39 



Finance Committee and Auditors — Ira Cleveland, Dedhani ; 

 Charles Hamant, Medfiekl ; E. S. Rand, Jr., Dedham. 



On takiiio; the chair, Mr. Eldridge made a brief but felicitous 

 speech, in which he expressed his heartfelt thanks for the honor 

 thus conferred upon him by the Society, and said that in look- 

 ing back over the past history of the Society, he found that his 

 first entrance into public life, in the county of Norfolk, was 

 through the late President of the Society, who introduced him 

 as the orator at one of the anniversaries. He expressed 

 his deep pleasure that so able a counsellor as Colonel Wilder was 

 still to remain in the management of the Society, for wherever 

 the name of American agriculture was known and spoken of, 

 the name of Wilder was connected with it. He was glad to 

 learn that the Society was in a prosperous condition, and he 

 would devote his best endeavors to its future success. 



At the conclusion of Mr. Eldridge's address, Mr. Wilder 

 spoke of the new era on which the Society had entered. He 

 believed the spirit of the first year was again in the Society, 

 and would make it as prominent and conspicuous in its future 

 years as it was in its commencement. The new President was 

 a man of large means, and his heart was as large as his wealth ; 

 from his election he augured the greatest possible success to the 

 Society, and hoped that it would continue to be in the future, as 

 it was in the past, one of the most distinguished in the State. 



The following Resolutions, offered by the Rev. C. C. Sewall, 

 of Medfiekl, were unanimously adopted by a rising vote : — 



Wher'eas, We, the members of the Norfolk Agricultural Society, 

 are deeply impressed with the conviction that, for the life and vigor, 

 the reputation and usefulness of this Society, Ave have been mainly 

 indebted to the wisdom and generosity, the executive ability and 

 indomitable perseverance of its presiding officer, from the date of 

 its organization ; and, whereas^ the time has now come, when, yield- 

 ing to the claims of his age, his health, and his personal freedom 

 from exliausting cares and labors, Ave must kindl)'^ accept his ])rof- 

 fered resignation of the office, and the honor of the President of 

 this Society: 



Therefore, Resolved, That, in accepting the resignation of our 

 highly esteemed, efficient and distinguished presiding officer, Ave cor- 

 dially extend to him our grateful acknoAAdedgments for his long and 



