WOOL GROWERS' ASSOCIATION. 421 



try, in all its length and breadth, and lience no change can be safely made at this 

 time. 



Resolved^ That an examination of the liistory of the wool inannfactnres of the 

 United States shows tliat tlie disastrons periods liave been the resnlt of the non-exis- 

 tence of satisfactory la\v> in relation to the introduction of wools and woolens from 

 foreign countries, by wliich they liave been allowed the enjoyment of our unequaled 

 markets without restriction, and have thus embarrassed and weakened our own home 

 manufactures, rendered capital employed by them unremunerative, and diminished 

 the working field of the operatives; hence it is evide?it a change reducing the tariff 

 on wools would create another of tiiose periods to be avoided by all sagacious and 

 honest statesmen, as well as by the wliole country. 



Eesolved, Tiiat we not only believe, but know, i3y the results of the present law in 

 relation to wools and woolens, that the best interests of the country, financially and 

 commercially, will be promoted to the greatest possible extent by allowing the law 

 as at present on the statute book to remain unchanged and unaltered. 



Sesolved, That our Senators and Representatives be and hereby are requested to 

 lay the foregoing preamble and resolutions before both Houses, and especially before 

 the Committee of Waj's and Means of the House of Representatives. 



The reading of the resolutions was listened to with undivided attention and 

 interest, and they were adopted with the entire concurrence of tlio meeting. 



On motion the members of the convention proceeded to the election of offi- 

 cers for the year 1878, and to hold office till the next annual meeting, five of 

 the executive board being chosen for one year, and live for the regular term of 

 two years. 



LIST OF OFFICERS. 



President — William Ball. Hamburg. 



Vice President — C. A. Miller, Marengo. 



Secretary — R. F. .fohnstone, Detroit. 



Treasurer — D. P. Dewey, Grand Blanc. 



Members of Executive Committee for tioo years — I. S. Wood, Saline; W.E.Kennedy, 

 Liberty; J. T. Rich, Elba; C. E. Southwell, Marengo; E. Rurlingame, Byron. 



Members of the Executive Committee for one year — A. D. Taylor, Armada; J.X. Smith, 

 Bath; W. A. Drj'er, Lansing; L. Cate, Highland; A. M. Willetts, Muir. 



STANDING COMMITTEES. 



On Finance— 1. S. Wood, W. E. Kennedy, J. T. Rich. 

 On Pules — The President, Secretary and Treasurer. 



The President, upon his election to office, made an appropriate address, 

 remarking upon the growing importance and magnitude of the slieep interest 

 in Michigan. 



The committee on resolutions reported as follows : 



Whereas, The American Merino sheep being a legitimate outgrowth of the Span- 

 ish Merino, with pedigree tracing back prior to the importations of 1814, therefore 

 resolved, 



1st, That we do adopt the cognomen of American Merino as including none but 

 those of pure Spanish origin. 



2d, That this Association establish a sheep register as soon as possible. 



3d, That this Association recommend that the State Agricultural Societj'' be 

 requested to offer premiums on three classes of fine wool sheep: first, on American 

 Merinos bred for weight and quality of fleece; second, for Delaine Merinos bred for 

 length of staple; third, on Merina grade ewes; also a sweepstakes premium on such 

 rams in American Merino class, tlnee years old and over, with not less than five of 

 his get. We also recommend that the Executive Committee of the Association be 

 permitted to suggest names for the viewing committee on the same. 



4th, That the Society discard the practice of sheep-washing. 



5tli, We would suggest discussion of the proper time for sheep shearing. 



STATE REGISTER. 



The subject of a State llegister was quite fully discussed, and it was urged 

 that sucli a register was as important for sheep as for cattle and horses, and that 



