The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-12-03

The follnwinp from two valuable To

newspapers, VIII we TRUST pe TAKEN as tle
candid expression of very large proper
ton, if not of majority, of the people
of the State, upon question, as we think,
Of vital interest to the actual agricultu-
rists of the conntry. There is no ques-
ton, in our mind, that the high premiums
paid for trotting horses operate material
ly against public morals, as intimated be-
low, as well as against the direct interests
of practical agriculture.
The following from the "Western Farm
Journal" is to the point:
"OUR AGRICULTURAL FAIRS FOR 1875.
The season is approaching when what
ever of tone may be possessed by the fairs
next year, will be given then, by the ac-
ton of the officers in charge, at the meet
ings to be held during the approaching
winter.
The question should be asked, in all
candor, by the men who shape our ami
NAL exhibitions, how much real benefit
have these fairs been to practical agricul-
ture?
The intent of the laws passed to en-
courage agriculture, there is no mistaking
This appears upon the face, is embodied
in the title of every act. The appropria-
Dion made by our Legislature, having only
inview the encouragement of agriculture
within our State, were made, not expect
ing that these appropriations would 60
very far toward paying the necessary pri-
yes and expenses, but merely to form a
nucleus" around which would accumu-
late larger fund, from sale of admission
tickets, etc. Hence the fund received
from these sources, going into the com.
mon treasury with the other is as much
the fund of the people as that received
from the state treasury, and should be as
jealoesly guarded and as judiciously ex-
pended.
The claim sometimes very Improperly
set up, that the managers were at liberty
to pay $500 or $500 to three or four
third class trotting geldings, not in them
selves in any way identified with agricul-
tural practice or agricultural improve
ment, but owned by sporting men, who
are the antipodes-or under all practical
considerations might as well be of the
men who hold the plow or shove the
plane, is a claim of no real force, prop
erly considered, and should be over-rul-
ed
There Is Il class Of men who are ubiqu-
itous, and turn up at fair time as regu-
larly as chickens seek their roost at night,
who have no interest in common with the
farmers, and whose lessons are not such
as orderly citizens desire to place before
their sons. Hence, many stay away, and
as rule, those who stay away for the
reasons hinted at, agricultural societies
can lily afford to spare
When the idea of establishing fairs
was first conceived, and the laws were
first passed to aid in building them up,
the intent was well understood by all.
They were intended as schools, in agricul-
ture and mechanics; as occasions where
farmers and their families could meet
and compare notes, and enter into honor
able competition, competing against each
other in the production of farm stock,
soil products and the handy work of the
household These, with the products
from the work shop, were intended to
make up an occasion in every way suited
to edify and instruct, and in no conceiva-
bic way to lower the standard Of public
morals, nor to detract attention from use
full pursuits, but rather to rivet attention
upon them. Fast horses, slow mules,
the click of the bell to 'go,' the rattle of
wheels, dust and runaways, are modern
innovations not known of in the agricul-
tural nor family vocabulary.
The annual coming together of intiner-
ent horse and show men, does not cover
the entire ground Of complaint. Politi-
clans take advantage of these gatherings,
take up the time and divert attention
from the main business. This should be
discouraged by the officers. Andin short,
in planning for the fairs of 1875, we sub
NIT, whether it is not high time that the
just causes of complaint on the part of
the farmers and the local press through
out the west, be removed, by suppressing
thimble riggers, and the thousand and
one noisy leeches who prey upon the pub
lie under the garb of showing monstrosi-
ties, sleight of hand, ETC., and by offering
the most liberal prizes to useful depart
ments in agriculture, mechanics, and the
household, and the lesser ones to those
things upon which the general prosperity
the least depends, but which ON the other
hand address themselves to the buffoon,
and to perverted public TASTE"
The subjoined, from the Agricultural
Department of the Iowa State Register is
@true as preaching" and if not needed
will soon be felt. Will such warnings be
disregarded?
"The largely increasing interest in
county fairs, and the still more attractive
expositions in the large cities, are telling
seriously on the interest and pecuniary
success of State fairs. They are assum-
ing too much the features of the race