San Andreas independent., 1857-10-10
Permanent Location of the State Fair


Permanent Location of the State Fair
AT the late Agricultural State Fair, a
Committee was appointed to collect facts
ana report at the next annual meeting of
the Society, in relation to a permanent
location OF the State Fair, where durable
buildings may be erected, and other things
arranged for the better convenience of
the Society and those who feel disposed
to take an interest in such exhibitions.
This is matter of no small importance
to the people of California, and particu-
larly to the agriculturist As considera-
BILE interest is felt by all classes, inhabit-
ing the vallies, the mines and the cities,
the matter should be so harmonised as to
accommodate all, so far as that can be
done. Yet more care should be mani
tested in consulting the conveniences and
advantages to the farmers, than any one
class; as upon them mainly depends the
production of articles to keep up an inter-
est in the Society. Next in Importance,
are articles of mechanical genius and skill.
which are generally confined to the cities
Therefore, some place should be selected
which would be most central in position,
and present the greatest conveniences for
transportation and travel for those two
branches of industry, and at the same
time be a convenient point of transit for
those wishing to visit the exhibition from
the mining sections of the State
All the principal cities will, doubtless,
contend for the honor; and each one has
some peculiar advantages which it can
present and urge in favor of its selection
No private benefits, no local prejudices,
should be allowed to decide this matter;
but the general advantages to the whole
community should alone exert an infu-
ence in deciding such question. The
benefits are intended, as far as possible,
to be universal-not local. The object is
to forward the interests, and increase the
prosperity of the whole State, and not of
particular individuals In the perma-
nent location of the State Fair, let every
other interest be sacrificed to that of the
public good and let that place alone be
selected which will present the greatest
to the greatest number.
When every interests consulted, and eve
nv convenience taken into consideration,
we are of opinion that the city of Stock
ton presents superior advantages, in point
of locality, to any other place in the
State There is no denying but that the
Slough city is situated in the centre of
the great agricultural lands of the State,
upon which depend the future wealth,
greatness and prosperity of the Pacific
coast. 1t is accessible, and in fact con-
venient of approach from all the agricul-
tural portions of the State that are now
settled. And from its location and CEN
tral position it will be, in future years,
when all our vallies, from the farthermost
North to the extreme South, are teeming
with population of hardy and enterpri-
sing farmers. No point can be selected
that will present as many advantages to
the farmer, the mechanic, the miner, and
every class who may wish to attend,
whether on business connected with the
Fair, or trip of pleasure and recreation.
But whatever point may be chosen,
some one should be selected, as the insti
tuition can never be expected to flourish
while til constantly migrating from place
to place, as a yearly move will place 1t In
the category with the rolling stone that
never gathers moss. With a settled To-
cation, permanent buildings would be
erected, and other convcniences estab-
lished, which cannot be, while it is con-
stantly perambulating the State. In con-
nection with the fair buildings, there
should be an herbary, under the direction
and control of the Society, where every
species of vegetation could be cultivated
that is of benefit to man-whether to
subserve his interest, tickle his palate,
or crafty his taste for the beautiful
cereal pomological or floral. Every spe
cies of each class should be cultivated.
after the most approved manner, in order
to bring them all to the greatest degree
of perfection possible, and the informa-
ton obtained could be promulgated to the
world for the benefit of agriculture, hor-
ticulture, pomology, and every class of
persons concerned in the productions of
the earth. This could not be done i'm
mediately, as time would be required to
bring such scheme to degree of use
fulness, but, with the permanent location