Miscellaneous. 395 



bility of our State Society losing its appropriation at the next ses- 

 sion of the Legislature, because of the suspected illegality of our 

 articles of incorporation. This came to us directly, because of the 

 veto message of Gov. Folk to the State Poultry Association, which 

 had been incorporated similarly to our State Horticultural Society. 



Some time later I found, in consultation with Gov. Folk, that 

 he was in doubt as to our legal existence, and I then informed Pres- 

 ident Dutcher of this condition, and during the summer of 1906 we 

 made a visit to Jefferson City to consult the Governor about the 

 matter. 



He then reiterated his doubts as to the legality of our organi- 

 zation and the possibility of our losing our annual appropriation 

 unless we were legally organized, and advised us to organize in 

 something like the manner of the State Board of Agriculture, and 

 suggested that we get a legal opinion from some good attorney as 

 to our status. 



After this our Vice-President, Mr. Todd, had a personal inter- 

 view with the Governor, in which he stated that he was personally 

 a friend of the State Society and its work, and therefore would 

 dislike to see anything happen to interfere with our valuable work 

 in the State, and to Mr. Todd again suggested that we take steps 

 to legalize our existence if it was found in any way doubtful. 



At the winter meeting of the Society, held at Boonville, these 

 facts were fully explained to the Executive Committee, and the 

 President, Vice-President and Secretary were appointed a commit- 

 tee to act in this matter. 



This committee submitted a full statement of these facts to 

 Judge W. M. Williams of Boonville, and asked for a written legal 

 opinion of the status of our State Society under the laws of the 

 State, and our legal standing. 



That opinion was rendered December 24, 1906, and is given 

 herewith : 



Boonville, Mo., December 24, 1906. 

 . L. A. Goodman, Esq., Secretary Missouri State Horticultural So- 

 ciety, Kansas City, Mo.: 



Dear Sir — I inclose you herewith my opinion in reference to 

 the Missouri State Horticultural Society, as requested. 



Very truly, 



W. M. Williams. 



