Lansing, February 6th, 9 o'clock A. M. The Executive Committee met pursuant to adjournment, but a quorum not being present it was adjourned to meet this P. M. at 3 o'clock. Lansing, February 6, 3 o'clock P. M. The Executive Committee of the State Agricultural Society met pursuant to adjournment, W. J. Baxter in the chair, and a quorum of the Executive Committee present. The committee of conference made the following report: Lansing, February 6, 1873. Act of consolidation of the Michigan State Agricultural Society and the Michigan Agricultural and Mechanical Society, unanimously adopted in joint committee of the two societies, and ratified at Lansing February 6, 1873. To the Executive Committee of the Michigan State Agricultural Society: President-George W. Griggs, of Grand Rapids. Treasurer A. J. Dean, of Adrian. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. J. M. Sterling Monroe, Monroe county; Chas. Kipp, St. Johns, Clinton county; G. W. Phillips. Romeo, Macomb county; Edwin Pheps, Pontiac, Oakland county; E. W. Rising, Richfield, Genesee county; Dennis Wolverton, Grand Blanc, Genesee county; C. W. Green, Farmington, Oakland county; N. L. Avery, Grand Rapids, Kent county; A. O. Hyde, Marshall, Calhoun county; S. A. Browne, Pentwater, Oceana county; F. M. Manning, Paw Paw, Van Buren county; C. L. Whitney, Muskegon, Muskegon county; J. P. Allison, East Saginaw, Saginaw county; Townsend North, Vassar, Tuscola county; H. O. Hanford, Plymouth, Wayne county; Abel Angel, Bradley, Allegan county; E. O. Humphrey, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo county; E. Van Valkenburgh, Hillsdale, Hillsdale county, John J. Bagley, Detroit, Wayne county; Wm. M. Ferry, Grand Haven, Ottawa county. Your joint committee would further recommend that the executive committee of the consolidated societies provide for a recognition of the life membere, and the payment of the indebtedness of the Michigan Agricultural and Mechanical Society. All of which is respectfully submitted by the unanimous action of the aforesaid joint committee. C. L. WHITNEY, Secretary of Joint Committee. W. G. BECKWITH, Chairman of Joint Committee. Subsequent to this action, Anderson Stout, Esq., of St. Johns, resigned his position as member of the joint committee. Mr. Edwin Phelps, on behalf of the conference committee of the Northern Michigan Agricultural and Mechanical Society, stated that the resignations of the officers of the Northern Society, of the members of its executive committee, were in the hands of its committee, and that the committee were clothed with full powers to act in the matters referred to the committee of conference of the two societies. Mr. W. J. Baxter tendered his resignation as President of the Society, which was accepted. On motion, the Executive Committee proceeded to the election of a President by ballot, which resulted in the unanimous election of Geo. W. Griggs of Kent, who was declared elected. On motion, a committee was appointed to notify him of his election, and to request his attendance upon the meeting of the Executive Committee. Dr. F. Pratt tendered his resignation as Secretary, which was accepted. On motion, Dr. F. Pratt was requested to act as Secretary pro tem. On motion, the Committee proceeded to elect by ballot a Secretary, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Dr. F. Pratt, which resulted in the unanimous election of C. F. Kimball of Oakland, who was therefore declared duly elected. The committee appointed to notify G. W. Griggs, Esq., of his election now returned and presented Mr. Griggs to the Committee as the President of the State Agricultural Society. Mr. Griggs made a few appropriate remarks, but declined for the present to take the chair, and requested Mr. Baxter to perform the duties of the position. The resignation of E. O. Humphrey as Treasurer was tendered and accepted, and on motion a ballot was had to fill the vacancy, which resulted in the unanimous election of A. J. Dean of Adrian, Lenawee county. The following named members of the Executive Committee then presented their resignations in person or in writing, and as presented they were severally accepted, and each vacancy as made was filled by the election of a new member of the committee, viz.: Resignations.-K. B. Smith; Judge Williams, Allegan; S. O. Knapp, Jackson; C. C. Comstock, Kent; J. C. Scranton; A. J. Dean; A. C. Fisk; H. H. Riley; John Gilbert; Myron Harris. Elections. Chas. Kipp, Clinton; Edwin Phelps, Oakland; D. Wolverton, Genesee; N. L. Avery, Kent; S. A. Browne, Oceana; C. S. Whitney, Muskegon; Townsend North, Tuscola; Abel Angel, Allegan; E. Van Valkenburg; Wm. M. Ferry, Ottawa. On motion, opportunity was given to citizens to address the Society on any subject of interest to it. Mayor Ortman of Saginaw, and Mr. Owen of the same city addressed the committee in reference to holding the next State Fair at Saginaw, pledging their citizens to furnish in grounds, track, buildings, and railroad facilities all that the State Agricultural Society may require. On motion, a vote of thanks was tendered to the gentlemen representing Saginaw and Grand Rapids, for their offers made to the Society. On motion, the Executive Committee adjourned, to meet at 7:30 P. M. Executive Committee met at State House at 7:30 P. M., Mr. Beckwith in the chair. Roll called by Secretary, and the following members of the Execu tive Committee answered to their names: Pres't Griggs, Sec'y Kimball, Treas. Dean, and Messrs. Phelps, Rising, Wolverton, Green, Hyde, Brown, Manning, Whitney, Allison, Hanford, Angel, Humphrey, Baxter, and Beckwith. Resolution by Mr. Baxter : Resolved, That hereafter, in calls for meetings of the Executive Committee of the Michigan State Agricultural Society, the Secretary be and he is hereby instructed to give the same notice of such meetings to ex-Presidents as to other members of the committee. On motion, adopted. The following are the names of ex-Presidents: Charles Dickey, Marshall, Mich.; James Bailey, Birmingham, Mich.; Geo. C. Munro, Jonesville, Mich.; Michael Shoemaker, Jackson, Mich.; Hezekiah G. Wells, Kalamazoo, Mich.; Walter G. Beckwith, Cassopolis, Mich.; Witter J. Baxter, Jonesville, Mich. Resolutions by Mr. Baxter: Resolved, 1st, That the thanks of this Board are due and hereby tendered to our late President [amended, on motion of Mr. Green, to read Presidents, and to insert Mr. Baxter's name], W. J. Beckwith and Witter J. Baxter, and late Secretary, R. F. Johnstone, and late Treasurer, E. D. Humphrey, for the ability, zeal, efficiency, and eminent services with which they have discharged the duties of their respective offices. Resolved, 2d, That the thanks of this Board are also due and hereby tendered to our late associates, Foster Pratt, John Gilbert, A. C. Fisk, S. S. Scranton, H. H. Riley, W. H. Williams, Myron Harris, J. O. Knapp, R. B. Smith, and C. C. Comstock, for the efficient aid they have rendered the Society, and for the unselfish devotion they have shown to the interests of the Society by their voluntary resignation as members of this Board, to enable the Executive Committee of this Society to effect a harmonious union with a kindred society, so as to combine all the agricultural, stock-breeding, mechanical, and industrial interests of the State in the support of the Society. Resolved, 3d, That the thanks of the Board are also due and are hereby tendered to the officers and members of the late Northern Michigan Agricultural and Mechanical Society for their magnanimity and their devotion to the great industrial interests of the State, manifested by consenting to unite with us in this Society, giving up an organization they have labored so earnestly to build up, and with such eminent success, for the purpose of more efficiently promoting the great interests which both Societies were organized to foster and advance. Resolved, 4th, That while our late associates have, for the time, at least, ceased to be members of our board, they have not ceased to be tried and valued members of our Society, and we believe we can confidently rely on their con tinued interest, aid, and presence at any and all meetings of our Board and Society, where their presence will ever be welcomed, and their counsel and advice thankfully received. The resolutions were ably supported by eloquent remarks from Messrs. Baxter and Green, and after adopting amendment voted in first resolution, unanimously adopted. Mr. Beckwith here resigned the chair, and President Griggs delivered his inaugural address, which, on motion of Mr. Baxter, was referred to a committee of three. The President appointed Messrs. Baxter, Brown, and Sterling. ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT GRIGGS BEFORE THE CONSOLIDATED Gentlemen of the Executive Board of the Michigan State Agricultural Society: Allow me to congratulate you upon the consolidation of the two great agricultural societies of the State. This union of the Michigan State Agricultural and the Michigan Agricultural and Mechanical Societies is alike honorable to each, and if a liberal and enterprising policy is pursued, is sure to result in great good to the agricultural, the mechanical, and the manufacturing interests of Michigan. A WORD PERSONAL. I shall, in what I have to say, avoid all reference tending to disturb the existing harmony. Let by-gones be by-gones. In brotherly love we will press forward to the duties and responsibilities of the future. At the same time I desire to say that my connection with the Northern Michigan Agricultural and Mechanical Society has been from the commencement actuated and governed by motives which I consider disinterested and strictly honorable. I say the same for all my colleagues in that Society. We sincerely and deeply feel that the State Agricultural Society had too long neglected all the immense section of territory lying north of the Michigan Central railroad, which has been growing since 1860 into prominence, in population, in agriculture, in wealth, in resources. It was to vindicate our own section of the State that we felt the necessity of establishing the Northern Michigan Agricultural and Mechanical Society. It was more in sorrow than in anger. It was from no feeling of hostility, but, I solemnly believe, only from a deep sense of duty to our portion of the State. Gentlemen in the southern portion of the State, under like circumstances, would have done the same thing. I reiterate the language of the Michigan Farmer when I say that the Northern Michigan Agricultural and Mechanical Society has done the State the greatest service by the enthusiastic energy with which it has shown that all this northern region, recently opened and still being opened to improvement, shall have its claims recognized. The occasion for the continuance of that society has happily, and I trust forever, ceased. We surrender our name, our association; and that flourishing, vigorous organization which was our pride and our hope will no longer be known among the institutions of the State. The sacrifice has been great, and let that vindicate our motives. So much I have considered necessary to say in regard to that young society. I have given it my best efforts. It is now a part of the State Agricultural Society, and as its President I pledge you renewed fidelity and devotion. A POLICY. A State society should have a State policy, and one embracing the whole State and every interest of that State. Michigan has a diversified industry, and all her industries should be encouraged. Her mines and lumber cover a large portion of territory. Her wool products now rank third among the States. Her stock interests are of growing importance. As a fruit State she is attracting attention from all directions. Her cereals and grasses and dairy products are of great value. These all demand the fostering care of a State society. Each should have a place, and be given the consideration which is their due. Let the people of Michigan understand this to be the policy of the society, and let them prepare to receive our State fairs. I do not believe it a sound financial policy for this society to own a rod of ground or a stick of timber. Let the local organizations own and prepare the necessary grounds and buildings. Let Lansing, Jackson, Detroit, Kalamazoo, East Saginaw, Adrian, and Grand Rapids own sufficient grounds and buildings to accommodate a State fair. The State Agricultural Society ought not to be obliged to expend one cent for such grounds and buildings. With such accommodations, these places will always be sure, with wise management, to secure good county exhibtions: and with such accommodations ready for it, the State society should move from place to place, dispensing its benefits all around the State. This policy, a few years ago, might not have been convenient or possible. The extension of our railroad system now makes it possible. Lansing to-day is a railroad center. So is Jackson, East Saginaw, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Adrian. Detroit is acknowledged to be the commercial emporium of the State, and for one I delight to commend her great progress in population and wealth. To hold a State fair, it is necessary to have the necessary railroads, hotels, facilities for transit of passengers and stock, and a people who will strive to provide the necessary accommodations for bed and board at reasonable prices. These guaranteed, I believe it the best policy to hold the fairs of the State society in different sections of the State, north, south, central, east, and west. RECOMMENDATIONS HERETOFORE MADE. Gentlemen, a few weeks ago, at this place, I had occasion, in an address, to make sundry recommendations. Though the society to which they were addressed is now consolidated, I take occasion to reiterate those recommendations. They relate to the extension of the time and duration of the annual fair; to the laws of the State in regard to agriculture; to the location of the next fair; to a national show of cattle, sheep, and swine in 1874; to the decline in wheat productions; the necessity of a State entomologist; State Agricultural College, and the National Centennial Exposition in 1876. They read as follows: EXTENDING THE DURATION OF THE FAIR. I would recommend to your consideration the propriety of holding an eight or nine days' fair for this year of 1873. Justice to the importers and breeders of thoroughbred cattle require it, as well as justice to other exhibitors. In a four or six days' fair the greater portion of the time is devoted to preparation. So little time is left that examinations are necessarily hurried by committeemen, and justice is not done to exhibitors, many of whom only seek advertisement by appearing at the fair. This is particularly the case with our cattle. |