Climbing Over The Fence

                                          CLIMBING OVER THE FENCE

                                             ___________________

                                          Business Man Were Guilty Of It.

                                             ___________________

                                              ALL SORTS OF SCHEMES

                                             ___________________

                                          To Gain Free Entrance to Fair
                                                Grounds Discussed at
                                                Meeting of Fair Manager

                                             ___________________

The regular meeting of the board of managers of the Washtenaw Fair, held Friday afternoon in the council chamber in the court house, was more than of usual interest. The treasurer's report showed that the society had a most successful year and the guarantee fund will not be touched. The election of officers and directors was declared. The abuses of the pass system were discussed. When the roll was called, President Dean, Vice-President Kelly, Secretary Mills and Managers Kappler, Chapin, Sperry and Schumacher were present. Treasurer Belser and Managers Graves and Schmid came later.

Secretary Mills called attention to the fact that there was no provision in the by-laws requiring the standing committees to report to the board of managers. This should be done. He reported verbally as chairman of the printing committee. He was followed by President Dean, chairman of the garantee fund, and Manager Schumacher, chairman of the school exhibits
The latter made the suggestion that this exhibition was quite an attraction, but that it should be worked up this winter and not left until next fall after the school had their vacation.
The three protests tiled were taken up. The first protest read was from Henry C. Waldron, who protested that Charles Arnold, of Superior, had entered two horses as best pair of draught horses and also best matched farm horses for Muehlig & Schmid's special prize, when Mr. Arnold did not up to Oct. 5, at 10 o'clock a. m.. own one of the horses.
He said further that the team was a grand good one, but that he made the protest only because the society demanded honest fair exhibits. He asked that the testimony of Francis Augustus and mother of Ypsilanti be taken.

Manager Schumacher asked for the opinion of Manager John Kappler, superintendent of this department.
Mr. Kappler stated that Mr. Arnold said the horse had been in his care for three months and he thought he would own him

On motion of Manager Schumacher, the action of the judges was sustained and the protest overruled.

The other two protests were in reference to indoor and outdoor views by amateur photographers.
One protest was signed by E. M. Wurster, C. C. Lutz and Harry Cole against Mr. Van Horn, because of his pictures not being mounted on a large piece of cardboard, and that they suspected Mr. Van Horn was not an amateur. Katie and Fannie Cady protested against both Van Horn and Wurster for the same reasons.

Secretary Mills explained that last year there had been only one exhibit in this department. Messrs. Wurster and Lutz wanted to withdraw their protest. It was simply a technicality. The boys had been talked into the protest by a member of the board.
President Dean said he had looked over the pictures and thought it was only a matter of the size of the cardboard.

On motion of Manager Schumacher, the award of the judges was sustained.
Secretary Mills read his report.
His receipts had been $372.25, and he had given orders on the treasurer for $2,903.86, being printing, $121; note at Farmers and Mechanics Bank, $123; postage and express, $47.80; labor, 504.90; races, $218.48; allowed by auditing committee, $656.63; premiums awarded, $947.05.

President Dean said he understood there were some disputed premiums.
Secretary Mills said he knew what President Dean referred to. President Dean had gone out on the street and asked the business men to close up on Friday afternoon.
At 1 o'clock on that day he had seen a herd of horses going up Wells street. He had gone to the gate, and heard people say the fair was breaking up; it was no use to go in. Henry Waldron had turned his horse loose, causing much annoyance to the people, and contrary to the by-law that provided, if any exhibitor removed his exhibit before 4 o'clock of the last day without permission, he would forfeit his premium.
It was an outrage on the business places that had closed up for the afternoon.

President Dean said the matter was perfectly plain. They had a by-law which, if they allowed it to be violated, would end in people not coming to the fair.

Vice-President Kelly said he had been at the gate. He had tried to have Henry Waldron hold his horses until 4 o'clock, calling his attention to the by law; but Mr. Waldron said there were not men enough on the grounds to hold his horses, and that he did not care anything about the premiums. Mr. Kelly did his best to keep the peace between Mr. Waldron and the gatekeepers.

President Dean said he did not see any reason why Mr. Waldron should raise a disturbance. If they let everybody run their fair, they would not have anybody to attend it. He thought it was an advantage to the fair to have Mr. Waldron exhibit his horses. Mr. Waldron had a big sale, which was all aight; but Mr. Waldron was the last man who should take the law into his own hands.

Manager Schmid said he understood Mr. Waldron had received a part of his premium.

Secretary Mills said he had got pay to the amount of $26 65. His premiums amounted to $69.50, leaving a balance of $42.95.

Manager Schumacher said he did not want to do any injustice to Mr. Waldron. but. Mr. Kelly had warned him. Many merchants had wished to remove their goods before 4 o'clock, but they had not been permitted to do so.

Manager Chapin moved that the premiums awarded Mr. Waldron be declared forfeited for a vilation of the by-laws.

Secretary Mills stated that every request made by Mr. Waldron as to changes in stalls, etc, had been complied with.

Thereupon the motion passed unanimously.

President Dean stated that although he had not voted, be wanted it under stood that he thought the motion a just one.

Treasurer Belser reported that his total receipts up to the night previous had been for the year $3,065.50, and disbursements $1,677.79. There was a balance on hand of $1.387.71.

On motion of Manager Schumacher, an order of $100 was allowed the secretary tor his services.

On the suggestion of President Dean the secretary was directed to notify the subscribers to the guarantee fund, that the society was happy to announce that they would not be called upon.

Treasurer Belser suggested that before the next fair the gates of the fair should be rearranged with turn-stiles. There should be some check on the people who pass through.

On motion of Manager Schumacher the secretary was directed to call the attention or the board at the next meeting to the subject of gates.

Secretary Mills called attention to the many abuses of passes. The life-membership tickets were abused. The worst trouble came from the managers who asked for passes for people to go down town.
Men who should work for the interests of the fair got passes and then turned them over to people who should pay.
He had placed his son at the gate. and people had come up and offered 15 cents to get in and stated the gate-keeper had let them in on this. Some had gone so far as to go over to the car barn and telephone for this keeper, saying he had promised to let them in.
He had seen business men of the city climbing over the fence. He told of a number of other schemes to avoid paying entrance money still more astonishing.

President Dean said he had once se n a man on the grand stand drop his ticket five times to others to use.
Manager Schumacher told of hearing parties brag of how they had cut off their fair buttons and given them to others. He favored a turn-stile that would register every one.

The matter of how to regulate, the abuse of passes was generally discussed and, on motion of Secretary Mills, a committee of five was appointed to draft a plan and report the same at the January meeting.
The committee appointed was Secretary Mills, Treasurer Belser and Managers Schumacher, Schmid and Kelly.