MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 353 



This society was represented by Hon. Philo Parsons, J. M. Sterling, A. J. Dean, and 

 J. C. Sterling, who will make a full report of their proceedings, and from which this 

 society will undoubtedly receive some valuable information and suggestions. In their 

 published proceedings 1 notice several items which I recommend to your careful con- 

 sideration. "Such as stock sales at fairs. The best means to prevent our stalls and 

 pens being occupied by worthless or inferior animals. The policy of offering large 

 premiums for the exhibition of fat animals at our fairs. The best plan for issuing 

 exhibitors' tickets, and the propriety of adopting a plan of uniformity in the man- 

 ner of conducting our fairs." These are all questions of importance, and a wise dis- 

 position of them will largely enure to the continued and permanent success of our 

 society. 



PERMANENT LOCATION. 



The large amount of money actually lost to the society yearly, by its present 

 migratory system for holding our State Fairs, is certainly very expensive!and unsat- 

 isfactory, and should be changed. We have expended the large sum of §12,000 for 

 buildings and fixtures in addition to the buildings on the grounds, to get ready for 

 the last State Fair, and which have all been sold for $3,000; the best offer that could 

 be obtained. I can think of no better way than my recommendation of last winter, 

 that was if possible to make some satisfactor.y arrangement whereby the society may 

 have the necessary grounds and permanent buildings, to occupy in three or four dif- 

 ferent localities in the State, which may be erected jointly by the State Society and 

 the locality to be occupied by the State Fair one or two years at a time in each place. 

 Such an agreement, wisely made and carried out, would, in my judgment, settle the 

 question of locality, which is always a perplexing one, save a large amount of annual 

 expenditure and trouble to the State Society, and also enable each of said localities 

 with the help of the State Society to erect permanent buildings. Eacii of the towns 

 would be in competition with the others, to have the best buildings not only as a con- 

 venience to the State Society but a pride to the locality. With such an arrangement 

 the difficult and many times unpleasant question of the location of the State Fair, 

 annually, can easily be satisfactory adjusted and settled. With that accomplished I 

 shall feel that the society has finally solved the problem that has troubled it for many 

 years. After proper grounds are obtained, and the permanent buildings erected in 

 each selected locality, it will be a great saving of expense yearly and relief to the 

 committee, and I trust a permanent benefit to the society. 



I tender you, gentlemen, my sincere thanks for your efficient and cordial support 

 in all my efforts to administer the affairs df the society for its true and best interests 

 during my term in office, and for the zeal and promptness with which you have 

 performed all the arduous duties assigned to you as officers and members of this 

 society, and trust that your session will be pleasant and harmonious, and that your 

 labors will result in the continuous and advancing prosperity of the society. 



INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT PHILO PARSONS. 



Gentlemen of the Executive Committee of the State AcjricuUural Society: 



I have great pleasure in acknowledging the courtesy tendered me In an election as 

 your presiding officer for the year 1884. It is a mark of confidence and respect most 

 gratefully and highly appreciated. The position is an honorable one, and worthy 

 the ambition of any citizen. My only regret is that I shall bring to the discharge 

 of my duties so little real practical knowledge of the great interests we are seeking 

 so earnestly and successfully to develop and promote, or so little parliamentary 

 experience. I must therefore ask your kind forbearance, with the assurance that you 

 shall have my impartial service in every direction that will further the prosperity 

 of the great institution vvliich has become so endeared to the hearts of the people, 

 and is so manifestly and widely influencing for good all the industrial pursuits and 

 enterprises of this great State. I congratulate you, gentlemen, on the very success- 

 ful fair of 1883, not more on the results secured, than on the manner of their 

 attainment. It was a model in its perfect harmony and freedom from unpleasant 

 friction in all departments, affording conclusive proof of wisdom in the selection of 

 superintendents and judges, and of their general fairness in the discharge of the dif- 

 ficult and responsible duties devolving on them. The best evidence of their fidelity 

 to the principles underlying our organization, is made apparent by tlie absence 

 of serious complaint from exhibitors, arrangements for whose accommodations 

 were as nearly perfect as possible on grounds of a temporary character. The business 

 committee was untiring in its efforts to meet every reasonable expressed want, even 



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