Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-02-02
GENEROUS AND VERY HoNoRABLE.


The Davenport Democrat, in speaking of
in locating the next State Fair at Oskaloosa,
shows not little bad feeling, and insin
yates that Oskaloosa paid fares "to get the
President of every small county society to
be on hand" Davenport made bid for
the Fair-an association had been formed,
land bought, and various preparations made
in that city - but unfortunately these
Presidents Of small county societies" deci-
ded in favor of Oskaloosa! Strange as it
may appear, the claims of Davenport were
passed over, No wonder the Davenport ed
itors are astounded that these aforesaid
Presidents should dare to give the prefer
ence to point somewhere near the ceter Of
the State, However, our friends in the
East are learning that all the People of
Iowa do not live on or near the banks Of
the Mississippi-that there are a few inhab
itants scattered throughout Central and
Western Iowa. and quite number of cour-
ty Agricultural societies organized and in
operation.
After admitting that Davenport was fair
ly beaten, the Democrat urges that "a unit
ed effort of the county be put forth TO get
a county fair next fall that shall be OF 60
much Importance, that We (Davenport) get
glory enough out of it to save the trouble
Of going to the State Fair" This would
certainly be highly honorable! Because
their city was not selected as the place Of
holding the State Fair, the Democrat now
urges that all give cold shoulder to the
whole institution. How very disinterested
and unselfish !-evicencing strong (pock
et) interest in the success OF the State Agri-
cultural Society. Great is Davenport and
Scott county!
Precisely 30, Mr.. Journal! Great is
Davenport; great as the county Of Scott,
and great is the injustice done to the east.
ern counties of the State in locating the
State Fair where those who have the most
to exhibit can have no communication eth
er by rail or water. We understand the
matter precisely so, ard we have no doubt
that the people of the eastern counties will
see that this matter is attended to as we
suggested in the commencement. Why :?
Because it is right and proper We should do
SO. Which counties Of the State puts heavy
machinery on the Fair Grounds? Which
counties have the largest herds of thorough
bred cattle and horses? Which counties
are looked to to provide the interesting
features of the State Fair? Do the western
counties do thisi No sir; the eastern
counties Whose cattle made up the
"show" at the last State Fa:ri Those Of
men in the eastern counties. Was there
any heavy machinery on the Fair Grounds
at Oskaloosa last yenr9 Was there an en-
ginef threshing machine? Chinese su-
gar mill? . wind mill-in fine, was there
any Of that heavy farm machinery there
that should have been at q State Fair ?
None at all, and whyi Because there was
no chance to get such ma chinery there
without great expense and trouble Does
not the State Of Iowa invite the competition
of other States in her annual exhibitions 7
To be sure she does. and Why was there
none at Oskaloosa last last year, Simply
because Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and
other States could have NO communication
with that place by rail or water. Hence it
was that the State Fair of 1883 Was 6xxle
as every one knows who was there, or paid
and attention to the matter. II We would
do ourselves credit - State at our annual
Fairs, let us have them ct some accessible
point; at some place where people can 60
and carry their articles for exhibition with.
out creating such an enormous expsnse.-
OF course We speak for Davenport. but had
the Fair been located at Keokuk, Fort Mad
ison, Burlington, Muscatine. Iowa City, Ly-
ons or Dubuque. We would not have COM
planned, because there is chance to get to
these places for exhibition. To Oskaloosa
there could be no objection whatever, u
she could be reached BY any other means
than on foot We. Of the eastern counties
don't want any trouble about the mattsr.
but really We think Il b hardly hif 20 thua
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