Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-10-19
our Augusta Correspondence.
AUGUSTA, GA, Oct. 18th, 1871.

Grand Annual Fair,l which commences
on the 31st instant. The officers and
committees of the Esir Association have
put themselves upoR their mettle, which
simply means that, with tho hearty CO.
operation of our citizens, they are deter
mined not to be oyershadowed by any
similar exposition appointed for tho sea-
son in the. South, whether in respect to
attractions for visitors, or completeness
of arrangement for the convenience OF
exhibitors. The entries made up TO the
present time are varied and extensive,
with every prospect of increase to fill
the capacious exhibition halls and take
up every inch of the grounds allotted to
Stock, Cattle, Cotton, etc. OF course, old
Edgefeld will be largely represented in
the display of articles in all departments,
if her people, as there is every reason to
believe, remain true to their ancient re-
nown for culture, thrift, enterprise and
industry; that she!Will bear away good
ly proportion of tliAnumerous handsome
premiums oflered there can be little
question, if her efforts to do SO shall cor
respond with her ability to warmly coil
test the belt OF excellence in whatever
contributes to the wealth, virtue and ma
terial prosperity ofthe country
Compelled by business connections in
New York, DIR. WsH. Tut has retired
from the Office ofPresident of the Fair
Association, position which he has fill
ed with lasting credit to his accomplish
ed administrative ability, and the most
substantial benefit Of the corporation
over which he was called to preside at
it's organization. Ever active, Jealous
and watchful in advancing the interests
of the Association, his labors in behalf
of this great interest Of Augusta, often
at the expense of Individual advantage,
provoked universal expression of the
truth that he VAST the right man in the
right place" By shis removal to New
York, Augusta loses one of her best citi-
zens and most enterprising merchants.
He is succeeded infthe Presidency of the
Fair Association by P. j. Berckmans,
Esq, the widely Known and highly ac-
complished foristand horticulturist. The
constant and very5e deficient labors of Mr..
Berckmans to promote the success of the
enterprise, with which he has been per
manently identified since its inception,
gives assurance tgat the mantle of his
predecessor has fallen upon worthy
shoulders. The Association is fortunate
in securing chietsso heartily in earnest
in their great Wprk, and withal so
thoroughly qualified for tho position TO
which he has beeDcalled.
The vote, on the 4th inst, upon tho
proposition to cnlt trge tho Canal, elected
response from oily 92s voters, about
one-third Of the {4dng population. OF
these, 147i declahd against enlarge
ment. But few ne foes voted. While this
cannot be clainsadIz>sSl an expression of
the voice Of a majority of city voters, the
indifference of the large number who
failed to vote can only be regarded as
acquiescence in the scheme, upon the
generally accepted opinion that "silence
gives consent" Some legislation. will
doubtless be necessary in advance Of the
commencement OF the work, to provide
against interruption of its progress by
such property holders as may elect to
exhibit their opposition through the
machinery of the Courts. This will cause
a delay in the beginning Of tho enter
prise until after the Session of the Leg
islature.
The prompt and enthusiastic move Of
the public-spiritcd citizens of Edgeficld
i'll regard to the proposed railroad from
Laurens via Edgctield to Augusta, as in
dicatcd-i in the action of the meeting held
on the I'd instant, betokens the most en-
couraging prospects for this new connec-
ton, which promises, if perfected, great
material advantage to Augusta. That
our philosophical Mayor was so mind
full of the prospective interests of Angus
ia in the prospective as to have the city
represented by Capt. o. N. Butler, (oi
the house of Graham &; Butlor,) who has
recently cast his fortunes among US, is
evidence that our people are not insensi-
BILE to the importance of tho enterprise
projected.
There has been but comparatively a
small increase of general trade during the
week, notwithstanding the improvement
in the price of cotton over the quotations
ruling at the date of my last letter.
Money is consequently tight, very tight,
although our business men remain cheer
full i'll the hope of a prospective avalanche
of business, SO soon as the staple shall
have touched figure at which planters
will yield freely to buyers. Tho receipts
at Augusta for the present season to the
close of the commercial week ending on
the 9th, reached a,67s bales, against 20, ,61s
for the same period last year, exhibiting
difference of 10, $40 bales in favor of 1870.
Claiming special mention, as an enter
prise of the most conspicuous magnitude
and importance in advancing the COM
mercial facilities of Augusta, is the capa-
cious and imposing new Store House be-
ing erected by those entcrprising dry
goods merchants, Messrs. James A. Gray
81 Co. The building has progressed suf-
fciently to indicate something of its ulti-
mate ornament to our principal business
thoroughfare. The appreciative visitor
cannot fail to admire its towering proper
tions, magnificent front, architectural
beauty and perfect adaptation to the pur-
poses for which it is to be used. Every
detail of construction has been arranged
in accordance with the most cultivated
taste, prompted by n aliberality unstinted
in its exercise. Of metropolitan grandeur
and elegance ii design, it would be es-
teemed an ornament to any city, and,
under tho management of such accom-
plished and ourteous merchants as
Messrs. Gray g. Co. it is destined to de-
vclop new era in the dry goods trade of
Augusta, and become the greatheadauar-
ters for all such supplies required by the