New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-10-17
THE AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL
FAIR.

plain and unmstakable in its import. w.wP.
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THE AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL
FAIR.
AS the time approaches for the holding Of
the Agricultural and Mechanical Fair in this
city-which will be inaugurated the goth of
November, and continue eight days the
interest of the public in it continues to in
crease. It will be, in many respects, an exhi-
bition both pleasing and useful; and, managed
as it is by a board of directors who have en-
ergy, good judgment, and an abundance of
capital, its success we do not regard as at all
doubtful.
The object of the association is to promote
and encourage improvements in all the various
mechanic arts, the fine arts, rural economy,
ETC.; and by offering liberal premiums to
create healthy stimulus and rivalry which
will be of benefit to all the material interests
of the country. Now, more than ever, are
such exhibitions needed, when we are under
the necessity of putting forth all our energies,
and availing ourselves of every improvement
which science can help us to, in restoring the
prosperity of land devastated by war.
The association owns beautiful property
on the edge of the city--formerly the Creole
race course with plenty of room for an exhi-
bition ON an extensive scale. The property is
exempt from State and municipal taxation, by
special act Of the legislature and is
nearly paid for. There are, how
ever, few thousand dollars worth of
stock yet unsold, the advantages Of taking
which ought to be seriously considered by
those interested in the welfare of the city.
Independent Of the benefit which the holding
of an annual fair will be to the trade and COM
merce of New Orleans, it is believed that as
mere investment in real estate, in one of the
most rapidly improving portions Of the city,
it offers unusual inducements.
The board of directors, in a circular which
they have issued, declare very properly, that
the enterprise, now so necessary in all its
bearings, should receive the cordial coopera-
ton and support Of all classes of our citizens.
The merchant and the mechanic, the profess
sional man and the laborer-all who are in
terested in the future prosperity of our State,
should unite with us in making this institu-
ton a permanent feature Of the South. What
has been done elsewhere proftably and sue
cessfully, should and can be done here"
1t is proposed to invite to the fair contribu-
tors from all portions of the Mississippi
valley notthe Southwestern States alone, but
the country bordering the great river and its
tributaries. Over twenty thousand dollars
will be paid in premiums alone, (Which is
liberal for the first year Of an enterprise Of
this sort t)-and much more than that sum will
be expended in improving and decorating the
grounds and erecting the necessary buildings
for the accommodation Of exhibitors and
visitors.
Fairs Of this sort serve many good pur-
poses They encourage industry and stimu-
late inventive genius. They make planters
and mechanics familiar with the labor-saving
machines. They tend to cultivate more re-
fined taste They bring together people from
different sections Of the country, and, by
making them acquainted with each other,
have social and humanizing influence. In,
. mere money point Of view, it may be con
sidered by. our merchants and tradesmen how
great an impetus is given to their business by
The presence Of thousands Of strangers in the
sity during . fair lasting eight days.
Proposing to return to this subject il a few
lays, We conclude by subioining the names
If the directors of the association, in the list
If which will be found names that serve as a
guarantee Of the success of any enterprise
hey may undertake Mr.. /. N. Marks is pres
lent, Capt @. Fl. slocomb is chairman of the
Fair Grounds Committee and the other direct
ors are Messrs, Geo. W. Sizer, H r. swasey,
9. d. Hall, N. Richards, Joseph Ellison, W.
Smith, =. Folger, Josiah Cole, j. Davidson,
". B. Schmidt, Norman Story, F. Carmerden,
Bower, g. A. Breaux Richards Swain, G. F.
Knight, Luther Homes, T. Pemberton and A.
". Merriam.