The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-22
Mr. HOLT EXPLAINS
Why He Could Not Accept the
State Fair Presidency.
But He Promises All the Aid He Can Possibly
Give to the Fair Manage
mint.

To the Editor Rightly approaching
the honor conferred upon me by the men,
bers of the North Carolina Agricultural
Society, by electing me to the presidency
of the Association at their last annual
meeting, | beg that you will kindly give
space in your valuable columns to this
expression of my thanks and appreciation
of the honor conferred and the assur-
ance to all who may be interested, that
my decision as to accepting the presi
dency of the Association was reached
after long and most earnest considera-
ton.
think that the North Carolina Agri-
cultural Society should be the pride of
every true North Carolnian l know that
it has an unlimited number of friends
among the best and busiest people in
the State, none of whom wish it greater
success or will join more heartily in an
humble way in bringing success about
than this writer. That my election to
the position and the honor conferred was
sincere and earnest on the part of my
friends and those having the very best
interest of the society at heart. l take
for granted | rejoice most heartily in
association. My best wishes have always
been with it and shall remain with it.
SIN duly appreciative of the earnest and
Elective work that has hitherto been
done, and will continue to be done by
the enterprising members of the Execu-
tive Committee, and especially by it's
energetic Secretary Mr. Pogue, and by
it's earnest and capable Assistant Secre-
tary and Treasurer, Capt. benson.
1t would have been a pleasure to me to
have worked with the committee. and
with those officials in maintaining the
exalted position to which this association
has assembled and to have aided in re-
establishing that wholesome and health
full annual gathering of the States best
people, together at the approaching
State Fair, had it been convenient or
even possible, for me to have done so
without serious detriment to other in
ItereSts. | would have regarded it a
special honor to have filled the position
so honorably filled by my lamented
brother, Thomas NJ Holt but have al
ways banished any political or public
aspirations, proferring at all times to
lend such interest, as | might possess, in
quiet way, and this | still desire and
intend to do, so my friends and the
friends of the Association may rely on me
for whatever ] can do to extend the in
tercst of the Association and to build up
the Fair
| have varied and extensive private
business interest; am farmer manu-
facturer and merchant, and those who
follow all or either of these avocatons
know that success in either or all de-
Ponds not only on the wisdom but on the
undivided energy of it's management. and
the manufacturer who is making a profit
today, in view of the stagnant market
upon us, is one who is applying himself
most assiduously to the task of studying
the market, the demands of tne trade
and the best and most economical meth
DDS of meeting and supplying these de-
mands, and he does not have the time to
spend in meeting other issues that at
tract his attention from business so
eXacting and upon the success of which
depends his ability to provide for re-
sponsbiltics incurred upon him.
In the next and last place. as is dem
onstrated by scars from Yankee bull
let's" 0 having been their target for
four long years. | am becoming advanced
in life and am subject to spells of i'll
health that might disqualify me at the
very time when ! was most needed. For
these reasons / was constrained to de-
cline the honor conferred, sincerely
thanking all those whose personal inter
est in the success of the association, and
whose confidence in me prompted them
in voluntarily rendering their support.
knew full well that there were many
honorable sons of the State perhaps
more capacitated, and certainly more
fifty situated than myself, some one of
whom might be induced to accept the po-
sition. heartily endorse the selection
of the Hon. j. A. Long of Roxboro. and
believe that by his exertions and good
Judgment aided by his competent and
worthy associates. great success awaits
the next State Fair
| thank my friends again and the
friends of the Agricultural Society. and |
wish to assure them that. as in the past.
! will hereafter never cease in striving
for a continuance of their good graces
and esteem.
Very truly,
l.. BANKS HOLT
Graham, y. c., Jan. 18th 1902