As required by the constitution, and in conformity to legal
notice given by the secretary, the life members constituting
the
Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, met in the City Hall,
by courtesy of the city officials, at 8 o'clock P.M. for the
election of officers for the year 1875, President STILSON in
the chair. After calling to order, the president said that the
society was again convened by constitutional requirement to elect
officers for the ensuing year. He hoped the deliberations of
members would be harmonious, and that the result of their action
would be the election of officers who felt a deep interest not,
only in the success of the society financially, but who would
use every reasonable effort to advance the great industrial interests
which was the prime work of the organization.
Mr. J. B. SHAW, of Milwaukee, moved that a committee of one
from the state at large, and one from each
Congressional district by appointed to recommend the names
of persons to be elected to the various offices. Vice-President
CLARK moved an amendment, that the one at large be appointed
by the chair, and the one from each Congressional district be
selected by the life members present from such district, which
amendment was accepted, and the motion was then unanimously agreed
to, and the chair appointed H. L. PALMER, of Milwaukee, for the
state at large, and the following named gentlemen were elected
by each district, as follows:
1st Congressional District - G. W. WILEY, Elkhorn.
2d Congressional District - W. T. LEITCH, Madison.
3d Congressional District - J. H. WARREN, Albany.
4th Congressional District - John JOHNSON, Milwaukee.
5th Congressional District - R. T. GRAVES, Ripon.
6th Congressional District - R. D. TORREY, Oshkosh.
7th Congressional District - J. G. THORPE, Eau Claire.
8th Congressional District - A. S. McDILL, Plover.
Upon the retirement of the committee for consultation, Secretary
FIELD stated that two amendments to the constitution
of the society had been presented by Vice-President STILSON
- now president - at the last annual meeting, and that the constitution
required that they should be read at this meeting, and that if
there were no objection he would proceed to read them. No objection
being raised, the amendments were read, no further action of
the society being required. Said amendments were recorded in
the minutes of the last annual meeting as required by Article
six of the constitution.
The committee returned, and by their chairman, Hon. H. L.
PALMER, submitted the following report:
President -
Eli STILSON, Winnebago County.
Vice-Presidents:
1st Congressional District - T. C. DOUSEMAN, Waukesha County.
2d Congressional District - Geo. E. BRYANT, Dane County.
3d Congressional District - J. H. WARREN, Green County.
4th Congressional District - J. L. MITCHELL, Milwaukee County.
5th Congressional District - Satterlee CLARK, Dodge County.
6th Congressional District - R. D. TORREY, Winnebago County.
7th Congressional District - J. G. THORPE, Eau Claire County.
8th Congressional District - J. T. KINGSTON, Juneau County.
Secretary -
W. W. FIELD, Green County.
Treasurer -
F. J. BLAIR, Milwaukee County.
Additional Members of the Executive Committee:
C. L. MARTIN, Rock County.
J. O. EATON, Columbia County.
E. J. COOPER, Iowa County.
N. S. GREEN, Jefferson County.
N. D. FRATT, Racine County.
Isaac STEVENSON, Oconto County.
N. W. DEAN, Dane County.
Mr. EATON thanked the committee for again nominating him
for a member of the executive board. Said that his
associations with members of the committee had been pleasant
and agreeable, and he hoped he had contributed something towards
the success of the society since he had been connected with it,
but that circumstances now rendered it necessary that he should
sever his connection with the board, although he should ever
take a lively interest in the future growth and prosperity of
the society. He would ask the society to substitute the name
of Hon. A. A. BOYCE, of Lodi, which was agreed to, and the report
was unanimously adopted.
Regrets were expressed by several members of the board that
Mr. EATON felt it his duty to retire from the active
work of the society, as his labors for many years had been
highly appreciated by his brother members. His energy and perseverance
in advocating what he thought to be right, and for the present
and future interest of the society, were unremitting; and he
was ever a willing worker in all the arduous labor of the board,
and especially were his best efforts appreciated in the positions
of superintendent of gates, and superintendent of the fine-arts
department, over one of which he discharged the duties acceptable
to both officers and society, during his connection with the
board.