Morris tribune., 1912-01-26
WHO OWNS THE FAIR.
An Old Society Which All May
Join.

SOCASLJ uSiO IdSlE dtlIludl IASSIlLS IdSl
Saturday The publicity committee
submits the following account of |
the meeting:- =
A regular annual meeting of the ,
Setvens County Agricultural Society
was held at the Armory on Saturday
afternoon. Jan. Goth, beginning at
2:30 p. m. D. H. Lawler, the pre-
sident, presided. The attendance was
large, and unusual interest was shown
which was very gratifying to the |
officers, as all feel that the Society is |
truly a society of and for the people |
of this county, and that it is entering |
upon new era of advancement and
usefulness.
The reports of the treasurer and
secretary were presented, and ordered
filed. An Auditing Committee con-
sisting of C. B. Randall, VIM. Gaus-
man and N. Vinje, was appointed by
the president. to check and audit the
books of the treasurer.
The matter of the collection of
funds for the erection of the Educa-
tional Building was discussed. The
treasurer reported that he has on hand
the sum of $500. 90 which has been
collected from the schools and school
children. This money has been de-
posted upon a certificate of deposit
and draws interest. It appeared from
remarks made. that at least the sum
of $500. 90 more is needed to erect
such building. Upon motion duly
made and carried, Supt. Roberts and
Prof. Ingalls, were appointed COM
mittee to continue the solicitation of
funds from the schools and school
children for this fund, and those pre-
sent expressed themselves as heartily
in favor of the project.
JOS Sauter raised the question,
"Who owns the fair grounds, and
what is the Stevens County Agricul
tural Society,"" He stated that it
had been reported to him, and that
many farmers were of the opinion,
that the grounds. buildings and i'm
provements all belonged to small
group of men, or holding corporation
and that these men could at
any time claim the title to-
them. He stated that that was
not his understanding of the matter,
but he merely asked the question for
information, and in order to learn the
real truth about this and in order
that the people generally might learn
the truth. Several others present re-
ported that they had heard similar
remarks. The secretary was called
upon to read the Constitution and By
Laws of the Stevens County Agricul-
turaI Society which he did. 1t appears
that this society is one of the oldest
organizations in the county, having
been organized in 1872. It was Or
ganized under the state laws for the
sole purpose of holding county fairs
and exhibits. It has no capital stock
and members are merely members
and not stock holders. The secretary
also reported that the deed to the
lands runs to The Stevens County
Agricultural Society, and this society
is now the owner of the lands, and
all buildings and improvements. Mr..
Sauter said he was glad to get this
information, and others expressed
themselves in the same way. Mr.. E.
]. Jones stated that since there ap-
pears to be misunderstanding among
some people as to what this society
really is. he believed that it would be
advisable to have the constitution and
bylaws published, and he therefore
moved "That the secreatry be request
ed to publish. in our papers of this
county, the constitution and bylaws
of the Stevens County Agricultural
Society, together with such additional
information relative to it's legal
status. membership, and property
which it owns. as the secretary might
have: and also that the secretary
cause to be published full list of
the members of the society, with the
request that every member whose
name is not included in this published
list, so notify the secretary in order
that the list may be made complete. +"
This motion having been duly second
ed, was put to vote and unanimously
carried.
Mr.. T. H. Mcguire spoke upon the
necessity of offering larger premiums
in the cattle and horse departments,
but stated that owing to the small
financial aid received by the society
from the state and county. he realized
that the premiums could not be ad-
vanced without danger of financial
ruin. He spoke of the uncertainty
OF the matter. and the worry to the