Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-20
GET A YOUNGER NAN.
MAJOR pREwRY IN DECLINING MAKES
THIS SUGGESTION.
Mr.. Bryan Also Declines as First wee
President--The Society Called TO Meet
on wednesday Week.

PfcsfIfut-1Ut cotfttJ
on wednesday Week.
Another president will have to be chosen
before the Virginia Agricultural ana Me-
cbanicaI Society can accomplish anything
in the matter of arranging for state fair 70
be held here next fall.
Major A. II. Drewry. OF Westover. was
elected TO this Office at the meeting OF the
society held last Thursday, but after ma
tnre deliberation he has reached the DC
c;sion that he cannot undertake to DIS
charge the onerous and responsible duties
Of the position. a. "a. ..o..o-dar
morning and called at the office OF Mr.
Ashton Starke who was the energetlc
president of the organization for TWO
yyeors and M 10 the time OF the recent
election. and handed him his letter OF
declination. The Major also explained 20
Mr. Starke that it woul6 not be possible
for him TO serve and that his decision III
the matter was final.
A MEETING OF THE SOCIETY CALLED.
The envelope containing the letter was
directed to Mr.. Joseph Bryan, VINO was
chosen first vice-prosident OF the society
at Thursdays meeting. and the letter mao
been originally so addressed put sHose-
ouently changed to Mr.. Starke; ooon
after Major Drewry left the ex-President
read his letter. and being no longer ON,
cially connected with the society be calico
on Mr.. Bryan and handing the letter 10
him suggested that as first vice-president
II would perhaps be well for him TO call
meeting for the purpose OF filling the va,
cancy. The latter, however, SAID he could
not do this. as he had no idea OF accept
ing, and had written aletter OF decllnatloh'
MIR. Starke then sought Mr. L. Z; camp;
bell, the second yice-presldent, ana piaeeu
the letter in his hands. ME- CsmpDel pc
lieving very rightly that there Is no time 10
he lost. decided TO issue call for gene
raj meeting of the stockholders ana NE
members OF the society, TO be held In the
rooms of the Chamber of Commerce on
Wednesday the 18th instant at IL O'Clock
n.
should Have n New Man.
This Is Major Drewry's letter:
WRsrovEs. January 10. 1891.
Nv Dear Sir: With O heart full OF graft
tude to my friends of the Agricultural and
Mechanical Society for tho honor con-
ferred on me in my appointment TO the
presidency of the society at It's meeting on
Thursday last, and with every desire to CO.
operate to the extent of my ability with
them in the effort to advance the agricul-
tural interest of the State as well as the
prosperity of the city of Richmond, us
capital. and the place of my nativity, am
nevertheless constrained TO decline the
position, highly as appreciate the compn-
ment and hattering as it is to my ambi-
ton, for the reason that well know from
past experience theresponsibilitie and the
duties which attach to it, and am well
satisfied that l could not at my time OF
life reasonably expect to discharge them
in a manner satisfactory to myself or
beneficial to the society.
NEED YOUNGER MAN.
In the present condition of the society
YOU want younger and more active and
efficient leader to insure the desired
success; fgurehead can do you no good.
and there is no propriety In faillng
back upon an old friend because OF the
good he may have done the society IN years
long gone back, with little hope that he
can do it again. Better take up new man
who has the elements OF success within
him and future to inspire him TO their
DEVELOPMENT for the good of the society,
AZ n stepping-stone to still higher promo
ton. than trust the fortunes OF the society
In this, its critical hour, to so doubtful
chance.
For myself, am too good friend of the
society to allow any personal consldeTa-
tions to stand between me and what con-
ceive to be its best interest. hence l can
not agree to undertake the work. have
delayed the sending of this note for several
DAYS with the hope that | might see my
way clear to serve the society again, but
am. upon reflection. more thoroughly con-
ylnced that / ought not to accept the APP
pointment. and very deeply. regret that
my friends of the society should not have
understood the sincerity of my declaration
when in the meeting, before my election, L
assured them could not accept the POSI-
ton for the reasons above stated.
HIS CONCLUSION USALTERADLE.
It has cost me quite struggle TO send
Won this note for fear our friends of the
society with whom have passed so many
happy hours in years past might think
too lightly appreciated the compliment
bestowed upon me by their kind psrtiality,
but am impelled by a sense OF duty to
what seems to be the best interest OF the
society, and it is q matter of much deeper
regret to me than it can be to them that
should now feel obliged to say my con-
clusion is unalterable.
Mr. Bryan's Letter.
The following is copy of Mr.. Bryan's
letter which bears GATE OF january lotn
| and IL addressed to major A. II. Drewry
president Virginia Agricultural and Me
chanical Society. Westover, Charles City
county, Va:
Dear Sir,-I sac from the papers that
have been elected first vice-president Of
the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical
| Society. While | sincerely appreciate this
honor it is due as well to the society as u
myself to inform you, and through you the
society, that it is out of my power to &C
cept the position.
would gladly repeat any services that
may have hitherto rendered the society
and indeed do much more, as feel deeI
| interest in its success, and would be GLAD
| TO participate to the extent of my ability
in its councils. but my present engage
ments are such as to fully occupy my time
and to disable me from rendering that aic
| to the society which my present experience
as O member of the Executive Committee
| shows me will be required. Again tender
| ing the society my sincere acknowedg
| ments for the honor they have conferred
| upon me, l hereby tender my resignation
as first vice-president.
Mr.. Bryan was not at the meeting when
elected or he would not have allowed biz
name to be presented. Major Drewry wa:
present and asked that he should not bt
elected, as he was not the active, vigorou:
man that he was fifteen years ago. He