STATE AGRICULTURAT. HO(;iETY. 505 



an active member of the Committee on Gates, botli at Detroit and Jackson fairst 

 Admitted. 



3tl. I charge that these positions on tlie part of the Treasurer were liable to inis- 

 constniction, and liable to subject hlni to unfavorable criticism. At the same time 

 they are not incomi>atible with the strictest intej^rity. Admitted. 



4tli. I charge that in addition to the printing, selling and taking up of his admis- 

 sion tickets, that he had knowledge of the burning of the tickets taken at the last 

 Jackson fair, on the Monday succeeding the fair. Admitted. 



atli. 1 charge that these tickets so printed, sold and taken up and destroyed had 

 never been counted. Admitted only in part. 



In explanation of the two last specifications, it is stated and I believe it to be a 

 fact, that this was the nsual practice, and involves no malfeasance of any olHcer. 



Gentlemen — I find the following paragraph in the address of the President: 



'• During the week of the fair the duties of the treasurer of the Societj' are exceed- 

 ingly arduous, and greater than should be imposed upon any one man, ^Vy connec- 

 tion heretofore with the Business Committee has, I believe, given me op[)ortunities 

 to speak intelligently concerning this subject. I believe that our treasurer has hon- 

 estl}' and intelligentb' performed his duty. Some nnfavorable criticism was in- 

 didged in concerning him during our last fair, doubtless emanating from those who 

 ^\ere not aware of the real facts. But for the purpose of relieving him of a portion 

 of the labor heretofore cast upon him, and also for the purpose of furnishing more 

 effectual checks in the management of the financial business of the Society, 1 recom- 

 mend that the Finance Committee be instructed and empowered to take charge of 

 the gates and to appoint gate-keepers, and to attend to the collection and counting 

 of tlie tickets received at the gates, thus leaving the treasurer free to devote his 

 time to the supervision of the selling of tickets and the care of the funds." 



I most cheerfully and heartilj^ endorse this recommendation, ft is not my aim or 

 desire to attack individuals. It is the sj'Stem that is wrong and should be reformed. 

 By the system I mean the practice of allowing the treasurer to print^liis own tickets, 

 to sell them and to place the gate-keepers who take up the tickets. Such a system 

 is liable to abuse and all that 1 ask is that the system be changed. It would give 

 better satisfaction should the treasurer have nothing to do with printing the tickets 

 of admission or placing tlie gate-keepers. If the recommendation of tlie President 

 is carried out I think it will be satisfactory to all concerned. In regard to the De- 

 troit Fair, I did think tliat $33,000 and a little over was a small sum to be received 

 at the gate at 50 cents admission for adults. I saw that every avenue and tliat 

 every house and that the streets were crowded, and when I considered the population 

 of the citj' and State I was led to estimate the receipts at a higher figure. In mak- 

 ing this estimate some gentlemen connected with the Society as officers thought I 

 impugned their personal integrity. I had no such intention, and if thej' think so I 

 desire to withdraw any charges involving any officer of the Society relating to the 

 fair of 1878. I do not attack individuals. I attack the system which is liable to 

 abuse. 



STATEMENT RELATIVE TO THE NEWS ARTICLE. 



In relation to the article published in the daily "News" of September 21st, of which 

 the following is an extract: 



"Mr. J. P. Thompson, the outgoing secretary, says that very much more than 

 $35,000 ought to have been taken. He estimates that in the live days at least 120,000 

 people visited the fair, 90 per cent, of whom at least should have paid full rates. At 

 the smallest calculation $50,000 should have been gathered in. At Grand Rapids five 

 years ago, where the fair was not half as large as this week, the receipts were 

 $28,000." 



I think the reporter of the "News" was correct in his report of the interview. But 

 subsequent evidence has satisfied me that I was mistaken. The large number of 

 complimentaries accounts for several thousand people. The number of passes to 

 exhibitors and attendants was quite large. We are all liable to over-estimate 

 crowds of people. There was an immense fair, and the general impression was that 

 the receipts at the gates would amount to $40,000 — some put it as high as $50,000. 

 There seemed to be a general belief that there Avere at least 100,000 people at the 

 fair, and I was resting under the impression that the attendance was much larger 

 than at the Grand Rapids fair. Now if there is any ollicer of tlie fair who thinks 

 this statement in the "News" impugns his personal integrity, I desire to withdraw it. 



If Mr. Dean feels as if the statement impugns his honest}' and integrity, 1 desire 

 to withdraw it. I do not charge individuals with dishonesty, but the system I charge 

 with being liable to abuse. 



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