REPORT OF THE ST. JOSEPH COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. In pursuance of public notice, a meeting was held at the Court House Hall, on Tuesday, the 27th day of November, 1849, for the purpose of forming an Agricultural Society. Whereupon, Mark H. Wakeman was chosen Chairman, and J. E. Johnson and H. K. Farrand Secretaries. And on further motion, Moses Taft and H. M. Vesey were chosen Vice Presidents. On inquiry being made for some form or draft of a suitable constitution for an Agricultural Society, Mr. Geo. Talbot submitted a draft which he had carefully prepared. On motion of C. Gurney, Esq., a committee of three was appointed to prepare and report a draft of a constitution. George Talbot, Nathan Osborn and S. C. Coffinberry were appointed said committee, to whom said paper was referred. The committee after consultation reported to the meeting a draft of a constitution, whereupon the report was accepted and the committee discharged. The constitution reported by the committee was in substance the paper presented by George Talbot, which after being acted upon and amended was unanimously adopted. The meeting then proceeded to sign the constitution, after which officers were elected by such signers, to serve till the time fixed by the constitution for the annual meeting. The following were the officers chosen : Vice President-Nathan Osborn. Recording Secretary-J. E. Johnson. Managers-Levi Patchen, H. R. Farrand, J. A. Thompson, Moses Taft and H. M. Vesey. The meeting then adjourned. H. K. FARRAND, J. E. JOHNSON, Secretaries. M. H. WAKEMAN, Chairman. CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE 1. This society shall be called the St. Joseph County Agricultural Society. Art. 2. Any person may become a member of this society by paying into the treasury one Dollar, and one Dollar shall be paid annually thereafter while such person shall continue a member; but any person paying ten Dollars on admission shall be a life member. Art. 3. The officers of this society shall be a President, a Vice President, Treasurer, a Recording and Corresponding Secretary, and five managers, who shall together constitute the executive committee; they shall be elected annually by a majority of voters present, and shall have power to fill vacancies in their own body. A majority of the executive committee shall constitute a quorum. Art. 4. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all meetings of the society and of the executive committee, and to call special meetings of the committee when necessary. Art. 5. It shall be the duty of the executive committee to exercise a general supervision over the affairs of the society, to appropriate the funds of the same in such manner as shall best subserve the interests and forward the objects of the society, to offer premiums, to appoint committees to award them, and to distribute seeds, plants, books &c., received for the society. They shall report their proceedings at the annual meeting. Art. 6. The executive committee shall determine the time and place and make the necessary preparations for an annual fair, and give sufficient notice of the premiums to be awarded thereat. Art. 7. All competitors for premiums must be members of the society. Art. 8. The annual meeting shall be held on the second Tuesday of April in each year. Art. 9. This constitution may be altered or amended at any annual meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. Art. 10. The society may at any regular meeting make by-laws for the government thereof not inconsistent with this constitution. At the annual meeting of the St. Joseph County Agricultural Society, held at the Court House Hall, in the village of Centreville, on Tuesday, April 9, 1850, the following officers were duly elected: President-M. H. Wakeman. Vice President-Nathan Osborn. Treasurer-S. Chipman. Cor. Secretary--George Talbot. Recording Secretary-J. E. Johnson. Levi Patchin, H. K. Farrand, J. A. Thompson, Moses Taft and H. M. Vesey were re-elected managers. On motion, a committee of three was appointed to draft by-laws for the government of the society. S. C. Coffinberry, Geo. Talbot and H. K. Farrand were appointed said committee. The society then adjourned to the 28th May next, at the same place. W. H. WAKEMAN, President. J. E. JOHNSON, Secy. CENTREVILLE, May 28, 1850. The St. Joseph county Agricultural Society met pursuant to adjournment, and in the absence of the regular officers, H. M. Vesey was called to the chair, and S. Chipman appointed Secretary. S. C. Coffinberry, chairman of the committee appointed at the last meeting to draft by-laws, made a report, which was read and accepted, and on motion, was laid upon the table. On motion, the Society adjourned to the 8th of June next, at the same place. S. CHIPMAN, Secretary pro tem. H. M. VESEY, President pro tem. June 8, 1850. Society met pursuant to adjournment; present, M. H. Wakeman, President, and J. E. Johnson, Secretary. On motion, the Society adjourned to the 29th inst., at the same place. J. E. JOHNSON, Secretary. M. H. WAKEMAN, President. June 29, 1850. The St. Joseph county Agricultural Society met pursuant to adjournment. The report of the committee on by-laws, which was received, read and laid upon the table at the last meeting, was taken up, discussed and adopted, as follows: To the President, officers and members, of the St. Joseph Co. Ag'l Soc.: The undersigned, committee appointed for the purpose of drafting by-laws for the better government of this Society, have had that subject under consideration and respectfully submit the following report, and recommend the adoption of the following by-laws: BY-LAWS, For the government of the St. Joseph county Agricultural Society. ARTICLE I. Sec. 1. Ten days notice shall be given by the Recording Secretary of every annual meeting, by publishing notice thereof in such manner as the Society shall direct. Sec. 2. Ten members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. ARTICLE II. Sec. 1. The following standing committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee, at their first meeting for the present year, and at any annual meeting for the election of officers, after the pres ent year: 1st. A committee on farms, field crops, and agricultural labor; 2d. Committee on horses; 3d. Committee on neat cattle; 4th. Committee on sheep; |