Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-08-22
Letter ftom San Francisco.
SAN FsAscr.co. August 18th. 1868.


SAN FaAxcIsco. August 18th, 1868.
OPENING OF THE MEeHANIcs' TAIR.
EpIroR CHRoNIcIx:-The Mechanics
Fair was opened last Saturday with appro-
pirate ceremonies. The pavilion in which
the sixth annual exhibition is being held is a
very imposing structure, recently erected by
the Association at q cost of $33, 900. 1t il
located on Union Square. ON the block
bounded by Stockton, Geary, Powell and
Post streets. with broad entrance on Stock
ton street, though there are several narrower
ones at different places. for the accommoda-
ton of exhibitors. The dimensions are %
follows: Main building 1S0x272 front wing
2o5xa5; Art Gallery 2o5xso; Plow room
40x2o; Agricultural room 65x26; Boiler
house 20x45. There is gallery running
fore and aft the main building for promenad-
ers, etc. On entering the hall the effect is
very fine, as the visitor faces wide aisle
that runs the whole depth of the building,
back to the Art Gallery. which is separate in
architecture, and runs across the west end
there are other narrower aisles running in
the same direction. The main aisle is inn
mediately under the arched dome, running
from east to west. At the base of the arch,
on either side. continuous rows of windows
are placed. affordins abundance of light to
the central part of the hall. From the base
Of the arched nave. on either side, are sloping
roofs, covering the wings, and under the
caves of these roofs are other windows, II
on each side, which admit an ample amount
of light.
l should have mentioned that in the main
aisle. midway. is large fountain, with three
upright jets. and a number of smaller ones
forming circle round the largest ONE
Ranged around the fountain are plants and
flowers, making very picturesque and
pleasant display, The vacant chairs (whcn
I passed along it being early in the day. in.
vite the tired one to loiter for rest and rec
reation.
Although the stalls are scarcely half filed
up as yet, the display made is very good.
The tardiness on the part of the exhibitors
in bringing in their goods is much complain
ed of by the managers, as well as by the
public. The exhibition promises to be, as it
deserves to be, very decided success, fnan-
cially and otherwise. The receipts of the
opening (half) day were over 81 900, which
is an earnest of success very gratifying to all
lovers of industrial arts and sciences. will
advise your readers more of details of the
Fair as it fills up and progresses.
POLITICAL.
The best possible feeling is manifested in
political circles in this city. within the Union
ranks, but quite the opposite is experienced
amongst the Kuk-Klux-K -Klan. 1t cannot be
said, however. that their nominations are
not popular. for they delight the Union Re-
publicans, and please nearly one half of the
X. K. KS. in our midst. There is no doubt
felt in we'll informed circles, here, that we
shalt carry the State handsomely. for Grant
and Colfax, and elect all three Of our Con-
gressmen, which will be glory enough for
one day (Norember 3d). The Examiner
finds its attempt to overthrow our Standard
bearer. General Grant, with the tactics it is
using. up hill work. Its gibberish about
Grants personal habits when in this State,
falls upon deaf ears, even within its own
party. The charge of drunkenness is
boomarang that returns to plague the accu-
sors with the damning record against their
own candidates. 1t is a two edged sword
that cuts one way as readily as the other.
If Grant was what the X. K. X. organ
claims that he was when here, he must have
reformed rapidly or else their Southern
friends, Buckner, Pemberton and Lee, must
have been miserable set of coots to strike
| their flag to slow drunkard." They are
at liberty to take either horn of the dilamma
they please. They feel that the "lost cause"
is in imminent danger second time, and
their hesrts fail them; their arms palsy at
their sides; all they can give their readers
is twaddle, more harmless than is such stuff
as dreams are made of. Yours, etc.,
L. W.R.