498 
FANCIERS’ JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 
Standard as many others already there. Referring to an 
allusion, by Mr. Williams, to the earlier days of the Stand- 
ard, Mr. Halsted gave a short and concise history of that 
work, through the several editions, from its incipiency down 
to the present day. 
A motion to adjourn until 4 p.m. was then passed. 
At the afternoon session Mr. Burnham spoke at length 
upon the “Instruction to Judges,” the several articles of 
which he characterized as silly, useless, and mandatory. He 
asked the Executive Committee to give the matter their 
fullest attention, and hoped they would take immediate 
steps to expunge the entire matter from the Standard. 
Mr. C. A. Sweet (Mr. Bicknell being in the chair), re- 
plied, that he could see nothing in these instructions so par- 
ticularly obnoxious, and that thus far he had heard no good 
reasons given for their abrogation. The gentlemen who 
drew up these instructions were not all present, and it would 
hardly be courteous to them to act hastily upon it, or with- 
out first hearing what they had to say. For his part he 
thought he could abide by the instructions and act under 
them without feeling insulted, and that they were a benefit 
and help to the judge, rather than a source of annoyance 
and a detriment. 
Mr. A. J. Tuck took the same view of the matter, and 
stated that thus far he had heard no really valid reason 
against the utility of the instructions, nor why they should 
be expunged. He knew that there were some objections 
urged, but did not think that there was any widespread dis- 
satisfaction with the instructions, and that until he heard 
more definite charges made as to their faults and defects, he 
could see no reason for making any change. 
Mr. Halsted, in replying to the last two speakers, stated 
that probably the gentlemen belonging to the Executive 
Committee would hear less about the objectionable character 
of these instructions than those outside. In regard to the ex- 
punging of these instructions from the Standard, he thought 
it should be acted upon from a matter of policy, as well as 
of deference to the opinions of fanciers throughout the world. 
The gentlemen must know that these “ instructions ” have 
brought upon the Association nothing but derision from all 
English breeders and writers ; and at home, here in America, 
out of some ten or more journals devoted wholly or in part 
to poultry, only one — the Poultry World — commends it, 
and that in a half-hearted manner. So with the different 
poultry associations; so far, only one has unanimously in- 
dorsed it. He thought he was speaking within bounds when 
he stated that fully three-fourths of the fanciers rejected 
these instructions as odious and dictatorial. It is peculiar 
to Americans to reject anything that is seemingly forced upon 
them. Why not then yield this point, and thus bring har- 
mony out of discord? With the abrogation of this objec- 
tionable feature, or at least a modification of its mandatory 
tone, and the correction of those multitudinous errors and 
omissions, he thought the Association would receive the 
support and indorsement of the great majority of fanciers 
throughout the country. 
As to their benefit to judges, no competent judge needs 
them ; and, if the judge is not competent, neither these nor 
any other instructions can make him so. 
Mr. Warren thought the abrogation of the resolutions 
was unnecessary ; that the mandatory character could be 
changed so as to make them acceptable to all. 
Mr. Hudson took the same view of the matter, and said 
he did not feel that the Association should yield anything 
simply because it was asked to do so. 
Mr. Burnham replied that it was not simply because it 
was asked, but because it was a fair and proper concession to 
those outside of the Association, who wished to act in con- 
cert with the members, but could not do so if they were 
obliged to indorse any such silly rules. 
Mr. Bestor said that he felt that his position was perfectly 
well understood by the members of the American Poultry 
Association, for his letters through the papers had fully ex- 
plained it, and that in presenting the paper he now held to 
the consideration of the Executive Committee, he did it 
solely to promote the best interest of all concerned. That 
he had no axe to grind was manifest, for he had no eggs to 
sell, and had sold none for many years, and, as to fowls and 
pigeons — his particular hobbies — he made it not a business, 
but a pastime. His record in connection with the Connec- 
ticut State Poultry Society was well known, and needed no 
mention from himself ; and when he came before this Execu- 
tive Board, as he did at their invitation, he felt that his re- 
quests should receive a fair consideration at their hands. 
The action he had taken in this matter, and the course he 
now pursued, were intended to produce good feeling and 
harmony between the members of the Association and those 
outside, who now stood antagonistic to the Society. His co- 
adjutors, Messrs. Burnham and Van Winkle (and he might 
add Mr. Halsted, who was advocating the same action), who 
represented this opposing element among the fanciers, had 
decided to submit to the Executive Committee the following 
points for their action, and he would state that upon their 
favorable reception depended the harmonious action of the 
two factions (if he might so term them). If the Executive 
Committee agree to these requests, he could promise the 
hearty co-operation of the now opposing party, and that 
their good-will, their pens, and their pockets would assist in 
the growth and prosperity of the Association. It now de- 
pended upon the Executive Committee to say whether this 
desired union should be consummated or not. 
Mr. Bestor then read the following: 
Gentlemen of the Executive Committee: The points upon 
which we ask your favorable action, are : 1st. The abroga- 
tion of the obnoxious Instructions to Judges. 2d. The ad- 
dition to the Game Class, in the Standard of Excellence, of 
the following varieties, viz.: Spangled Games, Blue Games, 
Blue-red Games, and Brassback Games. 3d. The correc- 
tion of the multitudinous errors of omission, typography, 
&c., which prevail throughout the Standard. And, 4tli. To 
promote amity and good feeling with all, the reinstatement 
of A. M. Halsted to full membership. 
Mr. Warren replied at some length, followed by Mr. 
Hudson, who also rather resented that any demand should 
be made upon the Executive Committee for action in these 
matters. 
Mr. Sweet, also, left the chair again to state that the third 
clause of Mr. Bestor’s paper was one of the primary objects 
of the present meeting. The members perceived, as well as 
those outside, that errors had been committed, and they were 
as anxious to rectify them as anybody, and he believed that 
before they adjourned such action would be taken as would 
give perfect satisfaction to all interested. 
Mr. W. E. Flowers then spoke of the faults and objections 
in and to the Standard, and of its rejection on that account, 
as well as because of the obnoxious instructions, by the so- 
ciety he represented — the Eastern Pennsylvania Poultry So- 
ciety. 
