The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-09-12

tne BuOlecI OF HORSE lrOtllnS sSeHlo "
be again attracting The attention and
eliciting the condemnation Of class
Of people, who, we scarcely believe
can have given the matter that impair
tial consideration which its import
ance demands. While we admit the
force of some of their objections
to this species of attractions at the
Fairs, we desire to add, in justice to
this subject, that, like all. others, it
has two sides
All will admit, the prime objects Of
the fairs are for educational and So
cial advancement. After weary days
and months of toilsome labor Of
spring and summer seasons upon the
farm and in the workshop, it is a re-
lief to the farmer and mechanic, to
take with them their families and visit
the fair grounds to compare the pro-
ducts of their industry, and spend q
day in social recreation. 'l3
In order to accomplish the most
good at these gatherings it is import
ant to assemble the largest numbers,
and that the entertainment be made
the most attractive. The Church un-
derstands this, when they fit up at
great expense such inviting places OF
worship, and employ the best organ
ist and finest quartette to beprocured'
The merchant, desirous of disposing
of his goods, understands this, when
he puts his store in the incest condi-
ton to invite patronage. You could
scarcely expect an exhibition Of ruta-
bagas, fine display Of swine, and a
few draught horses, to make up an at
tractive show that would entertain
the people for couple Of days. BY
no means. .. t
The fact is, our community is made
up of diversified interests and tastes
and the managers should study what
will interest them all, and prove the
most acceptable to the whole Ar
rangements are made for the recep-
ton of products from the farm, the
workshop, the mechanic arts; and a
desire has been manifested to encour-
age all who will assist IN the display
ct the fairs. Ifa farmer has herd Of
cattle, he is invited to the grounds to
exhibit them. Their nice "points"
are witnessed and admired. But ii
another has, at great pains and ex-
pense, reared a fine colt or horse
(which we believe TO be the most use
ful creature God has created for the
use of man) should not he also have
an opportunity Of showing that he
has been laboring to develop crea-
ture that interests him. Suppose his
neighbor also has another, which he
thinks equally as good. Can there
be any harm in comparing them p
Certainly not.
II, kind reader, you were to pur-
chase a horse for the carriage, would
you not prefer one able to take you
ten miles per hour in preference to
one that could road only five miles
per hour? If there is n preference,
and that quality enchances the value
,of the horse, why should not agricul-
turar societies encourage breeding
from such stock as will produce the
most value? II by so doing a colt is
reared able to make his mile in three
a minutes, or even quicker, who OBJ
jects9 But says the member opposed
to horso-trotting ats effect is de.
moralizing. 1t leads to gambling"
May we not ask if those disposed to
bet upon the horse-race could not as
well bet upon the strength of oxen,
Or the weight of swine 7 Could they
not as we'll bet upon the draught Of
horses as upon their speed "But
the interest of our fairs is absorbed in
horse-troLtihg, more attention should
be given to other departments" he
he adds. AS well might the preacher
complain that stoo much interest in
our meetings is absorbed in the sing
ing,'o Music is not only a part of the
worship but il attracts many to church
that would otherwise never hear the
word Of God, .oea
The display OF horses and other
speed at our fairs has the effect to at
tract a large number Of people, thus
increasing the receipts and attractions
Of tho exhibition. If other depart
ments have not received tho atten,
tion they deserve will not those inter
ested in them mako q greater effort to
excel? +? Objections have been made
to paying 50 large premiums 10 fast
horse men" 1t is well understood
that in order to compete for trot-
ting purse the owner of the horse
must first pay an entry fee Of much
larger percentage than the exhibitors
of cattle, swine and other articles, II
most frequently occurs that the esocio.
ties receive almost enough funds from
entry fees 70 pay the full premiums on
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