476 STATE BOARD OF AGKICULTUKE 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE MICH- 

 IGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



FIRST DAY. 



Michigan Exchange, l 

 Detroit, January 13, 187f>. ) 



The regular annual meeting of the Executive Committee of the State Agri- 

 cultural Society was held at the Michigan Exchange, Detroit, on Monday 

 evening, January 13, 1879, President Humphrey in the Chair. 



The roll was called by the Secretary, and the following members answered 

 to their names: 



President Humphrey, Treasurer Dean, Secretary Thompson, and Messrs. Ancjel, 

 Burrington, Dewey, Ilanford, Howard, Manning, Smith, Webber, Wood, Ball. Cobb, 

 Fralick, Hyde, Kipp, Parsons, Phillips, Rising, Sterling, and ex-presidents M. Shoe- 

 maker, W. G. Beckwith, W. J. Baxter and E. O. Humphrey. 



The resignation of Wm. L. Webber as member of the Executive Committee 

 was presented and accepted. 



On motion of Mr. Hyde, AVm. M. Ferry, of Grand Haven, was elected to fill 

 vacancy. 



President Humphrey read his address and invited the President elect to the 

 Chair. 



THE ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT E. O. HL'MPlIREy. 



Gentlemen of the Executive Committee and members of the State Agricultural Society ; 



In retiring from the position of President of this organization, which it has been 

 my privilege to occupy for tlie past four years, I desire to say to you that it is w^ith 

 most sincere satisfaction that I review the history and progress of this society. It 

 has steadily and surely grown in its exhibit of animals and articles, in visitors, in 

 receipts and in interest and influence from year to year, until to-day I do not hesi- 

 tate to say that it is on equal footing with any State society on this continent, and 

 I hope and trust that this unprecedented success shall give such encouragement that 

 you will continue your eflbrts to the end, and build up this Society to a still higher 

 standard of excellence and usefulness. Tiie treasurer's report will show the Society 

 to be in good condition fuianciallj'. You have a handsome balance in the treasury, 

 and 1 hope you will endeavor to keep this surplus good and increase it. For on that 

 the society must rely greatly for its strengtii to encounter bad weather and an unsuc- 

 cessful fair, which will be likely to overtake you sooner or later. 



The question of locating the fair permanently has been discussed and recommended 

 by some. But it is very clear to my mind that it would be bad policy to do so. For 

 I fear should that be done it would be a damaging blow to the society. There would 

 unquestionably be societies organized in other parts of the State as district or oppo- 

 sition fairs, which would detract very materially from this society. It would then be 

 the society of the whole people no longer. Aiul I am thoroughly satisfied that the 

 only way to keep the people in all parts of the State interested in the State Fair is 

 to hold it in more than one locality. 



I will not attempt to make suggestions as to the future m.anagement of thelfair,. 

 but will leave that to my more able successor. 



Gentlemen of the committee, I take pleasure in being .able to say that during thes»- 



