n Bissell of East Shore
ham. The report of the secretary, F. G.
Dyer of West Salisbury, was first sub
mitted. 1t follows:
sECRETARY's REPORT.
1t has not been customary for the sec
retary of this society to submit an annu-
al report, but knowing as | do the many
changes and suggestions that can be more
properly brought to your notice in this
manner, thought best to deviate from
the path of old custom and establish a
new precedent. The past year has been
one of the most successful in the nearly
half century of the society's existence.
For the first time in years the society is
on sound financial footing and the pros
poets of continued prosperity are bright.
For years it had been the custom to run
the annual fairs on another party's pock-
ct book, and whether successful or not.
the society was neither the gamer nor
loser, keeping simply on neutral ground.
Realizing that this could not always last,
anu, indeed, that it could last no longer,
the executive board at special meeting
called for the purpose voted to lease the
fair grounds for stipulated sum-$200
and run the fair for the benefit of the So
ciety. Through the efforts of members
of the board, among whom Mr.. Josiah
E. Dewey deserves especial mention for
his untiring zeal, and the liberality Of
citizens of Middlebury and vicinity, a
sum was raised sufficient to encourage
the fair ground company to erect new
and commodious grand stand, removing
the old one that has been such menace
to life and limb for several years past.
To this great improvement was added
judges stand and band pavilion, and l
can truthfully say that no better can be
found on any fair ground in Vermont,
size considered
1t was urged at this time by some prom
inent horsemen that means should be ia
ken to ensure fair play in the races, and
after due deliberatiOn it was decided to
join the National Trottng association and
put our track under National rules. This
was done, and the rules were enforced to
the letter; and believe that it has been
a great benefit to the society as well as
to its treasury. 1t had become proverbial
that no square trOtting could be seen at Il
fair in Middlebury, and, as if in corrob-
Grafton of this, the usual number of old
campaigners and "ringers struck the
town day or two before the fair. If
they trotted anywhere, it was for their
own amusement The drivers consumed
some valuable time in condemning in
broad terms the National association, but
at last accounts that organization was
not in danger of dismembeIme
Considerable fault was found with the
track, and rightly, too. 1t should be i'm
proved before the next annual fair and
should be put in proper shape early in
, the season. The purses should be in
creased, as they are much too small and
many more would enter if the purses
were large enough to encourage them to
t come. There should be some changes
t made in the premium list; the changes
should be made in the live stock depart
ments, chiefly. The matter should be
left to a committee, they to report at a
future meeting of the executive board.
1t is imperative that a change be made in
? some of the committees, as many COM
> plants of favoritsm were heard during
and after the last fair. While | know
and appreciate the delicacy of the posi-
ton of a committee in many instances
they should certainly be free from any
. suspicion of bribery or corruption.
1t would greatly expedite matters in
the secretary's office if all entries of live
stock be made at least five days before
the fair, entries to be made on blanks
furnished by the secretary on application
: Entries in races should close at least
eight days before the fair, as all entrie:
d.. have to be sent to the secretary of the
= National association at Hartford before
the races come off, and last year was
f obliged to telegraph the entries, entail
e ing quite an expense. The premium list
= should be published as early as the frs
. of June.
In the matter of free passes I have tC
say, from observation and experience
that it is system that we must do away
n with. Many of them are given 70 per
;, sons abundantly able to pay, and even il
u they should not come, we certainly coulC
: not lose anything. 1t has been the Gus
/ tom to provide judges with compliments
n ries, but we can furnish them will
: badges, and, if necessary, could pay then
for their services. and be the gamer. We
d must ring the bell on deadheadism.
f The present constitution of the society
:, should be considerably revised. The con.
= stitution adopted some forty years age
was revised in 1872, wh"u here vas add
e ed to the list of officers 4 board of dirpc-
= tors. AS many changes have taken place
=. since that time, a new constitution, adap
ted to our present needs, is required; anG
: l recommend the appointment at thi;
e meeting of a committee of three to frame
one and report at the regular meeting OF
the executive board in February.
In conclusion believe that our society
that numbers 225 of the best farmers anC
business men of Addison county on its
list of members, has taken a new lease OF
d life and with the cordial cooperation OF
{ the people we can have fair, not " fol
revenue only" but to aid in the improve
ment and rebuilding of industries tina
have already made Addison county ia
!. nous at home and abroad.
q FRANK c. DYER, Secretary
a On motion of NJ. J.. Taylor of New
k Haven the report was accepted ant
adOpted by an unanimous vote.