Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-06-05
OTTUMwA, Iowa, !
Nav 81 1S73. [

gressive age, and natures motto being
onward, new developments create
new demands, and as it has become an
established rule that if you want to
secure any measure i'm the interest of
the people, that you must ask for it,,
and not only ask, but in many instan-
ces it is necessary to talk it long and
loud, should you secure ii in the
end. This being the fact, and we be-
lieving the matter, we propose to speak
of one Of greatinterest an done in W hicll
all should feel deeply interested in.
We think it cxpedient TO commence in
time, hoping thereby to awaken an in
terest in its behalf throughout the
State before the fall campain opens.
Is Iowa an agricultural State? Is
she a stock growing State? These
are no longer questions of doubt, but
facts fully set forth by practical de-
monstraiion, as her statistics fully
Aioss, sassis-a. az risrAllnra.- ia tho eourcn
of all wealth, should we not encour-
age every enterprise that has for its
object the fostering and building up
of the agricultural interest of our
State? All will answer in the affirma-
tive.
Then as our agricultural societies
have been created for the purpose of
awakening and stimulating the agri-
culturalists of our country to the im-
portance of high culture, not only of
the cereals, but of raising the grade OF
stock throughout the West, which is
done by their coming together and
comparing products as well as stock.
Some excel, as is shown by the awards
made; this creates strife or rather an
ambition in the defeated party, and he
goes to work with renewed determ-
ination TO excel, and the next season
he puts forth his best efforts with a
two fold view: first to increase his
Golfers; second. that he may carry
away the laurels all o. which is legit-
innate and right. Thus it is that our
agricultural societies are source of
wealth to the country, by creating and
fostering an ambition to excel among
the farmers. Agriculture is the source
of all wealth, and the prosperity of
every branch of business being depen-
dent upon it, just proportion of
wealth created In this way, will go to
every other branch Of business. Is
this enterprise appreciated and prop
erly sustained.
by the masses, we say not, they have
never stopped to consider its func-
lions, and we are compelled to say too,
that farmers themselves, in many Sec
tions, do not sustain our Fairs as they
should; they are too ready to find
fault, and excuse their non attendance
by objections to the line of policy fol-
lowed in conducting them. claim that
man is not justifiable in raising such
objections, unlessh he can offersomething
more than a bare assertion. Let him
come forward and identify himself
with the association, and then he will
be in position where he can work to
cure the evils, and those who are put
ting forth their best efforts to make
our fairs a success, will be more than
thankful to have their council.
There is another draw back to our
Agricultural Societies in many conn
ties, and especially in Wapcllo. We are
poor,and are compelled to rent grounds
from year to year. This is heavy
tax upon the Society, and in looking
around to remedy this drain upon our
treasury, we see but the one practical
Bile way of meeting it, and that is
through legislation. And this is the
point wish to call the attention OF,
every citizen to, that feels any interest
in behalf of Agricultural Fairs.
We must own our Fair Grounds i'm
order to stop this drainage, and make
us self-sustaining. To own them as n
joint stock company does not create
interest enough.
Now orthe remedy. Let the counties
own tnclr IalF grounds, tncn all be.
como equally interested, and feel that
they have voice in controlling them.
and it would also make an incentive
to work in the interest of the Asso-
citation.
This can be accomplished only
by lcvying tax for said purpose.
And said levy cannot be made with
out a special act CT the legislature.
So you see my object in writing the
above is to call your attention to the
Importance of early action on our
part, If. we desire to secure lcgisla-
ton in the premises. / have talked
with many of our heaviest taxpayers
upon this subject and they favor the
idea. And what is true Of Wapcllo
county in regard to this question no
doubt is true of majority of the |
counties in the State. Then let us be |
unit upon this question and petition
our next General Assembly to give us |
. general law governing the case.
Yours &C.,
j. M. RANDrI.