86 



First Annual Report 



COMMUNICATION I!Y TELEGRAPH. 



Mr. Greeley wrote thus : "No bee-keeper knows when he may be 

 called upon to defend himself in court against the attack of some spiteful 

 neighbor, who thinks to injure him through his bees. Therefore, all should 

 join the Union at once. I think the Union should have a cipher for use by 

 telegraph in case of emergency. In my case the petition was only circulated 

 three or four days before the meeting of the new council, giving me no 

 chance to defend myself" 



in case of emergency business can be done by telegraph, of course, but 

 it is essential to carefully consider such matters before involving lawsuits. 



The only case the Union has lost was the Olmstead vs Rich case, and in 

 that an answer was demanded by telegraph. The statement was made that 

 the sheriff was threatening to collect the costs, which were very heavy 

 (while the damage was only 6 rents), and Mr. R. wanted an appeal from the 

 decision of the Supreme Court to the Court of Appeals, and demanded a 

 reply by telegraph. 



We do not lik-e to have such important business done by telegraph. 



OTHER CASES. 



At iMarine. Madison county, 111., a spiteful man circulated a petition 

 demanding to have the bees removed from the village. We dosed the 

 oflicials wiUi the decision of the Supreme Court, and heard no more of that 

 petition. 



At Easton, Pa., we score a victory won by a judicious use of the "De- 

 cision of the Supreme ("ourt of Arkansas." An ordinance was there pre- 

 sented to the city council declaring the keeping of bees a "nuisance" and 

 imposing a penalty of ^20 (or its violation. It was referred to the law de- 

 partment, and Mr. C. G. BeiLel appeared before that body, and addressed 

 it by giving in substance the argument of Judge Williams (which we had 

 already sent him), showing the absurdity of .such an ordinance. The result 

 was that the section relative to l)ees was .stricken out by unanimous vote and 

 the bee-keepers there were troubled no more. 



At Hopkins, Mo , the "nuisance" fever has broken out; and in many 

 other places it assailed apiarists, but was cured by a dose of the Arkansas 

 Supreme Court decision. 



Space fails me to further enumerate the work done during the year. 



OKITCEkS FOR THE COMING YEAR. 



Eight years ago the offices were filled by the present incumbents. Each 

 year they-liave been re-elected by large majorities. They have done well, 

 and been perfectly harmonious in all their actions. But would it not be 

 advisable now to have an entire change ? Would it not inspire confidence 

 and add largely to the membership? Some may think that, the present officers 



