706 



AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL, 



Nov. 9, 1899'. 



such, it has been proposed to amalgamate them into one. 

 This is no doubt desirable, and I hope that it may be accom- 

 plisht, for one strong and united society is more potent 

 than a dozen weak ones. If all are disposed to be fair and 

 just, and treat the members of both organizations with due 

 consideration, I think the time has arrived when the "mar- 

 riage ■' may be consummated, and arrangements for the 

 "wedding feast" may safely be made. The "wooing" 

 may have been somewhat discouraging at tiroes, but that is 

 not' unusual. The courageous "suitor" often wins the 

 bride after many a repulse and several lovers' quarrels, and 

 this case may be no exception. 



As the presidents of both societies are to be present at 

 j'our meeting, they might agree upon the details for " the 

 marriage settlement," by selecting one of the constitutions 

 and bv-laws, including a name for the amalgamated or- 

 ganization, or arrange something entirely new, including 

 a nomination for officers — then upon both societies adopt- 

 ing such and electing the same officers, the uniting will 

 have been accomplisht without friction, and the new or- 

 ganization be ready to begin the new century, and soon be- 

 come a powerful factor in promoting the interests of api- 

 arists in America. 



PERSON.4L. 



As you are all aware, I have devoted many years of my 

 time and energies to the interests of the pursuit of apicul- 

 ture. What has been accomplisht is a matter of record. All 

 apicultural societies are alike near to my heart, and have 

 my best wishes for permanent success. Now, on account 

 of declining years, many business cares, and prolonged in- 

 dif.position, I desire to retire from active service, hoping to 

 have earned the respect and confidence of every apiarist. If 

 the snows of many winters have whitened my brow, a 

 blooming rose is at my heart, and an olive-branch in ray 

 hand. Yours fraternally, 



San Francisco, Calif. Thom.\s G. Newm.\n. 



Mr. Selser — I think the most practical discussion on 

 this subject is to get the modus operandi. 



Dr. Mason — Having been intimately connected with the 

 organization of the National Bee-Keepers' Union and of 

 the United States Bee-Keepers' Association, and knowing 

 all the hard things that have appeared in the bee-papers 

 about the amalgamation of the two organizations, I am 

 glad that the union of the two seems read}- for accomplish- 

 ment. 



Some, if not all of you, as well as the members of both 

 organizations who are not here, may be glad to know what 

 has been done towards bring^ing about this result, so I will, 

 in as brief a manner as possible, explain it. Some of you 

 know that at the meeting of the North American Bee-Keep- 

 ers' Society in Toronto, Canada, in 1895, measures were 

 adopted with a view to the amalgamation of that society 

 and the National Bee-Keepers' Union. A committee of 

 seven, with Thomas G. Newman as chairman, was ap- 

 pointed to mature some plan for such amalg-amation and 

 present it at the next meeting of the society. The commit- 

 tee failed to agree upon a plan, but a plan was prepared 

 and adopted at the meeting at Omaha, tho the National 

 Bee-Keepers' Union refused to adopt it. Since then re- 

 peated efforts have been made to secure the union of the 

 two organizations, but without success. 



In March last, in writing Mr. Thomas G. Newman. 

 General Manager of the National Bee-Keepers' Union, in 

 regard to preparing a paper for this convention, I suggested 

 the desirability of the union of the two organizations, and 

 that if he agreed with me as to its desirability, it would be 

 a nice thing for him and myself, as we had been leaders in 

 their organization, if we could evolve some plan for their 

 union and present it to this convention as a surprise, and 

 recommend its adoption by both organizations. 



In Mr. Newman's reply, of March 14, he wrote me in 

 part as follows : 



I am willing' to do all my strength will allow for the pursuit 



I am not now desirous of fame or hoaor^ — have had both to my heart's 

 cnnieiit, as you are aware. I am greatly interested in a thoro ortraniza- 

 tion for bee-keepers. That has been ray aim for many years. I hope it 

 may be accomplisht. even if I do not witness it. The National Bee-Keep- 

 ers' Union was an effort in that direction, and it has for 15 years been a 

 power for good— an apicultural rock oi defense. 



And then again on April 1 he wrote : 



Your cordial letter of March 22 came several days ago, and would 

 have been answered sooner, but I was unable lo do so 



Your explanation of the condition of things is quite satisfactory, and 

 I heartily wish that I could be present at the Philadelphia convention. I 

 know that I would enjoy it very much, for notwith- landing the many 

 harsh words that have cropt out during the past few years, I know that 

 great cordiality exi'.ts among bee-keepers, and that they appreciate l he 

 work done for the pursuit by the National Bee-Keepers' Union You 



are well aware that during the past 15 or 20 years I have often brougbc 

 this matter of organization among bee-keepers up before the conventions, 

 and advocated a thoro, representative organization, but the great dis- 

 tances in our country, and the many drawbacks, have prevented its ac- 

 complishment. Now we must take another tack and present it in another 

 way, to accomplish this purpose. I will endeavor to outline that way in 

 my paper, and will give you my best thoughts on the subiect. " Let by- 

 gones be bv-gones." We must grapple wiih the pulsating thought of 

 the PRESENT AGE. 



I wish you v^'ould kindly forward me a copy of your constitution and 

 by-laws as amended at your last meeting, so that I may carefully ex- 

 amine the same, and if I tind any desirable change can be made I will 

 mention the matter, so that it may be acted upon at the Philadelphia 

 convention. As you suggest, 1 will give my views to the convention on 

 amalgamation. 



And again on April 13 Mr. Newman wrote : 



Your letter of April 6 came duly, and its contents are noted. I ap- 

 preciate most fully its cordiality and general tone, and am glad to be able 

 to reciprocate the many expressions of affectionate remembrances when 

 we have workt together during the many years of the past. 



I accept the amendment of my subject, making it now " Organization 

 Among Bee-Keepers— If Desirable, Why and How Best Accomplisht," 

 and as soon as I can find time, and have sufficient energv tn put into it, I 

 will give the matter thoro study. Meanwhile, I am very glad to accept 

 your kind ofTer for "maturing the plan" for amalgama'ion. and to have 

 everything arranged in advance for the convention to act upon. 



I think that the constitution of th» United States' Association con- 

 tains all the essential features of the •' National " with some improve- 

 ments, and if you find it equal to the necessities of the case, let IT be 

 adopted. If you find any amendments desirable, let it be amended ac- 

 cordingly. All I would ask is the adoption of the name. "National Bee- 

 Keepers' Union," and would not ask that did I not think it desirable as 

 well as essential to success. Let the united wisdom of those present 

 determine everything else. We cannot afford to lose the prestige of the 

 "National" carried with its name. 



As to officers, efficient ones who will work are t'-'e only ones, 

 worthy of the honors. Let such be chosen for the amalgamated organi- 

 zation, and I will then arrange all the officers there selected as "a 

 ticket" to be voted upon at our annual election, and will advise our mem- 

 bers to vote it as a whole. 



As I will not be able to be present at the convention in body, you may 



counron my being there in spirit You are right in saying that it 



t.\kes time to mature any good plan, and as there are several months 

 to intervene, there will of course be time to do it right, and I know that 

 you will exercise great skill in the matter. You may count on my 

 hearty co-operation and assistance at all limes. 



Ajgain on Aug. 21 he wrote as follows : 



Your letter with copy of the program came to hand this mornit>g^ 

 just as I was about to mail to you mv paper for the convention, which 1 

 now enclose in this letter. The subject is a very important one, but I 

 have given only a few hints concerning the lines to be pursued to achieve 

 success, leaving it for the master minds who will be present at the con- 

 vention to fill in the details, and thus put flesh upon the skeleton that I 

 present. 



I should like to be present and assist in arranging the details, but as 

 that is impossible I must be cimtent. If all will work together for the 

 common good, and are willing to sacrifice some of their own feelings or 

 prejudices, considerable good will result. If there is a dispcsilion to be 

 fair and reasonable you may depend upon my working in harmony with 

 you and others to bring about the desired results. 



While I am sorry that you did not have time to prepire the constitu- 

 tion, etc., still I have the utmost confidence in yf>ur ability to make the 

 same as nearly right as possible. I have no axe to griiipl. " I ask neither 

 dictatum nor position, all I want is the " greatest good to the greatest 

 number." I have had honors innumerable, and worr's of praise forth© 

 work accomplisht from all over the country concerning my management 

 of the National Bee-Keepers* Union for the past IS years, and it is pleas- 

 ant to have my work appreciated, but that was not the object before me 

 as an incentive in attaining such great results. 



The constitution and by-laws which you will prepare, I know in ad- 

 vance, will receive my entire approbation, and. if I were present we woul(i 

 work together to bring about something that would make the bee-keepers 

 of America proud. 



I hope that you may have a very pleasant convention. Please re- 

 member me to all old friends. 



As Mr. Newman had in substance said that he would 

 be satisfied with what I might prepare to present to this, 

 convention, and, being very busy, I had neglected to pre- 

 pare anything, but immediately on receipt of the above let- 

 ter on the 25th, I set to work to prepare such admendments 

 to our present constitution as seemed desirable and neces- 

 sary for the union of the National Bee-Keepers' Union and 

 the United States Bee-Keepers' Association, so as to send 

 them to Mr. Newman and get hiscriticismsand suggestions 

 in time for this convention, asking him to direct his reply 

 to me here. His reply was handed me here during our last 

 evening's session, and is as follows : 



Mv Dear Dr. Mason:— Yours of the 2tith, from Toledo, is just re- 

 ceived, and I reply immediately so that you may get it at the couventioa. 



I have read the amended constitution carefully, and heartily approve 

 every part of it. The two blanks that you have left would be very prop- 

 erly filled, as you have penciled, for tlie directors should be nine. The 

 term of office would be better for three years than one. and to have an 

 election each \ ear to give the membership a chance to vote for one-thiid 

 of them would be advisable, I think. 



As to the " declining" of one to make the nine, I hope you will allow 

 ME to decline a position on the board of directors ; not that I would 

 desire to shirk any duty, but I have too much to do for my physical 

 strength. 1 shall be pleased at any time to render advice, or do anything- 

 in my power to assist in the management. .As I have had IS years' experi- 

 ence, something may come up upon which I coula give valuable informa- 

 tion or advice. This plan would leave out every possible cause for fric*' 

 tion. for there are some, of course, who <lo not like me, for I have "con- 

 victions," and will STATE them, and you know that a man who has na 

 enemies is not of much force or good in this pushing world. I shall 

 be well satisfied in any event, and will help to bring the consolidatiotv 

 to a successful issue by every means in my power. 



