The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-12-23
TIE Old BOARD 70 RULE.
Failure to Form a New County
Agricultural Society.

Secretary william Ely Had Everything
HIS own Way Resolution That Action
at the Alton Meeting Be Approved Was
Sustained by Vote of ~ TO t5-state
Secretary is Criticised by the Morris
County Oficiai
It was q lively session that the
farmers had in the county hall
yesterday, when it was proposed
to organize new county board of
agriculture. The call for the
meeting was signed by six farm-
ers, and stated that a reorganiza-
ton had been ordered by the
state executive committee. About
fifty persons were present, and at
TO o'clock, William Ely, secretary
of the present county board sug-
gested that the meeting be called
to order. A. j. Casterline asked
that those present wait until the
arrival of Prof. Voorhees,, who
was to address the assemblage.
After waiting about a half hour
Mr.. Ely said he would call the
meeting to order himself if it was
necessary, but Mr.. Casterline dis
puted the secretary's authority to
do SO.
Mr.. Ely then asked permission
to explain the position Of the
present county board, and this
being granted, spoke at length,
and incidentally read the resolu-
ton adopted at Alton on Novem-
Der 26. He de6ed any one to
prove that new organization
had been ordered and said the
executive committee had no power
to so rule. The speaker held in
his hand copy Of the minutes of
the state board and remarked
that they we're padded, . and said
it was easy for the state secretary
to s'doctor these as he desired.
He said further, that Secretary
Dye had seen that minutes Of an
nual meetings were approved
without first being read.
Mr.. Ely said the state secretary
was not to be depended upon, and
paid number of similar compli-
ments that would have proved in
teresting had the latter been pres
ent.
After Mr.. Ely had concluded,
the meeting was called to order,
with +. w. Cutler as temporary
chairman and Mr.. Casterline sec
retary.
Mr.. Casterline related the ex-
perience OF a number of farmers
who attended the last county
board meeting at Alton, when
many were not permitted to vote,
although they were members of
the grange. Only those whose
names had been enrolled had a
voice in the meeting. The con-
tention of the persons SO disbar-
red was that the election of Off
GERS on that day was illegal and
they were privileged to form a
new board on authority of a letter
sent out by the state executive
committee. This ordered a reor-
ganizatlon where board already
existing had forfeited a claim to
recognition by misconduction of
its affairs.
Secretary Ely explained that
the farmers who were not allowed
to vote at Alton, had never been
members of the county board and
therefore, were entitled to no
voice in its meetings. The sec
retary was frequently interrupted,
but he always had a ready reply.
Once when told to sit down, he
reminded the person giving this
advice, that if he didn't "shut up
he would tell how some of those
present hadstole the grange at Par
sippany. A farmer retorted that
he never @knew they had anything
to steal.
Again Mr.. Ely raked the state
secretary over the Goals, and re-
marked significantly that that was
the kind Of man that proposed to
down the board at Alton, but he
would never do it as long as he
lived. A resolution was offered
by Mr. Ely that those present en-
aorse tha action of the county