The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-12-30
Fair Prospect.

In another place will be found the minutes of
the meeting of the La Sale Co. Agricultural
Society, from which it can be inferred that the
Board mean business and are determined not
ONLY to hold Fair ia Ottawa next season, but
to hold good one. The men having the matter
in charge are well known for their activity and
energy, and are also well known generally in all
things appertaining to fairs. The intention Is
TO organize on solid and trustworthy basis-a
foundation that will command attention, respect
and confidence, and not in the slip-shod form
under which most Agricultural Societies are do
ing business, in which no man is responsible.
They propose to organize in such shape that
every individual stakeholder will be liable for
the failure to pay premums-a system that will
command the confidence of the public, which is
what few associations now hold.
As number of the executive committee are
horse men, it is to be hoped that horses and es-
pecially speed will be given prominent place
in the general programme. One thing is certain,
and that is that the true method to attract a
crowd is the exhibition Of speedy horses, which
can in no wise, if properly managed, conflict with
the general interest of the fair proper, but on
the contrary, add much to its attraction. Or, II
il is thought better to throw out horse racing
during the Fair an effort should be made to gain
an entrance to this Racing Circuit which now
includes Mendoza, Earlvic, Tiskilwa, &c.
As to the amount of money needed by the
Society, it is not large. $1,000 will be needed to
secure the grounds, including all the buildings;
and halfmc track has to be built. That is
about all absolutely necessary, and it can be
easily raised by issuing stock at $50 share. If
the money can be had for it, the ground should
be improved by the setting out of 300 or 400
shade trees in the spring or during the winter.
The grounds are lamentably ill-proyides in
this respect Floral Hall, too, would be greatly
improved bv having floor, by which the terri
BILE dust which always fills it could be overcome.
There is also some talk of fitting up the old
Floral Hall, used as the Secretary'S Office at the
State Fair, as dining room below, and above us
a sleeping room for those who remain on the
grounds at nght--a most excellent idea, and
one that will meet with general appreciation.
One Of the churches in possession OF such Il
dining hall would be the solution OF the question
chow can we dine" in most satisfactory manner
We hope that, in making up the rules and reg.
ulitlOnS, the farce Oh entrance ICES WIZ NC uuOl-
ishcd in toto. 1t is an old fogy policy whose use
lcssness and burdensome effects have long ago
consigned it to eternal darkness save in some
antiquated and fosslizei institutions like the
Illinois State Board. Let US have none of it here
Another curse Of Fairs State Fairs, at least-is
the multiplicity of dead. head passes. Over 5000
of these were insued by the State Board at the
last State Fair IN Ottawa. OF course they didn't
pay expenses. If the crowd had been ten times
as large no doubt the passes won Id have been In
proportion. Passes should be issued for rea
son, aud when properly handled, can be made
the best paying Of tickets, but that every mem
Der of the Board should have 30 or 100 to give &c
his friends and ncighborS for no earthly reason
except that they are friends, is ruinatIon. The
old Society, before the State Fair came, hst
enough of that kind of business, and we hope
the new management will profit by their eXpe'
Renee.