PROCEEDINGS—EXECUTIVE MEETINGS. 
117 
Discussion of the motion pending at the hour of adjourn¬ 
ment last evening was resumed. 
The secretary stated that he had received credible informa¬ 
tion since the time of adjournment that certain responsible 
citizens of Madison would be glad to purchase the fairgrounds 
at a handsome advance upon what had been paid. Under 
these circumstances he could not consent to be the recipient of 
any special favors in the matter, but should, be considered as 
upon the same footing with every other citizen of the state. 
Mr. Cheney suggested that the farther consideration of the 
motion to ratify be postponed until the February meeting of 
the board, when two new members would have a voice in the 
decision. 
Other members did not believe the postponement would 
change the result and insisted that it was better to settle the 
matter at once. Afterwards the society could easily sell the 
property should it seem proper to do so. 
The vote having been ordered, the motion was carried al¬ 
most unanimously ; Mr. Cheney alone voting in the negative. 
On motion, the board then proceeded to an inspection of the 
accounts of the treasurer and secretary, and the settlement of 
other important business. 
The report of the treasurer was submitted through his agent, 
Mr. H. A. Lewis; Mr. Atwood being necessarily absent at 
Washington in the discharge of his duties as representative of 
the second district of the state in congress. The receipts into 
the treasury for the year were $23,495.23 ; the disbursements, 
$13,777.46; balance in treasury December 7, 1870, $9,717.77. 
[For statement in full see report as published under the 
head, “ Annual Meeting of the Society.”] 
By request of the secretary a committee of three members 
was appointed to examine his personal account with the society 
and report thereon to the board. The committee named by 
the president, consisted of Messrs. Clark, Stilson and Field, 
who, after due investigation, reported by Mr. Clark, chairman, 
that the amount of the society’s indebtedness to the secretary, 
