Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-09-07
The County Fair.
A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN COOK.


URANIUM, Sept. ISL, 400 L.
Editor Rutland Herald Il am just in
receipt of the posters and pamphlets of
the Rutland County Fair. notice that 1
am appointed marshal for the eighth time
in succession. l also notice this year the
same as last in large conspicuous letters
these words, Gail Races TO be under the
direction, control and superintendent of
the committee" Now desire to know
what is it's meaning. Is it because the
judges have greater power or faculty to
control races than all other persons, or is
it because they are superior and they only
qualified in the premises, or is it because
there are those entered in the races that
they have pecuniary interest in, or have
prejudices to crafty Who ever saw
such an announcement on a Fair poster
before the last two issued by the Rutland
County Agricultural Society think 1
know where the "shoe pinches.' If you
were present last year and witnessed the
alteration and dispute between the
Judges on the stand, I was, and the doc
tors disagreed, and it was serious time
before the consultation ended.
What is Marshnl's business, I ask
A marshal's relation to fair is in the
same capacity as superintendent of
railroad to the president, and only
subject to his orders. A marshal is ap-
pointed for that express purpose, and
makes his plans accordingly. He studies
his work and makes calculations low the
programme can be carried ont to the let.
ter, so that a class on exhibition shall use
no more time than 10 assigned them and
keep them eff the time of the next class,
and go on. Who is to see to this but the
judges ? My services as a marshal at the
New England and State Fair has been
too long to DE dictated,t to by Committee
when to keep the crowd back or t. stop
and ask the committee whether I shall
stop that team or save that life, or ask
any body else what shall Do utxr
My service in the car aoity Of Mar~hel
ought to have given ne nh-prva,ion
enough to know what my duty i. in that
capacity. In my experience it has been
the duty of the Judges to take their place
on the stand, at the appointed fonr. agree
upon the rules they will a3op', cast lots
for the horses, announcing them to the
drivers, give the word ''go--or come back"
announcing tho time made, settle all
complaints between drivers, and lis'en to
all protests and adjudge upou them, then
wait for the next hest. Call them up at
the expiration OF the rest, and 80 Oh until
the race is completed. This, it spppars
to me, is the business Of the Judges at
race, and not to have the entire control
and uperintendence of the fair grounds
The marshsrs business is TO answer
calls of the various committees, as fer in
stance, cattle. They are wanted by the
committee on that class at a certain point
1t is his business to notify them. He is
to answer civitly all questions from the
crowd, and give Information to strangers,
in order to interest and salty NIL He is |
expected to answer great n my foolish
as well as amusing questions. It is also
the marshars duty to sac the programme
carried ont A race is to come ofT at a |
certain hour; he is to see that the horses
are ready and take their positions, aud rec
that they start in accordance with the |
rules, md DO not spend too much time in
scoring, and to keep off the tune allotted |
to the next race, md see that order j. Oh
served. II thesprogramms is not carried
out who is cecsured not the judges, hut
the marshal.
Now have explained, ia p4r.. the du-
ties OF both marshal and judges. leave
it to tire people to judge who is right or
wrong. | write this TO SIX why that un-
Fortunate insertion Of giving charg. of
all races 10 the committee was put en- the
poster. If they have no confidence in
me. why do they appoint me year after
year? l did not ask the appointment,
neither would I accept under such reso.
buttons. The position is l4borious one,
pay, and pay your ewn expenses.
Let the officers of the society explain.
Respectfully Yours,
A s. Cook