Bridgeton pioneer., 1896-01-30
ANNUAL MEETING.

ANNUAL MEETlNG.
The Society Seems to be in Flourishing
Condition and Great Hopes are En-
tertained for its Future Success.
The forty-third annual meeting of the
Cumberland County Agricultural and
Horticultural Society was held at the
Court House Wednesday afternoon, and
the attendance was quite large, and
lively interest was manifested in the af-
fairs of the organization.
There was very little legislation accom-
plished Wednesday, the important matter
of revising and arranging the schedule
being left with the Executive Committee.
There was some discussion concerning
attractions for the fair and the impression
seems to prevail that the Society should
open UP new line and take its place
with the other successful fairs of the East.
There was general regret expressed
concerning the inability of President
Hires succeeding himself, but the So
ciety has secured a most efficient and
painstaking officer in the person OF Bel
ford b. Elwell, of Stoe Creek, a gentle
man who has been most efficient mem
ber of the Executive Committee of the
Society.
Fortunately for the Society, Mr.. I. G.
Smalley, the efficient Secretary was pre-
vailed upon to continue in the position
another year. He was desirous of retiring
and advanced the argument that the work
interfered with his business, but his re-
tirement now would have been serious
blow to the organization, and the MEM
bers quick to see it, brought such pres
sure upon the gentleman that he finally
reluctantly consented to be reelected.
The Society acted very wisely to in the
matter of selecting dates. Heretofore
the Society has stepped aside for all other
fairs, and the exhibitions have been too
early. This year the Society will assume
an independence, and has decided to
open it's gates on the 9th and 10th of Sep
tember, splendid season, and one that
will much better suit the farmers, who
bring their produce, and the visitors who
desires to take in the show.
President Hires called the meeting to
order, denied himself the privilege of
making speech, and proceeded with the
business of the day.
The minutes of the previous meeting
were read and approved. This was fol-
lowed by a report of the Secretary. He
called attention to the fact that the fair
had not been financially successful. The
Committee had been worked hard to sue
ceed, and used their best efforts to push
che fair. He felt that the people gener-
ally were averse to seeing the fair go
down. The report was accepted and
placed on file.
Treasurer Dare presented a most care
full and elaborate report of the finances of
the Society during the past year. From
all sources there had been received $3491.
26. The expenditures had been $347O.75.
There was due the Society, from life
due $3.50, making a total of $405.10, with
the balance makes total balance of $425.-
81. There was yet owing bills to the
amount of 1888, which would leave, when
the final balance is struck, $S7.61 in the
treasury.
In answer to questions it was learned
that there were 14O life members of the
Society.
The matter of the revision of the sched-
ule was left with the Executive Com
mittee.
The Executive Committee recommend
ed that the exhibits of the Society be con-
fined to Cumberland and Salem counties.
Heretofore the exhibits have been re-
ceived from the First Congressional Dis
trict. The recommendation was adopted
without debate or dissenting vote.
After some discussion the meeting re-
solved to hold the fair two days, and the
dates were fixed on the 9th and 10th of
September next.
The price of members tickets was fixed
at 81, and after some debate it was or
dered that two coupons be attached to the
members tickets. 1t was further decided
that the admission for the first day should
be twenty-five cents, and fifty cents the
second day. The matter of admission
was not fixed until after some spirited
debate. Children under ten years of age
will hereafter get in free. Carriage tick
cts were fixed at twenty-five cents.
A resolution was introduced provid-
ing that the Society withdraw from the
National Trotting Association. The mat
ter was thoroughly discussed, but was
decided in the negative by vote of only
3 in favor of it.
Then came the election of officers
which resulted as follows:
President-BelfordB B. Elwell.
Vice Presidents-Job M. Young, Chas.
Boody, j. Howard Sharp, Lewis M.
Hires.
Secretary-lsaac G. Smalley.
Treasurer-Joseph HI. Powell.
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