The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-27
Veteran Secretary of HOrti-
cultural Society Retires.
Makes Bitter Statement About
State Officers.
INTERFERE WITH HIM.
Also Refers to Silly Actions of
Reporters.
A Appropriation Unfairly Appor-
toned by Printing Board.

william H. Barnes, for the past twelve
years secretary of the State Horticul-
turai society, announced today that he
will not be a candidate for reelection
Mr. Barnes took the opportunity to
administer a piece of his mind to the
state officers and the newspapers who,
he says, have misused him. All this
was included in his annual report. He
says that the work which he has done
has not been appreciated. This is a
portion of what Mr.. Barnes read to the
society this morning:
The society labors under much en-
barrassment owing to the actions of
some of the state officers, clothed with a
little brief authority, and the silly ac-
tions of some newspapers reporters. The
state auditor, in his annual report, ad-
Vlsed that less amount of money be
appropriated for this department. And
the legislature clipped our appropriation
S1,8O0- The reporter aired his ignorance
as wisdom, and an appropriation already
passed one committee, and twice print
ed, for cleaning and furnishing these
rooms, was cut out. These people, ignor-
ing every opportunity to learn anything
about this department, yet feel the great
responsibility resting upon them and ab-
horlng the possible waste of state
money, they meddle with matters be-
yond their ability. The general appro-
priatiOn for printing has been appor-
toned by the printing committee in a
manner unfair and unjust to this depart
ment, and it looks as if we could not
get out a report even at the end of the
biennial period. This committee has
given US notice that we can use only
$500. Three thousand dollars will
scarcely do the work Therefore I ask
a n n this
matter during this meeting.
My present term expires June 80,
1907, eighteen months hence. If I
live I will then have given twelve
years of the prime of my life, with
thirty years previous experience to
this cause, and I hope that I am doing
no wrong, or Sinking any duty, when
L say that / have made up my mind
to have a little fun yets to e2ljoy con-
tact with mother earth again; to get
the good things of life not from the
groceryman; to rest under my own
vine and fig tree.
Therefore, I beg that you will not
consider my name in connection with
the Office of secretary OF this society
when the election at the fortieth an
nual comes next year.
I make this announcement at this
time so that you may consider the
matter well, as there will prObably
not be any meeting of the society till
1AAe1i. y u sSCA StaIy SHoutu De q
man of long practical experience, at
or past middle age. This is no boy S
job; and the greatest affront ever Of
fered it was when a considerable
number of directors lent their in
fuence and their ballots to a lad just
from college. Good habits and a
mild. generous. charitable disposition
are most valuable assets; yet he should
not be either rabbit, a pollywog or
a polecat."
Mr.. Barnes also figures it out in his
report that the total value of all the
trees in the state of Kansas is S11S,-
503.128.
The report of President Frank
HOlsinger was also presented to the
society this morning.