THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



91 



obtained. And was this sufficient apology 

 for the abandonment of the Association ? 

 Had it been, througli its representatives, in 

 any sense, neglectful of the purposes of its 

 institution ? Are there any influences con- 

 trolling tliose who take part in its delibera- 

 tions, which will prove derogatory to the 

 interests of the bee-keepers of our country? 

 If not, why then should a question arise as 

 to the benefit of the Association '? Had we 

 not better pause in our reflections, and in 

 the end heed the admonition of Mr. Clarke, 

 (A. B. J., Vol. 12, page 83) where he says:— 

 "Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it?" 



While in attendance at the Centennial, 

 Mr. J. S. Coe and myself had frequent con- 

 versations on this subject, which linally led 

 to the potent remarks made by liim in the 

 convention of Oct. 3.5th, and which were 

 published in the A. B. J. And now, to en- 

 large upon the proposition of Mr. C, permit 

 me here to express the hope that the As- 

 sociation may be strengthened and main- 

 tained, as the head of our several State 

 organizations; that these State organiza- 

 tions be sustained by County Societies, and 

 that these again, in turn (whei'e the nature 

 of the case will permit) be assisted by town- 

 ship meetings; thus then can a direct chain 

 be kept up, and we at a distance (through 

 our representatives) can derive as much 

 benefit as though we had participated in 

 the deliberations of our National Associa- 

 tion. Upon such a system of operation, we 

 can see no reason why the Association can- 

 not be made permanent, and at the same 

 time productive of lasting good to our bee- 

 keeping fraternity. 



The main question to keep in view is: — 

 "Will it be conducive to the interests of 

 bee-keepers in general to sustain the Na- 

 tional Association?" whether upon the plan 

 suggested, or upon any one more practical, 

 which may be advocated. One point assert- 

 ed by Mr. C. in his remarks, we think, will 

 not be denied. And that is: "That the 

 questions of how to dispose of our honey, 

 belong to such bodies." And is this not of 

 itself, excuse sufiicient to insure the per- 

 petuity of a chief or controlling organi- 

 zation? We must admit that after all we 

 came down to the matter of dollars and 

 cents. Ot what use is our tous and gallons 

 of honey, provided we can find no market 

 for it? There maybe a few who follow 

 apiarian pursuits tor the pleasure connected 

 therewith, but the great majority of bee- 

 keepers have adopted the profession as a 

 source of pecuniary gain. We could give 

 many illustrations of this fact, but it is al- 

 ready well known to every careful reader of 

 the American Bee Journal. 



And then again, of how much advantage 

 is it to us to have the remarks and essays of 

 our leading and practical men, upon the 

 different points at issue between us; and 

 we here assert that from no other source 

 can we obtain such information so well as 

 from a gathering of prominent apiarists. 

 How then can we secure such results better 

 than by sustaining the National Associ- 

 ation ? 



There are scarcely any among us, I trust, 

 who assembled at our last Convention, who 

 will be willing to say: "I did not learn any- 

 thing to my advantage." 1 dare say that 

 there were none who did not leave wiser 

 than when they came. And is it not a 

 gratification to meet prominent apiarisi^s 

 and our bee-keeping friends generally? It 



is very much like the "harvest home" of our 

 farmers, or more like to the annual gather- 

 ing at our county fairs, to which we all look 

 forward with so much pleasure, and I hope, 

 with profit as well. 



Let us then increase our endeavors to 

 place the National Association upon a per- 

 manent and lasting basis. If not upon the 

 plan already suggested, why then let others 

 (more competent than we are) set forth 

 such propositions as will ensure success. 



Beaver, Pa., Jan. 9, 1877. B. 



For iTie American Bee Journal. 



The Constitution of the National. 



Friend Newman: — Having received 

 several letters asking for copies of the Con- 

 stitution and By-Laws of the National Bee- 

 Keepers' Society, and also knowing that 

 there was none at the last meeting at Phila- 

 delphia, and having but one copy on hand, 

 I copy that and forward to you With the re- 

 quest that you publish it. I have also gone 

 through all the subsequent meetings and 

 gleaned such resolutions as might possibly 

 be wished to refer to in future. 



Yours truly, Wm. J. Andrews, 



Pres. N. B. K. Society. 



C ONSTITUTION. 



article 1 — NAJIE. 



This organization shall be known as the 

 North American Bee-Keepers' Society, and 

 shall meet annually. 



articlp: 3 — object. 



Its objects sliall be to promote the inter- 

 ests of bee-culture. 



article 3— officers. 



The officers of this Society shall be a 

 President, one Vice-President from each 

 State', District, Territory or Province repre- 

 sented; Secretary, Recording Secretary, 

 Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer, 

 whose duties shall be those usually per- 

 formed by such officers. They shall be 

 elected by ballot, and hold their offices for 

 one year or until their successors shall be 

 elected. 



ARTICLE 4— executive COMMITTEE. 



The President, Secretaries and Treasurer 

 shall constitute an Executive Committee. 



ARTICLE 5— MEMBERSHIP. 



Any person may become a member by 

 giving his or her name to the Secretary ana 

 paying one dollar, excepting ladies, who 

 shall be admited free ot cliarge. 



ARTICLE fi— HONORARY MEMBERS. 



This Society may from time to time elect 

 suitable persons as honorary members. 



ARTICLE 7— SPEAKING. 



No member shall be entitled to the floor 

 more than five minutes in the discussion of 

 any motion, resolution or petition, without 

 consent of the Society. 



ARTICLE 8— COMMITTEES. 



All committees shall be elected by ballot, 

 by a plurality vote, except by special reso- 

 lution. 



ARTICLE 9— MEETINGS. 



Each annual meeting of this Society shall 

 be held at such time and place as shall be 

 designated by a majority vote at the pre- 

 ceeding regular annual meeting. 



