Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-26

We arc forced to the belief that county
fairs, as an institution, fail in many points
to meet the reasonable expectations Of those
who ought TO be benefited by them, and are
most interested in them. Without under
taking to designate particularly, at this time,
the points where this failure is most con-
spicuous (since we think most readers will
readily agree with us as TO the fact), we
wish to make a suggestion which appears to
us worthy Of consideration. Eight or nine
years ago, before the grange existed, even in
the minds Of It's projectors, we were ourself
deeply impressed with the need for a better
organization Of the farming interest having
in view substantially the same ends as those
pursued by the oranges. Our own plan so
far as il hal taken definite form, consisted
in the establishment Of local farmers clubs
county and slate agricultural societies-thc
first to be auxiliiary to the second, and the
second TO tho third something after the
model Of the Bible and missionary societies.
We advocated the idea through the press,
and went 50 Ear as 10 secure the organiza-
ton of largo and successful club, in which
the most prominent ideas of the grange were
embodied, and especially the idea of co
operative purchases But we reckoned with
out our host, for the trading interest (mer-
camille aud POLITICAL was aroused at once,
and SO potent was its resentment that not
only was the club "squelched," but its orig
inator was pursued with a vengeance which
sought nothing less than his utter ruin.
Such fre-brand among the farmers, it was
thought, deserved no more mercy than
hawk in chickenyard.
We survived the onslaught however, and
have now the satisfaction of seeing that nm
fortunate club replaced by one of the most
thriving oranges in the state, which buys
more than fifty dollars worth Of goods where
the club bought one. And being part Of
a general organization, local combinations
against it are utterly powerless to destroy it,
or 10 punish its leading spirits
The farmers of Vermont are at length
arrayed successfully in oranges and the es-
tablsbment Of county councils together
with the State Grange, gives us substantially
the same system we desired to see, and have
not died without the sight. Now why can
not we have our county fairs under the SUI
pervision of our county councils? This is
the suggestion we desired TO make What
is to hinder a grand grange fair in every
county? And if our State Agricultural
Society has outlived its usefulness, or fallen
into bad hands, as some are claiming, what
shall prevent the State Grange from holding
grand and successful state fair2 We sur
render the floor to any who desire to ex.
press their sentiments on these questions.
Since writing the above, the full text OF
Worthy Master Colton's address TO the State
Grange has reached us, and we find that in
it he has, to some extent, anticipated our
ideas, as given above. With such an en-
dorsement, we feel still more strongly the
feasibility Of efforts in this direction. Brother
Cotton says
The question OF the feasibility Of holding a
state fair under the auspices OF the Patrons Of Ius-
bandry has been discussed by members OF the or
Ger during the past year. That we have the facil-
tiles for holding such fair, and making it a sue
cess, all agree; that such fair should be held
many are anxious. should the order take hold Of
the matter, they would work It upon Just and
equitable principles and their fair would be an
honor TO them, and a credit to the state Such a
fair would bring gethor larger class Of cxhbi.
tors than usual, and such an exposition would be