New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-03
4e,y Orleans Republican.
OFFICIAL JOURNAL or THE UNITED STATES.
EFelt,al JOURNAL OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
WHAT WE SAW AT THE FAIR.

As the State Fair will doubtless come to
close to-day, few words regarding it ma
not be considered smiss nor ur
productive OF profit to the communit
generally. but we will premise by sayin
that, if we censure certain occurrences, an
do not give the affair our praise as sue
cess, we do not 90 this in any captious
hypercritical spirit, but as public journalist
whose best wishes were with the enterprise
and who well understand the great Difficult
ties standing in the way Of everything
the kind in this section of the Union. III
other States fairs are held annually IN al
most every county, and the people have
been for wears conversant with their work
ipgs. The getting up Of such enterprises,
and the enlisting Of popular sympathy III
their behalf is, therefore, comparatively an
easy matter. So, of course, they may be
expected to reach higher grace OF eXcei-
IeIlce than in State like ours, where such
things may be said to have been unknown,
and entirely unappreciated until four years
ago.
Ia organizing their first Fair, in the fall
of 1866, the Association had to begin with
entirely new materials-build, as we may
say-from the ground, on not too good q
IL,
came to hand. Every officer WAS without
experience, every committee man ignorant
of his rights and duties. But rs all took
hold with a will, and worked with enthu-
siasm, the Fair OF that year was pronounced
grand Success. This was an error, and al
extremely dangerous one to fall into. 1t
was not a success as a Fair, compared with
those of other States, far from 1t; but did
very well, considering the circumstances.
u4v wighpr5 hOD6-Cl8C
was about ALL
The fairs which succeeded it, however,
somewhat dampened these hopes. The As
eociation had evidently been somewhat
spoiled by what they considered the tri.
umphant success of their first effort, or had
played out all their stock; and instead of re-
doubling their efforts, have rather left this
annual fair to get Oh upon the strength of
of the newly gained reputation. And 80
they did; but badly; and at the close of that
Of 1869 it was clearly seen that some reforms
must be inaugurated and great efforts made
or they would fail altogether in the future.
But however easy it might be to see that
reforms were requisite, it was no light ques-
ton to decide as to the means to employ.
Experience, they had but little; and, worse
than all, their stock of material with which
to work was but limited, and not first class.
Experience had weakened the confidence Ct
the public in the Judgment of their commit
tees, ard unless they were able to find such
parties as would be acceptable, they could
not hope for sufficient competition for their
awards as would excite the least attention.
And with these obstacles staring them in
the face, the Association commenced gather
ing their forces for the campaign Just finish
ed. The committees were taken in hand,
somewhat in the manner an Old clothes man
would have gone to work upon a lot of sec
ond-hand garments. Where patching was
lal rSol gva~ klnr
garments were let II and, if there was no
single one made new out and out, it was
trusted that the patching and darning had
so altered the appearance OF each that they
would not be recognizable. Long-tailed
coats would serve to cover an unsightly seam
IN the seat, or hard scraping ana pressing
would remove suspicion from threadbare
largo amount of ingenuity, for few of the
rrumbers OF last year suspected that they
would fall into the hands of old acquain-
tances when they entered for competition.
AS much fault had been found last year
with the committees for being partial in
the distribution Of prizes, it seems to have
been impressed upon the minds of the re-
paired ones of this. year to endeavor to
please everybody. And above all, economy
must be always borne in mind and expenses
cut down to the lowest notch, deadheads
cut off, advertising reduced and extra la
borers dispensed with. II was mysteriousy
whispered that "a big thing" was to be the
result and the press requested to announce
that strangers from all parts of the Union
were 10 be present.
And so, the Fourth Annual Fair was OPEN
ed on the twenty-third ultimo. If not an |
exact likeness OF its predecessors, it bore |
too remarkable q family likeness to them
not to have betrayed its paternity. Indeed |
it appeared to US that the one of 1869 had |
been nailed up in box or closed in her. |
Inetrically sealed can, and preserved by the |
opened and finished, just as little boy, at |
lunch time, goes down into his breeches |
pockets and fishes out biscuit, which he |
was unable to devOur at breakfast, but now |
undertakes with renewed appetite. There |
were pretty much the same exhibitors; the |
same faces, and the same unfitness of |
everybody for the duties to which they were
assigned.
The result, rs matter of course, is dis
satisfaction. 1t is a pity-a sad pity; but |
nevertheless too true. II. our citizens wish
to have our annual Fair held in this city.
worthy of the name, they must delegate the
duty to other and more competent parties
The Mechanics and Agricultural Fair Asso-
citation has been found to want the necessary
ability to organize success: We like the
gentlemen personally, but "they can't keep
y hotel"
Where complaint is so general, aad who're
awarding committees are so widely con-
demned, it has the appearance of being
invidious to make mention of special acts;
but we wish to give an overwhelming
evidence that there has been cause OF
complaint, and shall simply mention one
case in point and then close:
In Department 3, Glass No. 2, premium
was offered for the "best assortment of
brass work." This was awarded to Messrs |
Bostick u Seymour, who; we are credibly
exhibited only twenty-five differ.
ent articles, while Iiessrs. Daniel & James
ID: Edwards, who were in competition, ex-
hibited forty-Ihree different u0riet5es of ar
u cfes. ard seyenty-seven pieces more than
shown by Messrs. Bostick & Seymour
Colonel Edwards very naturally protested
asgainst this award, we are informed. but has
failed to obtain the slightest relief. Now |
the question sarises-if the facts stated are
positively true II every particular, and they
are Certified to by honorable gentlemen
how came the committee to make such an
award Even the most casual observer ,
must have been able to detect that Messrs,
Edwards assortment was more complete
than their competitors, for forty-three va
rletles OF brass articles certainly must
appear better assorted than twenty .
tive. Was it not as we indicated above
blessrs. Daniel and James d. Edwards had
already obtained a bronze medel for the dis. :
play OF copper wire: diploma for the best
brass cock made in Louisiana; a diploma !
tor the best brass steam gauge: Diploma Z
Tor the best brass vacuum gauge; diploma
Tor the best Cope u Maxwell's steam pump: .
q oliver medal for the best self acting Oil or
taiiow injector, and diploma for the best /,
OF eyaporating pans for making |
and concentrating syrup or molasses, and
were they to have all the nremiuma or6 |