The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-04-02

We learn that strong effort will be made
to secure the holding of the next state fair on
that an invitation to this end win soon be ex-
tended to the Society. While we have no choice
as to location, we have no doubt the Society
will give due weight to the superior advantages
and generous offer of the city of Lewiston
before the decision is reached.-Maiae Farmer.
The Farmer is mistaken. No efforts have
been hitherto made by Portland people to
secure the holding of the state fair at the new
park. There is no purpose to enter into COM
petition with the enterprising people OF Lew
iston for the fair. The exhibition was sue
cess in that city last year-a result largely due
to the commendable zeal of the citizens OF our
Maine Manchester, of which we are all proud,
Furthermore we are authorized to say that
until the Executive Committee of the State
Society tail to make satisfactory arrangements
with Lewiston, the Presumpscot Park Asso-
citation or any party authorized to speak for
Portland will not make strong effort. We are
further authorized to say that. through cour-
tesy to Lewiston, none Of the above parties
put in bid for the State fair until they were
first requested to do SO by the trustees of the
OJdIC OOCiClJs SohoS4oOhhy WV ~AAS
Farmer had no authority to make the state
ment that Portland was making ''strong eff
fort to secure the next state fair' any more
than, by implication, to give its readers to in
fer that the advantages which the Presump-
scot Park Association have at their command
are inferior to those provided by Lewiston
last year.
First, the Presumpscot Park is located
within half mile of the Maine Central,
Portland & Rochester and Portland q Og-
densburg railroad lines; and, by the present
connections, the cars of the Eastern, Boston
6 Maine and Grand Trunk railways can be
taken to the same points as those OF the
other roads, practically giving the Presump-
scot location the advantage of six railroads.
In addition to this, the park is within few
rods of the horse railroad which communi-
Gates with the heart of the city. There are
two good sized hotels very near the park, and
adequate accommodations in the immediate
neighborhood for all those whose connection
with the exhibition requires their constant
attendance. In addition to this, the hotel
III tuO SlbJ oiO oulPto oh0 "a
! easy access.
IL seems that il the Farmer is anxious for
the success OF lie State Society and partien-
larly its fairs, it might find something in the
past management of the society to criticise or
to make suggestions of Improvement upon
that, at least it might, as the agricultural or
gan of the state, read by thousands OF far
mers and MISUNDERSTANDING published so
much of the treasurer's report as would show
those interested how the money is expended.
The Farmer could very properly devise some
change of policy by which the expenditures
might be reduced and consequently larger
premiums offered. For instance, the treasur-
er's report shows that $236s.4O was paid for
salaries, $5413 for clerk hire; stationery and
postage $292.2S; horseyhire Sill; superin-
tendents $215.3O; board $3.50; printing
$591.43; carpenter work $1398.49; labor
SS73.20,- while but $5,2O1.6S was paid for
premiums, medals etc. Now here is fair
field for suggestions and none can make them
more effectively than the Farmer. We hope
| it will set about this work and as the Society
| has been partially rescued from the control OF
| the few gentlemen who during the past few
years have made it their affair, by the re-or-
ganization of last winter, there lis good rea-
son to be encouraged about the future. There
are those now connected with the Society
who think that its expenditures for service
can b. reduced very largely and that its re-
ceipts may be increased by adopting the prop
er policy.
We may add that if the Executive Com
| mittee of the Society conclude to accept the
proposition which they asked the Presumpscot
Park Association to make, it will save the So
cety from $500 to $4,000 on the exhibition
grounds and stables alone and will save its
officers all the expenditure heretofore re-
quired TO put the grounds and buildings in or
der, as the Association agree to furnish the
premises complete for the fair for less price
than was paid last year for carpenter work
and lumber.