The Newtown bee., 1896-12-18

T
 Thank goodness it is over! And may such scenes never take place at an annual meeting again. We are speaking of the annual meeting of the NewtOwn Agricul- tural Fair Co.,, which was held at the hall on Tuesday afternoon. It was worse than an annual town meeting, and those who have been in attendance at these eel ebrated gatherings, will not have to stretch their imagination to picture the scenes throughout the afternoon.
 Perhaps little inside history is neces- sary to complete the picture and make it thoroughly understood. There had been gathering of proxies on stock for some time past and the surmise was that 8 change was contemplated in the manage ment, for fear that perhaps the old board had not transacted, the business right. This, however, ,was only surmise; some thought it was for other reasons. How ever that may be the friends of the old board thought they had earned re-elec- ti0n without questioning, and as it prov
 
 they were reelected after a voyage on ''troubled seas" of endless discussion and obstruction.
 President Platt called the meeting to o der at about o'clock and after inviting all present to accept of an invitation sent by Secretary T. 5. Gold of the Connecti- cut Board of Agriculture to attend farmers convention at Danbury, this week, Secretary H. c. Beers read the call for the meeting. Then followed the s cre5ary's report in which he reheaTsed the history of the organization of the NtWtown Agricultural Fair Co. from it's D 'rmAuent organization June 10, 1896. 1 He spoke of the busy time in getting r1ady for the fair, how that 8 tract of land WAS rented of r. II. Skidmore fer 3I25 per year and additional needed land from M. 5, Otis for 522 50 per year, and Mrs Mary G. Beecher for $I5 per year. Of the building of the track by John l.. Hughes and the construction of the build ings, grand stand and fences, all Of which were completed just in time for the open l three days meet was rehearsed, the total attendance during the three days amount ing to 7jOO people and the gate receipts over $500. The excellent exhibitions and premiums awarded were also given attention and some needed improvements mentioned, like laying proper drainage for the grounds, more grand stand and main exhibition building room and lit tie paint to cover up the plain boards. In closing he spoke of the harmony among the board of directors and officers and of the plenty of hard work that had fallen to their lot. By future proper management, on account of it's excellent l cation, the secretary's report spoke of the bright future the fair might enjoy.
 The treasurer had the floor next. His report was that the receipts for the New town fair for 1896, were as follows: Gate receipts, $l5l7.l4; grand stand, S242; entrance fees for races, $244.5O; RnnaId's stake $l0O; rent of privileges, $l76 so; premium list advertising, $82; entrance in draughr contest $7 50; cake sold 75c, making total of $237O,69. Out of this vas paid for race purses, SGI1; premi- ums, $4O5 50; music, $225.8O rent of tents, $92.50; police service, $83 37; spt cial attractions, $47; secretary and his assistants salarip3, $69 so; blcvcle premiums, $26.69; hay and straw, $22; printing and advertising, $47 05; starting judge, $l8.75; insurance on buildings, SIS 50; sundries, S13.53; carting and ex- press charges, $l2.l8; badges, $2 52. This left balance of $674. 50, the net profit of the fair, of which $476.76 WAS transferred to the capital stock account, on account of some of that money not l having been paid in.
 Following is the standing of the com pany From the sale of stock they have received $3l70 and from the receipts of the fair $2370.69, making 8 total of S554O.69. Out of this they have paid pre- ums and expenses $1696.I9, for work at the grounds and buildings $3646.76 mak- ing total of $5342.95, with a cash bal ance of $l97.74 in the bank. There are liabilities of $l587.38 worth of bills, most l Uf which is for lumber, unpaid and un- provided for, except by assets of $652 "A, most of which is unpaid stock, which leaves a balance of debt due by the sOci- ety of $9346 If the 54 shares of. stock left on hand out of the $5000 capital stock could be disposed of the treasury would still have good balance.
 The acceptance of these reports was
 what caused the trouble. William H. Glover, ex-frst selecrman, played the role of obstructionist, and if he was not himself ashamed of his conduct and most of the language used by him throughout the afternoon, there were others who
 were. r. H. Skidmore seemed in doubt as to how things had been run and want. ed light. The principal want seemed to | be some additional auditing of the ac- counts outside of the directors, although
 Henry G Curtis and R. c. Mitchell had already been over and sworn to them and also an anxiety that the meeting should adjourn for two weeks. Another item
 was some uncertainty as to how MT Hughes had been treated. The talk l seemed endless but what they did finally do was to vote committee of three of which F. H. Skidmore should be the head and two other gentlemen appointed by the chair to audit the accounts and report