Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-29
WON'T HOLD A FAIR
HOW THE CROWD ROASTED 'EM
But -Four Of the Directors Steatfasty Re-
fused 10 Reconsider the Previous
Vote-Indignation Meeting.


ful smile. The directors Of the Kent
County Agricultural society were to
hold meeting in the rotunds, and
horny handed farmers interested IN
having fair began 20 assemble before
noon. Heated arguments were IN
dulged IN by the visitors. and long be-
fore o'clock the barkeeper's supply OF
root beer and buttermllk had been ex-
hausted. About O'Clock the partici-
pants in the joint-debate adjourned 10
the Morton house rotunda. All Paris
was present. Not the Paree Of the can
can and SKIRT dance, but the quiet,
sedate. pumpkin-raislng Paris OF our
own Kent.
President Anderson of the fair asso-
citation called time at 2:20 O'Clock. and
the directors punched themselves ii
one corner of the rotunds, assuming
''if but get him once upon the hip"
smile. and looking fierce and warllke.
Directors Anderson, Whitney, Brewer,
Mech, Garfield and Fletcher were
present. The remainder of the room
was occupied by excited advocates OF
the fair.
Mech Wanted to Know.
The traditional monkey and parrot
time was mild, harmonious happen
ing IN comparison with the meeting.
After the roll had been called Director
Mech led OFT by demanding to know
what was gong to be done about Sec
rotary Cox's resignation. Mr.. Whitney
followed this up by producing the res
olution and asking the president to
read il. After several other persons
had put in their car. Mr.. Fletcher said
that unless the board intended to do
something about 1t, he was in favor OF
proceeding to other business. Mr..
Whitney then rehearsed the clrcum-
stances of Mr.. Cox's resignation essen
TALLY as published in The HERALD.
and President Anderson countered by
declaring that the action of the board
at the previous meeting was illegal rs
no quorum was present, and claimed
Mr.. Cox was still secretary.
Mr.. Mech demanded to know about
the legality of directors willfuliy absent
ing themselves from meetings. and Mr..
Whitney put a temporary end to the
jangiingby moving that Secretary Cox's
resignation be accepted. His motion
was very heartily supported by Mr..
Mech. Mr.. Fletcher demanded the
ayes and nays, and the vote was as fol-
lows: Ayes, Directors Mech and
Brewer; nays, Directors Fletcher, Gar
field and Whitney. The president de-
clared that Mr.. Cox was still secretary.
and Mr.. Cox read the minutes, which
were quietly approved.
For = space Of two seconds after the
approval of the minutes the meeting
was almost harmonious. Then they
kicked OF by moving that the board
proceed to fill the vacancy caused by
the disqualification Of Lyman Aid
rich. There wasn't any electioneering
done.
No Remarks Allowed.
Both sides were loaded for bear and
the question Of far or no fair was to
be decided by election. While the bal
lot was being taken w. I. Adams asked
for the privilege Of making few re-
marks. but the president ruled that 1t
was not IN order and the crowd
groaned dismally.
The ballot was as follows: DR.. !. c.
Malcolm.3; o. f. ConkIing, 4. Mr.. Con-
king was declared elected.
The president then informed w. T.
Adams that he might have the floor
! aud Mr.. Adams took 1t. He called at
| tention TO the dangers of electlng q
bard of directors who would refuse to
carry out the wishes of the persons
| that elected them. He said there
should be no line dividing the county.
| that the people were there TO show
what their wishes were, and if these
| three or four men were too busy 10
serve the society he would respect them
| if they would resign.
Mr.. Conkling had been escorted
in by this time, and President
Anderson asked him if he
would accept the Office TO which
he had been elected. sBarkls was
willip," and Mr.. Fletcher then pro-
ceeded TO stir up the animals again by
moving that the president be instructed
to have the accounts of the society
thoroughly overhauled and o proper
and correct report given. MI. Mech
| supported Mr.. Fletcher's motion and
said no member Of the hoard was IN
| willing TO have the investigation. Mr..
! Fletcher warmly expressed an equal
| Willingness. and demanded that steps
DO taken to secure all sums due the
society. Mr.. Fletcher's resolution was
Il
| carried.
A Clever Dodge.
Mr.. Mech then rose aud said Mr..
| Fletcher was trying TO mIslead the pub
| lie; that his resolution was a clever
dodge TO sidetreck the fair question.
Mr.. withev said the motion was a
scheme against time, and demanded q
| reconsideration of the first vote to hold
q tair. The vote was rs follows: Ayes,
Mech, Wealthy, Brewer, Cox. Nays,
| Anderson, Conkling. Garfield, Fletcher.
| The president announced the motion,
to reconsider had failed 20 carry, and
consequently no fair would be held.
A chorus OF shrieks and howls and
hisses greeted the announcement. Yeils
of "Put' em out" Throw 'em over The
railing" "To HI with EN-" "scoun-
drels." etc, circulated about the room
The parrot that Was IN q cage by the
window joined In the symposium oi
profanity, but finding herself out
olassed. looked d.smsily out OF ths
window sad sighed for the wickednes'
of men.
W.T.. Adams said ne had heard be
fore coming 10 the meeting that q
scheme was on foot 20 elect ConklinG
10 the vacancy because he bad pledged
himself 20 vote against the fair. MOfl
shrieks and walls followed Mr.. Adams
speech, and . rather excited gentien,sy
Ia the rear Of The room suggested Oh.
advisabilisy Of taking strong and vig
orous action IA regard 20 the gerry