Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-10-14
OLYMPIA, SATURDAY MORNING, OCT. IA, 1871.
The Topic of the Week.
at our risk

Deeming it paramount in importance, We
devote this issue of our paper almost exclu-
sively, to the late Mutual Aid Fair On
our first page will be found report upon
the many objects of special interest on ex-
hibitiou, asynopsis Of the remarks Of Judge
McFadden, and on this page We publish
the list Of premiums and diplomas awarded
by the several Committees to the exhibitors
Of articles of more than ordinary merit.
That some dissatisfaction should arise in
consequence of these decisions, is not sur
prising when SO many meritorious articles
we're presented, and choice between them
SO difficult to make, but that the Commit.
tees have discharged their arduous duties
to the best of their judgment, we believe all
will concede. If there is injustice done,
in any instance, it must be considered an
error Of judgment only, and iucite the dis,
appointed party to still greater effort to
obtain more favorable award at the next
annual exhibition. In several instances,
the parties exhibiting, were not the pro-
ducers of the articles which took premiums,
and the awards we're, of course made to the
parties placing them on exhibition. This
appears unjust, but no alternative was left
to the Committee. The premium wheat,
although grown by Mr.. L. d. Barnard,
was exhibited by Mr.. A. w. Moore, and
consequently the latter gentleman received
the diploma for the best wheat, and the
S. 90 cash premium. This is rather an
noying to the producer, we admit, but he
is not altogether blameless, for had no:
Mr.. Moore placed the wheat on exhibition,
it would probably not have been presented,
and thus the best article for the use of the
society been lost and the benefits which
may fow from the use to which it has
been applied.
At the close of the Fair, the fruits and
vegetables were placed at the disposal Of
Gov Solomon, who expressed desire to
send several of the varieties East to cas-
tonish the natives" of Philadelphia. Mr..
Durgin aided the Governor in packing two
barrels with samples Of each variety, care
fully labeled with the name and locality of
growth, and enveloped in paper, for secure
transportation. These with boxes of wheat,
grasses and vegetables, were sent by his
Excellency to Jay Cooke & Co., as prac-
teal illustration of the much that has been
said Of this region as fruit-growing and
agricultural country. This is one of the
results Of the Fair, from which great aud
lasting benefit will be derived.
Those who had given the subject little
or no consideration, were surprised and
grati6ed at the evidences of real talent
in the finc arts as shown by the artistic
decorations Of the Hall. Here were ex-
hibited paintings and pencilings of surpass-
ing merit, executed by ladies and gentle
men in this community, unknown to fame
and who make no pretensions of the ability
they possess. These too, We think, should
have been sent East, as testimonials of the
civilization and refinement of the wilds
where but few years ago "Rolled the
Oregon, aud heard no sound save its ow
dashings."
In conclusion, We must express but the