A BUILDING MEETING.

A mass meeting of life members of the Northern Fair Society, and others interested, was held Monday, at the council room. There was a large turn out and much enthusiasm awakened over the project of rebuilding the exposition building. Quite a number were present from out of town. Among those from abroad were George H. Daubner, of Brookfield, George Keyes, of Fond du Lac, Mr. McConnell, of Green Lake, Babcock, of Clayton, Chester Hazen, of Ladoga, A. A. Loper, of Ripon, D. Huntley, of Appleton, R. N. Roberts, of Waupaca, and a number of the immediate vicinity of Oshkosh. Chester Hazen, president of the association, took the chair and called the meeting to order, and stated the object of the meeting, which was to consider the project of rebuilding the exposition building.

L. M. Miller asked to know the number of life members of the association. Secretary Torrey replied that the enumeration ran up to 264, but three of this number were dead and a few moved away. Mr. Miller said he had been thinking that inasmuch as the Stock Growers' Association owned the fair grounds, its members might increase the amount of their stock sufficiently to rebuild the building, with the aid of the $5,000 insurance money now on hand.

Mr. Torrey said that the members of the Stock Growers' Association were the largest subscribers to the building fund, and that the impression that had gone abroad that the fair society was erecting a valuable building, and turning it over to the stock growers as a gift, was a false and unjust one.

In answer to a question, Mr. Torrey stated that competent builders had estimated that it would cost $7,800 to replace the old building. Mr. Torrey also read the resolution passed by the executive board in the afternoon, appropriating the $5,000 insurance money toward the erection of a building, and recommending that life members subscribe $15 each to supply the balance necessary to erect a new building.

K. M. Hutchinson said the merchants and business men here who held stock in the building were as much interested as anybody, for that stock was valueless unless the building was rebuilt, and that to make it valuable they could afford to increase their stock from 25 to 50 per cent. He thought little could be accomplished at a

public meeting, but that a committee could work the thing better, as much depended on personal solicitation.

E. P. Finch moved that the secretary draw up a subscription paper for free contributions and pass among life members and others present for subscriptions. He himself would head it with $25. This resolution passed. Mr. Keyes, of Fond du Lac, suggested an assessment of $10 on all life members.

Mr. Finch said that would be a good thing if it could be made binding, but the constitution gave no authority for an assessment upon members. Mr. Hazen thought that life members ought to be willing to subscribe $10 each; for they only paid $10 for membership, whereas the fee now was $25, and even then this would make their fee less than that of new members. The building destroyed was the finest of the kind in the northwest and gave this society advantages over the state fair which its members should appreciate. A question was asked as to the amount of stock certificates on the building now out.

Mr. Torrey replied that the amount was $4,300, on which an interest of seven per cent. was guaranteed to be paid out of the receipts, the same as other expenses. Finch said these certificates of stock were no lien whatever on the building; they were only an agreement by the society to pay interest annually and pay the principal upon certain conditions. Neither were they a lien on a new building.

By this time the secretary had finished drawing up the subscription paper, making the amounts payable on May 1. While it was being circulated the discussion and suggestion went on.

W. B. Felker advocated the enlargement of the new building. It was to be built, not for the next year or two, but for years to come, and it would be economy to erect it plenty large enough on the start.

Hazen said the board would have to be controlled by the amount raised.

Torrey said many opinions were prevalent regarding the size of the new building. Almost everybody thought it should be at least fifteen feet wider and the machinery department taken out of it, either into an open shed, if one could be built next the building, or else placed in the open field. Some suggested a veranda along the entire west side of the tract to accommodate ladies and children, and others who wanted to view the sights of the track.

J. V. Jores offered a suggestion to the effect that if a contract was let immediately for the new building it would save $500, as it would give the contractor a long time to complete it in, and they could work on it fair days this winter and spring before the summer rush of work came on. Besides the assortment of lumber on hand now was greater than it would be by April next, after which certain kinds of timber would be scarce, and it would cost more to get it.

Messrs. Finch, Robert Campbell and others heartily indorsed the suggestion of Mr. Jones, and hoped the executive board would profit by the suggestion.

Finch moved to make subscriptions payable April 1, instead of May 1, in pursuance to this suggestion of Mr. Jones. The motion was carried.

Felker thought that if the building was made twenty feet wider than the old one it would make the second story available, whereas before it was virtually useless. This suggestion also received favor.

By this time the subscription paper had been around the room and the secretary announced that the amount subscribed was $590.

Finch moved that the secretary be instructed to present this subscription paper not only to life members but also to everybody else, not only in Oshkosh but in other places, where an interest was taken in the fair. Oshkosh had two congressmen and one expectant United States senator, all of whom would be anxious to subscribe liberally. The motion prevailed. Mr. Torrey stated that he would make it his business during January to make a thorough canvass for subscriptions.

Some discussion took place on the amount which ought to be expended in a new building, and considering the enlargement and improvements suggested, it was the general opinion that at least $5,000 ought to be raised in addition to the insurance money, putting it all (about $10,000) into the building, and as much more as could be raised.

J. V. Jones offered a resolution that this winter an appropriation to this fair be asked for from the legislature equal to that asked for by the State Fair, whatever that might be. The resolution prevailed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

The secretary announced that the annual agricultural and industrial convention of the society had been located this year at Green Bay, to be held on the 18th and 19th of the present month. One of the interesting papers to be read on that occasion was one on the horse by Rev. H. Stone Richardson. He explained that Mr. Richardson was an able writer on the horse; he once wrote a prize article for a sporting paper, in which the price of a horse was to be given to the writer of the best paper on that subject, and Mr. Richardson got the horse.

Mr. Huntley said Mr. Richardson was not only an eloquent man in the pulpit, but he was the best writer on the horse that he had ever listened to. Mr. Huntley further announced that another of the papers to be read at that convention was one by our worthy secretary, Mr. Torrey, on "What I know about Fairs," which would pay any one to go to Green Bay to hear.

The meeting here adjourned.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NORTHERN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The society met, pursuant to the constitution, with a good attendance.

The meeting was called to order by President Hazen. The object of the meeting being stated, its pleasure was awaited.

Mr. Jones moved to elect a president; seconded by Mr. Felker.
Mr. Finch asked how it was proposed to elect.

Mr. Jones "In the manner directed by the constitution."
Constitutions were immediately distributed.

It was moved and seconded to appoint a committee on credentials. Carried.

Considerable discussion was occasioned on the order of previous motions, the result of which was a motion to reconsider. Carried. A motion then prevailed that the chair appoint a committee of three on credentials. Carried.

The chair appointed Messrs. Osborn, Hay and Finch.

The chair stated that each agricultural and horticultural society was entitled to three delegates, having one vote each.

2-N. W. A. & M. A.

Committee reported as delegates:

Calumet: C. G. Cone, W. H. Cook, C. W. Thurston.

Winnebago: Edgar Stilson, John O'Brien, James Brainerd.
Grand Chute: A. Stone, D. Huntley, H. M. Jones.

Oshkosh Stock Growers appointed Mr. S. M. Hay with three

votes.

It was moved to adopt the report.

Mr. Felker asked who were to be regarded as agricultural societies. He objected to what he termed defunct organizations, and quoted the Winnebago County Society. This remark caused some denying of the soft impeachment.

The report was adopted.

It was then moved to elect a president. Carried.

It was moved that the chair have the roll of members called and tellers appointed. Carried.

Messrs. Brainerd and Huntley were appointed tellers.

Mr. Felker moved that the secretary be instructed by the members of the society to cast the vote of the society for President Hazen.

Mr. Finch objected.

Motion was withdrawn.

Roll called. Result of vote was as follows:

Whole number of votes cast, 82, out of which Mr. Hazen received 81; A. A. Loper 1.

Mr. Hazen was declared elected. With a few remarks Mr. Hazen accepted.

It was moved to accept eight vice presidents. Motion withdrawn.

Mr. Finch asked to submit a resolution to amend the constitution. The secretary then read the resolution, which favored the amendment of article 4 of the constitution so that it should read as follows: "The officers of the association shall consist of a president, secretary and treasurer, and eight vice presidents, who shall hold their respective offices for one year from the first day of the date of January next succeeding their election, and until their successors shall have been elected, and all of whom shall constitute an executive board."

Minor changes were made to agree with the amendment.

Mr. Felker moved to amend the constitution as directed by the resolution. Carried.