The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1853-10-27
Look out for the Bulgine u!
state Fair--Reforms Needed

/ In our last paper, we alluded to the
complaints and deficiencies at the State
Fair, and stated that there is imperative
need Of an entire reform in the getting up
and management of these Fairs. We
will now state more definitely what was
then only alluded to, for the purpose of
indicating the kind of reforms that are
necessary.
First-In regard to the premiums Of
fered at these Fairs, we have all along
contended that the proportion and amount
on machinery and manufactured articles
is not as great as compared with live stock
especially with cattle, as it ought to be,
in order to secure full and interesting
display of such articles-and yet we find
that the premiums on cattle have been
increased, while those on manufactures
have been diminished within few years.
The error was specified to us, by apromi-
nent manufacturer, at the Fair, as a rea-
son, why he and others refused to exhi-
bit. He said "it was evident the Board
cared nothing about the mechanical or
manufacturing interests only so far as
they might contribute to the drawing to-
gether crowd to admire their Durham
cattle" We replied that the Board no
doubt regarded tia an Agricultural Fair,
and hence Manufactures could only ex-
pect secondary degree of attention.
He replied, every well, then let it be en-
tirely agricultural, if the people will be
content to come from. all parts of the
country and pay thoir dollar to witness a
mere cattle show, and if that is the only
branch Of industry to be promoted by the
State Board"
Second-Too little care and judgement
has been exercised in the appointment of
Judges for awarding the premiums, in al
most all the departments of the Fair
We know that this is one of the most diff
cultof all the duties pertaining to this bus
mess, and inspite of all that can be done
there will lie some complaints from exhibi-
tors. Weknow, too, that it is unreasonable
oexpectmembers of the State Board, most
of whom are in active business of their
own, to devote as much of their time to
the business of finding out and cores
ponding with suitable men for judges of
all the various classes of articles at a
State Fair; but we also know that this
business can be done with vastly more
care and judgement than it has been
heretofore, and that too, without impos-
ing any additional labors on the members
of the Board themselves We shall speak
of this more fully at another time-only
adding that this, and most other causes of
complaint, would be removed, if the Board
had Secretary possessing one-half the
industry and love of the cause which
ought to characterize one who fills that
position. The reason why the noted
herds of Short Horns in the Scioto Val
ley were not represented at Dayton, we
were told, was solely on account of the
manner in which the awarding committee
were made up. Many of the exhibitors
of horses were also much dissatisfied,
and SO were the owners of implements
and machinery-the latter, we are con-
vinced, had good reason for complaint.
IAird-The inadequate diffusion of in
formation respecting the premiums and
regulations for the Fairs, is another great
cause of complaint, and one reason why
so little interest is manifested by mechan-
les and others residing in cities. 1t is
true that premium lists in abundance are
printed and in some way distributed, but
sufficient pains are not taken to distribute
them in towns and cities, and especially
we have noticed, that the newspaper press
| is not well enlisted in behalf of the Fairs
when the time for holding them is near at
hand. Particular complaint has been
made this year of the lack of imforma-
ton, in different parts Of the State, res
pecting the arrangements for carrying
articles to the Fair on railroads. Now an
efficient Board and Secretary would see
to it, that all these things were attended
to. Of course, it is not to be expected
that one man could do all this labor-but
he could superintend it all, and see that
all was done.
Fourth-Enough care is not taken to
create and preserve a good feeling on the
part of the crowd at the Fairs, by provid-
ing for their convenience and enjoyment
and especially by avoiding all unneces
sary cause of irritation or complaint
Several incxcusable cases of this kind
did much to mar he pleasure and injure
the general effect of the late Fair. The
first was, the failure to provide more thar
about half enough badges te meet the de-
mand for admission the first day-the
second, refusing to admit visitors on pay
! ment of 25 cents the second day, wher
the bills and advertisements had clearly
:, lntimated that thew were to be thus ad