Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-02-19
County Fairs-.The Causes OF their
Failure.
BRANDON, Feb. 10, 1915.

Editor of the Bulletin:
Why is it that it is such difficult mat
ter to sustain county fairs here in the
West, and make them successful? As it
is about the season when the Boards hold
their meetings, preparatory for another
fair, will notice few of the reasons and
offer few suggestions for their remedy.
1.t. The people are much divided as
to the general management of fairs. One
party honestly contends that horse trotting
should be excluded They argue that it is
of no practical benefit to the general farm
err. and that it is injurious to the morals of
the youth; that it is nothing but jockey
ring, &C.; while another party-who are
interested in raising and training fast
horses for carriage and trotting purposes
say if they are to be excluded from
showing the speed of their horses, they
will have nothing to do with the fair
The latter party of course have their influ-
encc, and thus the people are divided.
Now, we would suggest to those who
are opposed to horse trotting at our agri-
cultural fairs, that this is fast age, and
there is an increasing demand for fast
horses, and if trying the speed OF horses
were to be generally discontinued at our
fairs, it would work greater injury to
the society than it could possibly do good
Sometimes it is necessary for us to sacri-
flee little of our personal feelings and
antipathies for the good of the whole.
I'd. Interested and unqualified Judges
Perhaps there Is no one cause that has
done more to bring fairs into disfavor with
the people than this. 1t has nearly ruined
State, District and County fairs, and we
would suggest to the Board that they hire
disinterested, intelligent awarding COM
mittees from other counties, especially on
horses, cattle and hogs, and then let them
neither see OF know the exhibitor. But
let them look direct at the merits Of the
animal or article. This course was partly
adopted at our last county fair, and we
have vet to see the first man who was dis
satisfied with the decisions.
3D.. Inequality Of Premiums. -All will
admit that the animal or article OF the
greatest practical benefit to the greatest
number of people should receive the most
encouragement. But how is it? have
seen 5000 offered for the fastest horse,
and only $15 offered for the best horse for
all purposes, and much less amount for
cattle and hogs This has been great
cause of complaint
4th. The people, in passing around to
view the live stock, are generally inquisi-
tive, and us they come up to nice, large
spring colt, they will inquire "how old it
is" then look at the colt, then at the own
or, and pass on with doubts of his veraci
ty. They then come around to the short
horns, and, seeing nice animal, will ask
the same question, receive in reply, "a
year DID, when it is perhaps 90 months
and 20 days old. Finally they come to
the hog pens. Well, here it is OF no use
to ask any questions, except the price. OF
course | do not wish to insinuatc that the
owner would make any misrepresenta
tons.
Now, / would suggest that every exhib-
itor of live stock be required to make q
statement on honor to the Secretary, when
entering his animals, of its exact age
land weight when rracticable), and that
this be written out by the Secretary on a
card and tackled to the stall or pen OF the
animal
5th. That all games Of chance, pool
selling, lottery devices, &c, that border
on gambling should be firmly excluded.
The farmer is reluctant to take his young
sons and daughters from their rural
homes to be exposed and tempted by gam
bling institutions, such as are often seen
at fairs. We have seen many sons from
their quiet, honest, homes, land some OF
them married, at that lose their hard
earned dollars on what is called three card
monte, by set of knaves who would not
be tolerated on the farmers premises.
9Th Exhibitors should not have the
object in view of making money by ex-
hibiting their stock, but 10 show what
they have, compare theirs with others,
encourage the use of improved stock and
articles, form acquaintances, see and learn
what is being raised outside OF their own
immediate neighborhoods and thus be mu-
tually benefited by the fair
Now, it is evident that the success OF 4
fair depends largely on the interest taken
in it by the people If they can be made
to feel an interest it is sure to be a sue
cess, and we would here suggest to the di-
rcctors that they authorize the Secretary
to send out 900 or 1, 200 postal cards to
farmers all over the county, inviting them
to attend and bring whatever they may
have that is worthy of exhibition. Hop
ing some one else will take up this sub
ject, who is better able to handle it, l re-
main, yours, A. McGowEN.