The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-02-09
A CARD I'D.
To the Legislature and the Public.

I 10 the Legislature ana the Public.
At a called meeting of the Board of Directors
| of the Mississippi State Fair Association
! held on the evening of the Both instant the
| attention of the Directory called pro
| ject introduced into the House of Representa-
tives in the shape of a bill entitled An act
to incorporate the Mississippi Agricultural
! and Mechanical Fair Association, unjust
in its propositions and so inimical to the in
terests of the Association already organized,
| that il seems incumbent upon the Directory to
| make a statement for the information OF the
Legislature lest the members and the public
may be misled by what may seem plausible
its face, but which virtually supplants the
Association already established, and under
whose auspices two State Fairs have been sue
cessfully held.
The importance of reviving annual State
Fairs seemed manifest that association
of stockholders was organized in this city, in
1863, and after many disadvantages and draw
backs a fair was held in November of that
year The of the public grounds east of
the capitol was granted by the acting Cover
nor and expensive Improvements were made.
The first Fair left the Association in debt to
the amount of $1,000. 1t order to hold the
second Fair Gin October last), it was found
necessary to make about $4,000 additional i'm
provements. Toward the payment of the latter
expenditure, the last Fair contributed 5000
leaving the total Indebtedness about 5000.
1t was in view of this state of facts that the
stockholders, at the annual meeting held Just
succeeding the last Fair, appointed a committee
20 a ply to the Legislature for a cha grant
ing n Assoc ion the use OF the grounds
and asking 10. an appropriation sufficient
10 relieve the Association of existing in
debtedness, so that the Directors might be
enabled to make arrangements for the next
and succeeding Fairs on an enlarged aud
liberal scale. We undertake to say that
there is not a single stakeholder that contri
huted With a view to realizing any profit
for his investment. We believe that all
were actuated solely by becoming public |
spirit; and for thi- Directory. we assert that |
our time aud Iabors ha, been chee:fuIly |
and gratuitously given, besides mourning
personal liability.
Pursuant To Lne wish of the stockholders |
the President of this Association. DIR j. O. |
Wharton. had a hill presented in the Senate |
some four weeks ago, somewhat similar to /
the DILL which Was 80 IaNorably considered |
at the last session OF the Legislature. Since |
the introduction of that bill in the Senate.
other parties have had bill presented in
the House, modeSJly asking possession OF
the grounds now occupied by the State Fair
Association. and also an appropriation of
ten thousand dollars, to enable the . stock
holders" ro hold IA State Fair. etc.
We submit to the Legislature and to the
puUlic LnaL LnIS seems 10 be an uugenerous
flank movement against the efforts of the
public spirited and liberal citizens who
nave contributed OF their private means, and
who think that they can NTH propriety ask
such cooperation and aid from the Legisla-
Uure as will enable them to make the State
Fairs of Mississippi equal to any in any sec
zion of the country. We are not anxious
suppliants in the premises. If there is
merit in the bill for the incorpore tion of our
Association, now before the Senate, and if
the public good can be promoted by its
granting. we respectfully ask its passage.
ResolV ed. That the Secretary be Instruct
I'd to furnish the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President of the
senate each with \ copy of the foregoing,
and that tn city papers be requested to
publish the same.
VIM. B. TAYLOR,
Chairman.
J. l.. Power,
Secretary.