Los Angeles daily herald., 1874-01-23
The Iwo Agricultural Societies.

The TWO Agricultural Societies.
THE Star yesterday gave to the pub
lie the correspondence between Judge
Thompson and Governor Downey, in
regard to the purchase by the new Ag-
ricultural and Mechanical Association
of the grounds and fixtures of the
Southern District Agricultural Socie-
ty. The Judge in behalf of the Asso-
citation, of which he is President, re-
quests Gov. Downey to communicate
to him the price and terms upon
which the S. d. A. Association would
sell their grounds. Gov. Downey cour-
teously replies that his Society does
not wish to sell, but is willing to have
the farmers take the balance of the
stock, and adds that the present stock
holders are willing to give up enough
shares to give the control of the or
ganization to the former. From what
we learn there is almost an unanimous
feeling among the farmers of this Sec
ton of the State against accepting the
proposition to consolidate with the
old Association. Whether justly or
unjustly, the people engaged in agri-
cultural and mechanical pursuits have
come to consider the Association as
devoted to the interests Of the sport
ing men, and feel that with this rep
utation clinging to it, they had better
organize new company, than to iden-
tify themselves with one that in their
opinion has abandoned the object for
which it was organized. We shall not
stop to argue the question whether
they are right or wrong in their esti-
mate of the old society. That is
point on which yearly every man
in this region of the State has al
ready satisfied himself one way or
the other, and we see no benefit in
calling up the matter. But it is GER
tainly the privilege of our farmers and
mechanics to organize an association
for the advancement of their interests
in any lawful manner, and the feeling
that seems to find expression in some
quarters, that they are in some man.
ner reprehensible for their action in
SO organizing, is to say the least
very peculiar.
The Opposition" as the new move
ment is termed, taking business view
of the matter, think they can supply
themselves with suitable grounds and
buildings for the sum of $4,000, and
have them of their own. By taking
the stock of the Southern District So
ciety they, will by the expenditure Of
like sum, only get half interest in
grounds and fixtures not so good in
their opinion. If they choose the for
mer course instead of the latter, we can
see no reason for any one to object.
Neither can we see any good reason
why there shall be any antagonism
between the two organizations. IL,
as a great many Of the stockholders
of the old association assert, it is not
possible to make their annual fairs a
success without an attractive speed
programme as one of the principal
features of the occasion, no one will
object to their continuing their orga-
nization for the purpose of encourage
ing the breeding of fast horses, and If
they can in fair way achieve sue
cess, the people SO far as they are in
terested in such exhibitions will be
gratified. If, on the other hand, there
is a large class of honest and industri-
GUS citizens who object on principle to
horse-racing, and prefer to try the ex-
pertinent of managing an association
for the encouragement of agriculture
and the mechanic arts without adding
the attractions and excitement Of the
race-course, who shall say them nay,
or impugn their motives for SO doing?
That the movement among the farmers
is likely to result in more than mere
"attempt at new society,"" any one
in the least acquainted with the ear
nest feeling among our agricultural
friends, will freely admit, and We hope
that all who have the best interests Of
Southern California at heart, will lay
aside all antagonistic feeling and work
earnestly, but with cordial feeling to-
ward each other, for the success of this
or any other project that win advance
the common good.
WE learn from the Geographic dis