120 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
society on behalf of the people of Owatonna. Now, when we 
first came here there was a sortof chilliness about this room 
so far as our people were concerned, that I do not think exists 
now. Now, that might have been due partially to our people 
judging of you by your representative who lives here. Now, 
you know and so do they, that I am liable to get on people’s 
corns unintentionally, but I claim, that as a rule, I get on the 
corns of those people that have large feet, and large corns 
too. (Laughter.) Then, too, the chilliness was partially due 
to the grippe. Many of our people had the grippe, or per- 
haps I should say that the grippe had many of our people. 
You know that the grippe and the cold weather make a very 
bad combination. But I think there has been an improve- 
ment since then. The people have become more acquainted 
with you and they like you. They do not judge you by your 
representative. They think you are better, in fact, they know 
you are better. In case you should ever come this way again, 
I promise you we will do better by you. Years ago I used to 
invite your society to come here, and I used to say ‘‘We will 
do as well by you as any town in the state, except Minneapo- 
lis.” I could not say that we would quite equal that city. 
Last winter I said ‘‘We will do as well by you as any town in 
the state, Minneapolis not excepted.” Now, I will say to you, 
that with the new court house that we are building if you come 
this way again we will do better by you than any town in the > 
state. (Applause,) When you get out in the cold world and 
want friends, come right back to Owatonna. (Great applause.) 
I want to add one word more. I want to invite every member 
of this society to call on me whenever you come around to 
Owatonna. If you will send me word I will come down to the 
depot and meet you, and you must come and stay with me. I 
will show you the town and point out the best chances for in- 
vestment, if you want to invest. (Laughter and applause. ) 
Mr. Keel: I move that we extend a vote of thanks to 
Brother Dartt for all that he has done for us. 
The motion was duly seconded and carried by a rising vote. 
On motion, the society then adjourned sine die. 
