The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-01-08
VINTON TRIUMPHANT.
GoFham Opposition Not Strong
Enough.
PRES. VINTDN AND COL. MILLETT
LED THE FORCES.

L argest Annual Meeting of Cumberland
County Agricultural Society-Effort to
Depose President vinton Unsuccessful
The Old $40 Ticket Sore Re-opened-
Ex-sec. whitney Again Defeated.-The
Debt Increased $500,
The annual meeting of the Cumberland
County Agricultural society was held at
Gorham, yesterday forenoon in Hardlng's
Hall. 1t was the largest meeting in the
history Of the society. By 10 a. m. the
little hall was nearly filled with mem
bers, nearly 100 being present. There are
several hundred members but usually
not more than 90 or 70 take part in the
this year was due to the prospect of a con-
test over tbs election of president, due, in
large measure to dissatisfaction among
Gorham members, because OF the defeat
Of Sec. B +. Whitney of Gorham last
year, and the contest and scandal because
of the action of the trustees in selling
membership tickets for $40, though the
constitution fixes the price at 500. That
contest and Sec. Whitney's case in the
Supreme Court before Judge Stront,
where he was defeated and Sec. leighton
OF Westbrook dec1aI ed elected, is still fresh
in the public mind.
1t was stated that this year thedissatis-
fed ones especially Gorham mem bers,
would endcavor to prevent President
Vinton's reelection and elect Henry
B. johnson, of Gorham in his place. 1t
was stated among the friends Of Presi-
dent Vinton that the Gorham memb ers
would attempt to localize the control of
the society in GoTham. This they de-
clared was wrong ees il is "A county
enterprise and the l. Il Q fair at
Gorham is no good 1t.ss-. loa j.! ,.ltrol
of 1t by Gorham citizens. ho i,adlt of
the meeting was a triumph fer the presi-
dent, Hon. Warren Ii. Vinton, of Gray,
who has held the position for several
years. Also there was an effort OF rein
state ex-Seoretary Whitney but this was
also unsuccessful. The Gorham people
were successful in defeating an expected
effort to transfer the place of holding the
annual meeting from Gorham to West.
brook.
1t was about TO- 30 O'Clock when Presi.
signing Of the constitution by several
member the records of the last meeting
we're read by Secretary Leighton, of West
brook and approved
HON. H. r. MILLETT.
of Gorhams representative to the legis
lature started the fight. for the opposition,
by moving that Fred W. Harding, Chas.
Hanson and Willis I. B1ckford be ap
who of those present were members and
entitled to vote. This was contrary tt
custom and aroused opposition. After
some discussion as to how this commit
tee should perform their duties, Pres.
Vinton said that he had been approached
by several with the fear that Sthere were
some present who would vote who had
no right to. He thought there was
honesty enough in the members not to
warrant any such fear. There was more
dicussion and Abner Smith Of Deerina
| aid that they had no credentials. There
We're others to vote as they had a right te
do. He voiced his disapI ROYAL of the sus
pici on indicated by the IN otion for the
committee.
| Col. Mlllett said that he didn't intend
tosraise any question as to the methods o.
business of the meeting .buts,he swasssnoM
called upon to say that parties had beer
admitted to the association who had paid
only $40 for membership when the
amount necessary is $40. In order to
PREVENT ANY SUCH FRACAS
as they had last year he wanted it seer
to that every member present and desir
ing to vote should be properly qualified.
Mr.. ]. f. Barrett Of Deering, jumped
up to speak. but Pres. Vinton requested
him. to wait as be was Gin this fight
and had something to say. He declared
that the least said about any of the OLD
transactions the better. But it was us
to the society to say that the trustees had
laid down rule to admit members who
paid $40 and gave guarantee TO pay the
other $40 when needed "Now that was
said to be very wicked and unconstitu
tional, we'll we went to the Supreme
court and had a careful hearing before
Judge Strout and Mr.. Leighton was de-
clared elected. After that Judge Strout
told me that that was fair compliance
with the constitution, now gentlemen,
| that matter
HAS BEEN JUDICIALLY SET1 LED.
Mr.. J. T. Barrett said it was decided al
the last meeting that they notify and
confirm the doings of the trustees. He
wanted to know if those ment (the $1(
ones) had Mt right to vote.
President Vinton said that Judge
Strout ruled that every man possessol
of a ticket, properly issued, had right
to the privileges of the society which iu
cluded the right to vote.
Trustee Carter of Scarboro. said thai
he hoped the
QUESTION WOULDN'T
be discussed. He had brought IN two mer
who paid $40 for their ticket and since
then they have come forward like mer