SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD. 17 



niittee, to take place at such time as the committee may choose to fill 

 the vacancy. Having accepted a more lucrative position, it will be 

 necessary to sever my connection with the office by the 1st of September 

 next. It is a source of profound gratitude, for which I shall always be 

 deeply thankful, that, during my long occupancy of the office, I have 

 always had the cordial and hearty co-operation of the members of the 

 Board and of the public, and I shall never cease to recognize my in- 

 debtedness to you and to them. 



With the highest respect and consideration, 



I am very truly your obedient servant, 



CuARLKS L. Flint, Secretary. 



On motion of Mr. Hadwen the resignation was accepted. 

 Col. Wilder then offered the following resolntions : — 



"Resolved, That in accepting the resignation of the Hon. Charles L. 

 Flint, secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture for the 

 last twenty years or more, w-e tender him our most grateful acknowledg- 

 ments for his long and eminently valuable services, contributing largely 

 as they have to elevate this department to its present distinguished 

 position among the kindred institutions of our country. 



" Resolced, That, although he now retires from the office which he has 

 so satisfactorily and so honorably filled, we earnestly desire and hope 

 that his life of usefulness may be prolonged for many years to come, 

 and that we may still have the benefit of his counsel and sympathy in 

 our cause, assuring him, that, in the future as in the past, he will be 

 remembei-ed as among the benefactors of our Commonwealth. 



"Resolved, That these resolutions be entered on the records of the 

 Board, and that a copy of the same be presented by the chairman to 

 ]Mr. Flint." 



The resolutions were advocated by Mr. Grinnell, who 

 moved their adoption, and by Dr. Lynde, Mr. Ware, Mr. 

 Moore, Mr. Hersey, Mr. Hadwen, and Mr. Slade, when they 

 were unanimously adopted by a rising vote. 



It was then voted to proceed to ballot for a secretary to 

 fill the vacancy made by the resignation of Mr. Flint. 



John E. Russell of Leicester having received a majority 

 of the ballots, it was voted that his election be declared 

 unanimous. 



Voted, That the secretary of the Board be elected an- 

 nually, at the meeting in February ; the term of service to 

 be for one year, beginning with the 1st of July following 

 the election. 



The Board then adjourned. 



