The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-08
THE FARMERS ANNUAL
BOARD MEETING
WITH ITS SHARP CONTESTS.
Hog Cholera and Other Topics-Minor
Societies of the Industrial Com
greSs I'm Session.


Industrial Associations began yesterday IN
the State Capitol with the annual meeting
OF the State Board OF Agriculture. The dele
gate State board is composed OF the six
teen members OF the State board and a
delegate from each county or district fair
association In the State. There are usually
about seventy-five members in attendance at
these meetings. Yesterday the usual num-
Der was here. The meeting opened by
devotional exercises led by Rev. ID. X. Van
Buskirk, and then Mayor Taggart made a
short address Of welcome.
After the roll call President James NJ
Sankey, of Terre Haute, delivered his an
nual address. He reviewed the organization
OF the board and its work in the many years
Of its existence. He then gave a short re-
view of the crops Of last year in this State
In speaking OF the State Live Stock SAM
tary Commission he said
THE State Live Stock Sanitary Commits
sion, authorized by statute and a creature
or this board, has been greatly embarrassed
during the last year on account or an IN
sJfnciency or funds to properly prosecute
its work in eradicating contagious diseases
among domestic animals: During the year
there have been outbreaks of Texas fever
IN the counties OF Putnam, hendricks, Nor
gan, Gibson and st. Joseph. More than fifty
farms were visited and quarantined by the
commission, and only about thirty deaths
or cattle from the plague were reported
during the year. In the same time hfty-one
horses affected with glanders have Deen
destroyed by order of the commission, l23
nave been 1uarantined and the disease
thereby prevented from spreading. Or cat
tie affected with tuberculosis, ii nave been
killed, DOL have been Guaranteed and every
precaut1on taken to prevent Its spread, and
thereby guard the health of the people.
In my address OF year ago l urged the
Importance of completing the purchase OF
the grounds we held under lease and con-
tract at the earliest possible moment. AS
the reports of the secretary and treasurer
VIII show that the receipts and expenditures
are SO evenly divided. and nothing being
left TO form a nucleus OF a sinking fund,
which might be used in future for the pur-
chase OF the leased grounds which we noyv
occupy, L suggest and recommend that We
buy the leased ground now used by us, and
then sell all except l66 acres, or. in other
words, sell hfty-four acres, and thereby
stop the annual payment of 1872 rent for
grounds for which, at this time, we have
absolutely no use whatever, nor. In my judg-
Inent, VIII we have in the next half century.
L also suggest that the salaries of the Off
GERS and members be reduced and rigid
economy adhered to.
1t is a notorious fact that the attendance
at fairs generally has decreased during the
past two years. To such extent is this
true that several associations have been
compelled to retire from business. By COM
mon consent this state of affairs is at
trIDuted TO want of drawing attractions.
The fair of twenty years ago doesn't meet
something new, and unless they get ii at
our fairs they will seek Ii elsewhere. While
providing new attractions, there is also an
other class who must be looked after-thoSe
whose business engagements are such as 10
make IL impossible for them to get away
during business hours. This being true. ii
Is perfectly clear to me that something must
be done to provide attraction on the
fair grounds that will merit the attendance
or both these classes OF people. Experience
OF other arrangements has settled on this;
IL is no longer experiment, but a safe
undertaking. If IL can be done at a reason
able cost. 1 would light the grounds and
buildings thoroughly with arc lights.
Il would give TO our patrons a musical en-
tertainment by one OF the greatest bands in
the country; make the. attractions varied
by giving display of fancy horSemanship
and driving, supplying fun for all by inau-
gurating a series of pony and running races,
supPlementing this. with a display of fire.
works and other features that may here
after suggest themselves, and which WILL
together with the fair, as seen in the day
time. form most attractive exhibition. If
such attraction fails, 1 would almost
be prepared to heed the cry heard in some
quarters. that the days of the fair are over.
| hope that. with the reorganization of the
board, these matters viii be taken up early,
and be put In readiness, so that the people
OF the State may be well informed OF the
features OF the next fair: If this matter is
taken in hand in time and thoroughly adver-
tised. am convinced that the receipts will
be much greater than they have been here
tofOre"
President Sankey closed his address by
thanking the members of the board for the
support they had given him.
Immediately following this address the
committees were appointed as follows:
Observation-Disclosures Downing, Hancock;
James /. Davis, Montgomery; W. Beau
champ, Vigo; c. r. Worrell, Monroe, and
w. :. Commons, Wayne.
Auditing Committee-C. b. Harris, Elk
hart; William Blackstock. Tippecanoe; j.
w. LeGrange, Johnson; Mr.. Bridges, Put
nam. and Mr.. Morgan, Montgomery.
Presidents Address-John Q. A Sieg Har-
rison; Mr.. Barr, w. W. Latta. Noble; /. N
Miller and Jesse Stevens, Wayne. This COM
mittee will consider the presidents address
and make such recommendations from its
suggestions as may seem proper.