Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-01-02
agricultural.
Reported for the Oxford Democrat
Interesting Discussion at the
Farmers Club, of Paris.

ue IaIultiS tluO met at SVtth - -
on Saturday evening, 10th instant. The
meeting was we'll attended. and spirited
and interesting discussion occurred on
the following questions:
lis it beneficial TO the farmers Of Ok
ford County to allow Horse Trotting a,
our County Fairs"
l.. d. Stacy opened the discussion. and
led off with an impromtu argument in the
affirmative, very ably and eloquently adj
vancing such arguments and ideas as he
had readily on hand at the time, and real
ly seemed to make nearly all the possible
points that could DO urged on that side.
He thought it was beneficial to the farm.
erS. and beneficial TO agricultural socie.
ties to, allow horse irolting. and TO of
fer premiums for the fastest horses. The
farmers at times need relaxation from
labor and toll, and some amusement in
which to engage. Horse trotting is very
exciting, and offers such excitement and
amusement rs the farmer and his family
need. The horse is one Of the most use.
ful animals the farmer raises. Ii is but
justice 10 allow him to enter his horse for
premium Oh account of his speed, as well
IS TO allow him and others TO enter their
oxen on account of their beauty, fairness
or strength. If you exclude trotting,
You exclude one oil the most valuable
qualities OF the horse. The speed OF
horses should be exhibited at the Fairs,
in order that farmers may learn to select
the fastest breed. There are thousands
who pay their money at agricultural
shows solely to see spirited horse trot,
and but few would yisi; the Fairs were it
not for the amusement this excitement
offers. Men and women are thereby in.
duced 10 attend, and are benefited 10y
information obtained from the exam
ination Of useful tools and utensils for
farming, and needle work exhibited al
the Fairs.
II. E. Swasey led off on the negative
and came down on Col. Stacy with an
eloquent and telling argument against
horse irolting exhibitions generally. por-
iraying in lively language and vivid sem
timents, the vicious and demoralizing
tendency of such exhibitions, and such
amusements upon the morals OF youth.
and upon community. lie thought such
exhibitions were neither physically nor
mentally beneficial 10 farmers OF commu-
nifty. but thought they were more detri-
mental in both respects than any thing
we could connect with an agricultural
exhibition. and call il by that name The
men who have The greatest interest in
these Horse Trots," are not the men
whose patronage the farmer ought TO
seek, or whose propensities he ought to
CRAFTY and encourage. Professional gam
blers are sure TO collect at horse tIots
They are gambling institutions. demon
alizing in their nature, and like other
gambling Institutions ought to be reject
Ell and not encouraged or sustained.
The extra speed OF his horSs is of no
particular benefit 10 the farmer unless it
is thrown into the market especially for
the gambler That there is lack in So
ciely in not making proper provisions tor
healthy and innocent amusement he
would not deny, but such amusements
could not be found in horse trots, horse
races. or any kindred thing OF such vie
ious tendencies
Col. Stacy here put in spirited re-
ieiner as the affirmative appeared to go
begging, and no one coming to the les
cue.
4. 5. Thayer followed with Interesting
remarks on horses and horse trotting
He thought farmers should endeavor TO
raise good draft horses and good road
sters." lie thought horse trotting was =
beneficial appendix to the Fairs bat of no
benefit To- the farmers When YOU do
away with the horse trotiing at Fairs.
You do away with the life and spirit of
the fairs and they 20 down
J. ). Hobbs though, horse trotting
beneficial To the farmers, and that it
furnished interesting and proper amuse
ment; tina, lis being the cause and
source of betting ana gambling was no
argument against the propricty of the
thing itself. People could and would bet
and gamble on any or every thing good
or bad. As to the demoralizing tenden.
cy Of "liorSe Trois.- the same might be
said of any other gatherings OF the peo-
pie. Betting on elections was common,
and drinking and fighting occurred at
Fourth Of July gatherings. and even at
camp meetings. Why not as well abol-
ish all such gathering.
5. K. Newell thought that horse trot
ting was NO better than any other kind OF
gambling, and had no better claim on
the patronage of the farmer than any
other species of gambling OF whatever
name or nature. and that in addition TO
it demOraIizing influence on humanity
it was in training and driving, cruelty
practiced on one of the nsblest
animals that God had ever given to
the care of man, that the farmers never
ought to practice or encourage.
Col. SWEET expressed an opinion that
horse trotting was of no benefit whatever
to the farmer, but TO the Fairs he thought
il was Of some pecnniary henefit