New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-24

Mechanics and Agricultural Fair Assocla-
ton. that it is temporary; that the Asso-
citation is yet poor; that little aid comes
from the planters or others in the state
outside of New Orleans. But this build
ing-if such it may be called-was con-
structed four years ago; and if the Asso-
citation, as such, is poor, its directors are
individually rich, and could easily erect
an amphitheater equal to that of st.
Louis, or any other in the Union. The
city, too, ought to have more PRIDE than
to permit this miserable attempt at COM
Portable arena to longer exist. True, the
Association was sadd!ed with some S5o,-
600 in non-interest bearing bonds, which
were worthless until our much abused
Legislature relieved it by substituting
bonds bearing interest and consequently
negotiable, OF its last session. Let Us
hope that its wheels may run more
smoothly hereafter.
The urbane secretary, Luther Holmes,
was rather the busiest man on the grounds
yesterday, attending to the various duties
of his Office, in getting everything and
everybody TO rights, supplying all with
the necessary entrance tickets and other
documents.
The justly popular President Marks,
with his white rosette and the various
active directors with their blue rosettes as
insignia of Office, were everywhere at the
service of those having anything to ez-
hibit in either Of their departments. Mr..
Homes was indeed jubilant, and justly so,
saying that though the directors, in their
address, say their grounds and buildings
are in fine order, and are ample enough to
accommodate much larger exhibitions
than any yet held in them" there are
more articles offered than they have room
for already; that it will prove not only a
better exhibition than either of its three
predecessors, but better than any yet held
in the Union. But this, of course, was
said under the excitement of the agreeable
opening.
And truly it is a success thus far. Sew
eral of the great cities of the North, East
and West as Philadelphia, Chicago, Gin
cinnatti, st. Louis, and many smaller
places, have showered down their good
things upon US; while our own Sunny and
reconstructed South and our own growing
Crescent City have done wonders. Not
only does that half Yankee State of Geor-
gia send forth its splendid manufactured
cotton fabrics from Columbus and other
points: but the Lone Star Texas, away off
toward sun down. is on the Fair tables
with her cotton and other fabrics, showing
that she can stand up and be as indepen-
dent as any of her industrious sisters.
As is the case with every fair ever yet
held in any city, this one opened several
days before its time. The shafting and
other machinery was not ready. Very
many exhibitors have net yet arrived
Through delay and accidents TO steamers,
many articles from Philadelphia and other
distant places are not yet here, but will De
on hand all right before the close OF the
fair.
However, there is already suaiciency
TO show that our city and Safe will gain
greatly by this exhibition. The best and
latest improved cotton gins. self-fastening
and other cotton ties, rice mills, sugar
boilers, CHARTERS, granulators, and every
thing else pertaining to the production Of
this and other Louisiana staples, are here,
and the competition for the prizes offered
for these and other things will be very
lively. Certainly, hereafter, sugar, rice,
cotton, and everything else will be pro-
duced with fewer laborers, and at less
cost than ever before.
With Floral Hall, that which should be
the greatest success in this glorious land
Of flowers, but few were pleased. There
is little that's artistic or agreeable in its
arrangement, and its sandy floor is but an
eyesore to the beholder. 1t may yet show
an improvement before the closing days.
The death of the florist, Nelson, few
months ago, by drowning in the canal,
seems to have left as great vacuum in
Louisiana floral culture as the death by
drowning in the Hudson of the landscape
gardner, Downing, left in the national
fora.
The vegetable department. which should
astonish all visitors from less productive
chimes by its abundance, astonishes them
by the absence of everything. Ore must
visit our markets to see our world OF
wealth in this respect.
The poultry department makes an ex-
cellent showing; but this and the art and
the various other departments will be
noticed more in detail as the tair pro-
crosses.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
Tn another column we publish the OI1ctal