AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



19 



paper from which we could get any 

 practical good ? Was it not better fitted 

 for the columns of one of our bee papers? 

 And is not the same true of the other 2 

 essays ? 



I will tell you why I bring up this 

 subject. In former years there was a 

 feeling, that I think became pretty 

 general, that essays at conventions had 

 become decidedly objectionable, and they 

 were largely abated. 



It begins to look a little like a return 

 to the former trouble, and I think it well 

 to raise a protest. Indeed, there is some 

 danger that the trouble may become 

 greater than it ever was in the past. 

 On the programme at Keokuk was a 

 place for volunteer contributions, and I 

 see the same is on the programme of the 

 Michigan State Society. It did no harm 

 at Keokuk, for only one paper came 

 under that head, and that a thoroughly 

 practical one with a purpose. But just 

 see how it opens the flood-gates. 



I ought to add that I do not hold the 3 

 friends mentioned as responsible. I 

 suppose they merely did what they were 

 asked to do. Some one may suggest 

 that a little of the responsibility may 

 have rested on my own shoulders. Well, 

 I do not see that that makes the case any 

 better. 



THE NORTH AMERICAN. 



Some pretty sharp criticism has been 

 made as to the course of this Association, 

 and a little of it may be deserved. I 

 believe it will be a good thing to have 

 all such things come out in open day- 

 light. I am sure those who are in 

 management — and I can speak quite 

 freely, as I hold no office whatever — 

 have no other desire than the greatest 

 good to the greatest number. If in any 

 respect there is need for improvement, I 

 think that suggestions in that direction 

 will not only be admitted, but welcomed 

 in any of our papers. 



There is room for strong hope that the 

 North American, once incorporated, may 

 become something stable and more useful 

 than it has ever been. As to how it can 

 do better work we have a subject well 

 worthy of discussion. 



Do not wait till the next meeting at 

 Albany, but open the discussion now. 

 Most of the things to be said about the 

 North American Association and its 

 conventions will apply to other associ- 

 ations and tlieir conventions. These are 

 becoming more common and more useful. 

 The man who gives a single hint telling 

 how an association can do more good or 

 have better conventions is a public 



benefactor. Bring on your suggestions 

 or your criticisms. 

 Marengo, Ills. 



[Again, Dr. Miller is not with the 

 majority. So far as our experience goes, 

 there never was such a demand for 

 essays at conventions as there is at the 

 present time. We have been solicited for 

 many that we could not supply. 



Some years ago, we partially favored 

 the Doctor's "hobby," just to see how it 

 worked. The result of a trial was, in 

 our opinion, unfavorable in some cases; 

 in others it was the opposite. It all 

 depends upon the President. If he is a 

 sharp parliamentarian, and will look up 

 the subjects to be discussed ; if he will 

 hold the speakers to the points under 

 consideration; if he will continue the 

 discussion only as long as it is kept up 

 to the interesting point, and then change 

 it to another subject, promptly — then 

 essays are not a necessity. 



On the other hand, if he is not an 

 adept in the art of presiding over a 

 meeting ; if he does not possess a good 

 list of subjects to be discussed; if he 

 does not hold the speakers within proper 

 bounds; if he cannot personally keep up 

 the interest, and periodically enthuse 

 the audience with his personal magnetism 

 — then essays are a great convenience, to 

 say the least. 



While it is true that those essays which 

 call out the best discussion are the most 

 desirable, it is also true that essays like 

 that of Prof. A. J. Cook, at Keokuk (to 

 which reference is made), are exceedingly 

 interesting, and quite appropriate. To 

 us, the Professor's essay was one of the 

 most interesting that was there produced. 



There is another point that we wish to 

 briefly notice. The secretaries of the 

 different Associations have been writing 

 to prominent persons soliciting these 

 essays, and dictating in almost every 

 instance, the subject to be treated upon. 

 Now, either these secretaries must be 

 induced to reform, or the writers must 

 refuse the urgent solicitations. 



One thing is certain, those who have 

 acceded to these requests, and have 



