SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
499 
in that happy strain which is his own, bringing out in the 
course of his remarks some very convincing arguments in favor 
of the extension of veterinary medicine in the Southern 
country. 
President Osgood then delivered his animal address, which 
was listened to with marked attention, as it contained manv 
suggestions looking toward the interests, extending the nsefill¬ 
ness, and bringing the association closer to the hearts of its 
members. He commended the custom in the association of 
having the President’s address delivered at the session following 
election, as any extemporaneous remarks made at the moment 
of the announcement of the balloting and in the excitement 
which such occasions produce, cannot be of the value and 
interest possessed by those which are the subject of earnest 
deliberation and assiduous study of the needs of the profession 
and its general welfare. He drew the attention of members to 
the dangers to the membership numerically on account of the 
inability of many to be present at the annual conventions, and 
their non-participation in the affairs of the association, which 
was calculated to cause them to lose interest in its deliberations. 
He thought that every member in good standing should have a 
voice in its affairs—especially a vote in the election of officers. 
He proposed that a nominating committee should place a 
number of candidates in the field and every member have the 
right to vote by mail for his choice. The selection would then 
be the voice of the entire membership and not of the compara¬ 
tively few who are able to be present. It would stimulate 
interest, it would make each man feel that he had a voice in 
the management of the affairs of the association. He dwelt at 
length upon the difficulty that was being experienced in collect¬ 
ing the annual dues, believing that the chief obstacles lie in the 
extreme financial depression of the average veterinarian, who 
has been and is bearing his proportion of the general lassitude 
of business, and the fact that the annual dues are too exorbitant. 
It was shown by the records that more money could be collected 
where the dues are $3.00 than if $5.00, and the burden upon the 
members would be considerably lightened, while it would bring 
beneath its influence a much larger proportion of the veterinari¬ 
ans of the country. The chief expenditures of the association 
are for printing the “ Proceedings,” and the salary and expenses 
of the Secretary, and it was clearly shown that the amount 
secured at the reduced figure would be quite sufficient for all 
purposes—the estimate of expenses has been about $1150 per 
