The San Francisco call., 1895-11-18
Not a Heavy Investor in Sixth
Agricultural District
Stock.
NO CONSPIRACY WAS FORMED.
The Bill Said to Have Been Passed by
Stealth He Considers Com.
mendable One.

SACRAMENTO, CAL, Nov. 1.-THE
series of sensational countercharges which
has been filed by the board of directors of
the sixth agricultural district has created
great deal of comment amongt those in
terested in legislative matters, and they
bid fair to stir up hornets nest of return
accusations against the farmers.
]. G. Lynch, Speaker of the Assembly,
states that every charge and allegation
made against him to the effect that he was
ever engaged in any conspiracy of any
nature to defraud the association, gain
control of the property, or railroad any
bill through the Legislature, is absolutely
false and totally without foundation.
II am not, nor have l ever been, heavy
stockholder IN this association" said he.
Eight years ago purchased one share of
stock. This was of no pecuniary value,
other than it entitled myself and family to
all the privileges of the fair grounds,
and to-day that is the only share,
as far as can tell, that stands in my name.
Nor do l think that any individual men,
ber possesses as many as ten shares
of stock. the 130 shares being divi
ded among sixty odd stockholders. /
absolutely deny that l ever made
such statement as is credited
to me in the affidavit of D. G. Stephens as
published in this mornings CALL, and
when the proper time comes l will be pre-
pared to prove the falsity of the statement.
under the old law which governed the
agricultural districts of the State, section
621 provided that the directors can incur
no Indebtedness for any purpose connected
with the fair or grounds except a sum
of $4,000, which was to be devoted to
the purchase of grounds and build
ings; any other Indebtedness to be
made at their personal risk and
responsibility. And section 622 provided
that the funds of the association could be
raised only by fees OF membership and
charges to exhibitors, these fees and
charges only to be sufficient to.pay curr r,nt
expenses of the fair and defray indebted
ness on building and grounds.
"Under this law it was almost impossi-
bic TO make any improvements on the
grounds or buildings or to formulate such
added attractions to the fair as would
serve to make it financially satisfactory.
"Under the new law the association has
the right to contract Indebtedness for asso-
citation purposes, should it be considered
beneficial so TO do and the entire associa-
tion becomes responsible for any such in
debtedness, should deficit occur, instead
of the board of eight directors.
'The bill which / introduced in the last
session of the Legislature was in the in
terest of the entire association and of every
other agricultural association throughout
the State, ana it has the Endorsement of
nearly every one of this sixty odd share
holders of the Sixth District Agricultural
Association.
"There was no conspiracy formed to rail-
road this bill through. On the contrary.
it was carefully considered by the commit
tees and by both houses. Assemblyman
Cutter of Yuba, in statement made on
the floor OF the House, said:
- consider this to be just the act neces-
sary to enable fair associations to conduct
their business in proper manner and for
their best interests, not only their indi-
vidual interests, but the interests of the
localities where situated
'1n reply to a question put by Assem-
blyman Guy Phelps of San Mateo ex-
planned the purport and character of the
bill in open session and it wa. passed with
out a dissenting vote.
This was simply bill of q public char
acter and there was never, as far as 1
know, any money used to forward it. In
fact, it is absurd to think of such thing.
"'The president of the Los Angeles Fair
Association had personal interview with
Governor Budd, and the nature of the
bill was thoroughly discussed be-
fore it received his signature, and
l wish to say that, personally, l am
proud TO know that the bill was passed. as
it will tend to place the agricultural fair
OF Los Angeles on par in point of attrac-
tions with the State fair of Sacramento.
1T is farcical to say that this bill was
railroaded through for the purpose of OBJ
tanning control of the grounds The deed
OF trust is absolutely prohibitory of any
such aim.
1.-The bill was simply for the purpose of
giving the members of the association
power to offer added attractions, improve
the grounds and buildings and make them
what they should be, the pride of the pro-
gressive people of Los Angeles"