The annual general meeting of the members of this institute was hold on Monday evening, when there was a large attendance. The interest was centred in the election of president, about which there had been considerable feeling manifested. Mr Findlay had occupied the post for some eight years, and on his retirement from office the name of Mr Cooke was proposed; however, political feeling induced Mr McKeand to be brought forward, although he had been connected with the institute, and had been in every office since its commencement, and he was elected by a majority of two votes. This time, contrary to precedent, the election was made a topic of discussion at committee meetings, and the general wish seemed to be hostile to Mr Cooke. Captain Dalrymple Hay, a most popular and estimable gentleman, was induced by misrepresentation to come forward ; and immediately canvassing began, and persons were asked for their vote "to keep Cooke out," as some of the canvassers, elegantly put it. Captain Hay was popular with everybody, but it was deemed advisable not to allow a member of the Institute to become a victim of personal and political spleen, even though the wire-pullers and manueuverers should nominate one of his own party to oppose him, Captain Hay first of all withdrew, but, on the Mechanics' Committee assuring him that it was the general wish of the members that he should stand, and that under any circumstances Mr Cooke would he opposed, he reluctantly consented to stand. Mr Cooke's friends were all Captain Hay's friends, and in opposing the Captain's candidature they were not placing themselves antagonistic to him, but to those persons who were the prime movers of the opposition. Capt. Hay was certainly not desirous of the honour, and it was only under a misapprehension of the situation, that he consented to go to the poll. Accordingly on Monday night the Town Hall was filled with an interested audience, larger than has ever taken part in an election of officers in connection with the institute before. Mr John McKeand presided.
The CHAIRMAN said the Institute had never been so successful as it had been in the past year. There were 1155 members on the books. They had had a most successful season of lectures, especially a concert, promoted chiefly by amateurs, and for the success of which they were indebted largely to Captain HAY-(cheers)-and the Committee had a balance in hand of £11 13s. 6½d. (Cheers.)
Mr McFARLANE; then read the Treasurer's statement, from which it appeared that the balance in hand at the commencement of the year was £3 4s. 2½d., that on several of the lectures and readings there had been losses, but that owing to the gain of £11 on the concert, the Society was £11 13s. 6½d. in hand.
Mr McMURTRIE; said there was not a loss on Mr Harrower's readings, Captain Heron had given £2 towards the deficiency.
Mr McFARLANE said the readings took place on Jan 26th, and the donation was paid on Feb. 20th, and he entered it as the Captain's subscription towards the Institute. (Hear, hear.)
Mr McGEOCH said although the money was not paid at the time of the readings, Captain Heron called and said he would give £2 to lessen the loss.
Mr McLEAN -- May I ask if any money has been expended in books this year?
Mr McMURTRIE--O yes.
Mr McLEAN - I beg your pardon sir, I am not addressing you. I am asking the Chairman (Laughter)
The CHAIRMAN said the present committee had only been in office six months.
Mr COOKE said he supposed it was a fact that the Committee now for 18 months had been unable to avail themselves of the Fergusson Bequest, which was certainly a serious loss to the Institute.
Mr McMURTRIE (jumping up) - We would if Mr Cook had not lost us £5 to the Institute by the grand soiree be got up. (" Oh, oh.")
Mr COOKE said he was not aware that the soiree which he supposed was a great success had resulted in any such deficiency.
Mr McLEAN said even if it had it was most unfair to attempt to saddle it upon Mr Cooke, as he was only one of a numerous committee connected with it. (Hear, hear.)
Mr COOKE said as individual responsibility was undergoing the ordeal of criticism, perhaps Mr McMurtrie would tell them how it was that the institute allowed a profit of £6 to go past them through not engaging Mr Walter Bentley.
The CHAIRMAN rose and said something disparaging about Mr Bentley which elicited hisses and cries of "Oh oh."
Mr COOKE said he complimented Mr McKeand on his good taste.
Mr McKEAND said the Committee did not engage Mr Bentley for financial reasons.
Mr COOKE said that the result of the readings showed that the Committee's judgment was at fault. The gentleman who engaged Mr Bentley cleared £6 by it.
Mr McKEAND -I don't believe he cleared anything. ("Oh, oh.")
Mr FINDLAY said it had been circulated throughout the parish that he had made an erroneous statement as to the balance in hand at the last meeting. What he said was in perfect good faith made on the statement of the Treasurer at that meeting. Perhaps the late Treasurer would tell them if that was so.
Mr McGEOCH said on the night of the animal meeting he had certainly £5 in hand, and some subscriptions which were overdue had been counted on. The mistake had arisen from outstanding accounts being sent in afterwards.
Mr FINDLAY - Then my statement was substantially correct.
Mr McFARLANE read the following report from the Librarian, (Mr Harding):-

Number of books issued to Members for three months ended 31st March-

The annual subscriptions are now due but I thought it advisable to delay them until after this meeting. Although there is a pretty good balance in favour of the Institute, in my opinion we shall have enough to do with it, and much more. (Hear, hear.) We have nearly one hundred numbers of Blackwood's Magazine besides Cassell's Family Magazine, and Chamber's Journal to be bound. In the meantime the Library is the most attractive, and the requirements there need be attended to. Another thing very essential is a supplementary catalogue. Members especially from the country, cannot always find it convenient to attend at the Library and consequently have not an opportunity of choosing from the books more recently added. Much credit is due to the committee for their exertions on behalf of the Institute. We must not, however, rest satisfied merely with our success, but endeavour to give every facility in order to induce the public to take advantage of it. Amongst all the societies in the town, {friendly or otherwise, none of them tends so much to advance the moral, social, and intellectual well-being of the community than this Mechanics' Institute. A pity it is, indeed, that so many of our Mechanics don't see it. But, (Mr Chairman) to he plain, and I trust no member will take offence, I ask, have we given the public:---more especially the Mechanics or working people, by whom, and for whose benefit the Institute was got up-every inducement to become members? My answer is the negative. Apart from the Library, what choice of newspapers have we in this Reading Room more than tradesmen are able to sopply themselves with? None but the illustrated papers. If members wish to see Conservative papers daily, their choice is two-(laughter--of Liberal four, of Conservative weekly none, of Liberal weekly four. As to this the committee are by no means in fault. They had not the selecting of the papers, but like their predecessors accepted then as supplied by Mr Anderson at half-price. If I am rightly- informed, the time has now arrived when we shall have to pay full price, The cost of the newspapers-few as they are-will require all the members' subscriptions to pay for them. Assuming that we have a clear balance of £12, that will not meet the other expenses for a year. It may he thought the readiest way to get out of the difficulty is to trust to the committee now to be eleeted for their success in lectures, &c., during winter. It should be distinctly understood, that these, lectures are not got up for the purpose of raising funds for the benefit of the Institute, but simply the carrying out a part of what is laid down in the constitution, and in which all the members for whose benefit they are chiefly intended, and expected to give their hearty support. There it one grievance that is worthy of consideration, and that is that Jack has to pay as much as his master You will probably remember at last election it was said. "There should be no distinction amongst the members." Now I leave it to your fair judgment is it right to charge an apprentice, whose weekly earnings it may be 3s. or 4s. a week, half a crown, and a gentleman no more? Or a working man residing three or four miles in the country who can only participate in the benefits of the Library and a gentleman can come in and out 13 hours a day if he chooses, and pay no more. No distinction! How long did that continue? Well until Harrower's's, readings, when there were three charges for admission. Surely that was a ;distinction. Now, gentlemen, what I propose is that we have two classes of members. The charges, 5s. and 2s. 6d. We need not be under the impression that by doing so we shall lose members, on the contrary we shall, gain, by it, because we shall be more able to give greater inducements. No one can say that a daily newspaper is dear at a penny, and that is 26s. a year. If this Institution, poor and all as It is, is not worth 5s, it is worth nothing (hear, hear.) But remembering, therefore, while the charge would be double to those best able to pay, yet before the winter season would be past, we could be able to refund the whole with interest I by admitting the members to lectures or reading at ticket for 6d., and a ticket for 3d., this to apply to members only. Special rates could also be made for family season tickets. I am quite confident that if our lectures were judiciously managed they would be certain to prove most successful. Supposing we arrange for seven lectures extending from October to March, the printing necessary for the whole could be done at one time, which ought surely to be a saving, Then again we took the Victoria Hall, and instead of paying 30s. when a success, and 15s. when a failure, we guarantee to pay a pound, I think it would be gladly accepted. Further, we might combine with the Athenaeum in Stranraer and every Association of the kind to Dumfries, to have a lecturer perhaps a week, and each Society to bear their own expense, The lecturer; would incur at least less travelling expenses and probably be the saving of a pound; that then would cover the cost of the hall. Were it not that this hall is much in want of repairs, and we want billiard table as well, it would only be sufficient for us to accept the hall free from the Earl of Galloway, we would no longer require two guineas from him nor from the other gentlemen who assisted us in the same way. I trust that the success which may attend our lectures will place us beyond the difficulty of getting ends to meet, and probably before another election we shall be able to announce the Library free of charge to the members and only a very nominal sum for the papers. Now, gentlemen, I have laid my plans before you; it is for you to adopt them. Ponder well the great boon you may confer upon yourselves and the public. This has been an institution for good for a quarter of a century, but, unfortunately has, to a great extent failed in its object, Numerous complaints have been made to me by members about the want of attraction here in winter. In summer they have their bowling and other amusements, but when that is ended they are left to spend the long winter evenings as best they may. Much of this want will be met by taking up the other part of our constitution, which provides for; essays, conversations, and discussions, " but no discussion shall be allowed to take place bearing on political or religious subjects." 'These, if successfully carried on, together with a well-stocked reading-room of papers and magazines, would `undoubtedly, be largely taken advantage of and sure to prove a blessing in many a home. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then introduced the subject of election of office-bearers, and said, it had been the wish of the committee to make the Institute as cheap and as efficient as possible for the working men
The Earl of Galloway, Mr Stopford Blair, and Captain Heron, M.P., were then elected patrons of the Institute.
Mr FINDLAY said he had been requested by several members of the Institute to submit a name for the office of president of that Institute, and he had much pleasure in doing so, and it was one they would all approve of, It was the name of Captain Dalrymple Hay, a gentlemen well fitted for the post; by his courtesy, urbanity of manner, and the amount of leisure he had at his command, he would be able to occupy the office in it most satisfactory manner. (Cheers.) He recollected some time ago that it member of the institute expressed a will that Captain Hay and others of the same social standing might be induced to come forward and take an active part in the affairs of the Institute. ("hear, hear;" from Mr Cooke.) It would therefore be peculiarly gratifying to that gentleman that Captain Hay had come forward and consented to stand. Already they had experienced great kindness from Captain Hay, and he trusted they would show their appreciation of it by electing him to the post of president unaminously.
Mr McMURTRIE said, as vice- president, he had much pleasure in seconding the motion, and he felt sure that Captain Hay would take great interest the Institute, and do his utmost if elected. promote its success.
Mr HENRY said he rose with great pleasure propose the name of another gentleman [illegible] opposition to that nominated by Mr Findlay. He was rather surprised at the new route things had taken that evening. That was the first time since he joined the Institute that an effort had been made to put a gentleman into office who was scarely connected with it. It had hitherto been the custom to appoint some gentleman that had for long time been engaged in the working of the Institute and had proved himself its friend by the interest he had already taken in it. Of course he did not say one word to detract from Mr Findlay's admiration of Captain Hay's many good qualities nor would he say one word in disparagement of that gentleman; they all admired him as a highly - esteemed citizen of Newton-Stewart-(hear, hear)--and as a worthy member of an honourable profession; but at the same time they all thought as much of him because he was a son of that highly esteemed and popular gentleman, Admiral Sir John Dalrymple Hay. (Hear hear ; and is cry of "Question, question," from Mr Findlay,) There was no doubt of it. He was not aware that Captain Hay had any connection with the Institute, as he had never heard his name mentioned in that capacity until the very successful concert at which he presided. He did not think it right to make a gentleman president who, with that exception had done no work in connection with it. Sorely it was not necessary to go outside of the members to obtain such an official. It had been necessary to promote the vice-president to that office, and supposing the gentleman who now held that post were too modest-(Laughter)-to put himself into the president's chair, why did they not look around and see if there were no old friends and servants of the Institute worthy of the honour. (Cheers.) There was Mr McGeoch a most assidious and energetic member of the Institute-(hear, hear)--and there was Mr McFadyean who for a long time had been its secretary. (Hear, hear.) There were plenty of gentlemen who could have been obtained for the office, and it was not necessary to go out and get an ornamental president. Captain Hay was a gentleman whose social position entitled him to become a patron of the Institute, along with Lord Galloway and the other gentlemen who occupied that honourable position. (Cheers.) What he had done, take the chair at a public meeting, had been done by patrons, and as a patron he would have been elected unanimously. (Hear, hear.) The gentleman, however, that he proposed to become president was not one who was likely to take an interest in the Institute but who had and was taking an interest in it. (Hear, hear,) For the first time in the history of the Institute there had been canvassing going on for the office; on several occasions the offices had gone a-begging. At the last election, the vice-presidentship was declined by several and it was Mr McMurtrie who proved en dernier ressort.

Here Mr McMurtrie; who seemed to be irrepressible, rose and made some remarks.

Mr COOKE - I shall thank Mr McMurtrie to refrain from introducing my name so unnecessarily, and I further object to his interpolating remarks like a parrot, (Loud laughter).

Some further interruption took place, followed by i cries of " Henry, Henry,"

Mr. COOKE - Mr. Henry is in possession of the house.

Mr HENRY resumed. He had not the least doubt that the gentleman he intended to propose would give every satisfaction to the members from the way in which he had hitherto interested himself in its affairs. He had already done it good service, and, if elected, he was sure the institute would flourish under his presidency. He alluded to Mr. Cooke, who, at the last annual meeting, although there was no prior arrangement about his candidature, only lost the office of president by two votes, (Cheers).

Mr McFARLANE said he had much pleasure in seconding the proposal.

Mr. FINDLAY rose and made another speech, and said he was surprised after Captain Hay's name had been mentioned so long ago, that every gentleman who mentioned it should oppose him.

Mr COOKE: - Allow me, Mr Chairman, to make an - explanation: Mr Findlay is quite right; I did mention Captain Hay's name along with those of Mr Drew, Mr Gilford, and others, and I said, "Why do you not go out and induce gentlemen of their social standing to come in amongst you." But I was told at this very table that "we didn't want - these aristocrats --(Cheers and " oh oh ")- that they did not want ornamental men, but working men who would take an active interest in the affairs of the institute.

Mr McMurtrie-Proof, proof ; it's untrue.

Mr COOKE -It is quite true; it was stated at this table, and there are gentlemen here who can corroborate any assertion, and to prove it further, if Mr Findlay wanted these gentlemen to serve as officials, why did- he gorge himself with office for six or eight years, and come down to the annual meeting, and in his bland shilly-shallying way --(laughter) - pretend that he did not want office, yet he was wanting it all the time, and induced the members to re-elect him. (Cries of "Oh oh," and uproar).

Mr FINDLAY (excitedly)-This is a gross outrage; it is a personal attack on me which I say is altogether disgraceful and unwarrented. I was elected year after year by the wish of the members

Mr McFarlane - I certainly remember that when Mr Findlay spoke of retiring, and Mr. Cooke was nominated, Mr Findlay drew back his intention of retiring, such was his personal feeling against Mr Cooke, and kept the office himself rather than let Mr Cooke have it.

Mr FINDLAY - It's untrue ; it's untrue!

Mr McFARLANE - It is true, and I make the statement advisedly and on my honour, members here can substantiate what I say.

The CHAIRMAN - Mr Cooke was only proposed once when he was defeated.

Mr COOKE - Yes, by two votes. But I was spoken of before that meeting.

Mr R. CARSON--We have come have to vote. and - I think the sooner we get to the voting the better.

Mr McLEAN-I think there is a great deal of common sense in what Mr Carson says.

Mr FINDLAY - At that meeting Mr Cooke moved a vote of thanks to me, so there could be no personal feeling there.

Cries of "Vote" vote.."

The Meeting then went to the vote, Messrs McFadyean and Stroyan being appointed tellers. The voting was by ballot. On the papers being counted the voting was found to be as follows :-

There was only one blank. The result was received with loud cheers,

Mr COOKE: said : Permit me, gentlemen, to return you my sincere thanks for the honour you have done me, and I am sure you will be glad to know that I have in my possession a letter, the concluding sentence of which is: "If you are successful believe me, no one will congratulate you more heartily than I shall.- JAMES DALRYMPLE Hay." ( Loud cheers.)

The other officers appointed were as follows :----Vice-President, Mr James M Geoch; secretary, Mr. McConnachie; treasurer, Mr John McFarlane (reelected) ; Members of committee, Rev. J. M. Inglis, Messrs W. S. McCredie, John Agnew, Robert Duncan, R. a B. Evans, Thomas Mair, and Robert McCaa; the library committee was re-elected consisting of Messrs McKeand, McGeoch, and McFarlane; auditors, Messrs D. Peattie and James Kinna, bank accountants.

Mr FINDLAY, in moving a vote of thanks to the Chairman, disclaimed all personal feeling in the matter.

The CHAIRMAN returned thanks and said he hoped there would not be as many complaints in the Gazette about the Institute as there had been lately.

Mr MCMURTRIE said he hoped the accounts would not be cooked.

This terminated the meeting. which from the commencement had been of a most lively and exciting nature.