The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-02-15
How to Run the lyon County Fair.

How to Run the Lyon County Fair.
EDITORS NEWS: How shall we conduct
our agricultural fairs so as to give the
greatest amount OF satisfaction to the
largest number OF people! In other
words how can we conduct them 40 as to
make them . successf In making out .
premium list and programme we have =
great many different kinds Of people to
please. We have the horseracing people
that when they 60 to fair cannot see
anything but ''fast hoss." They care
nothing about the display Of farm pro-
duets, fine arts, machinery or anything
else but the "hoss'' that 10 going 20 win
the first heat. Now, Mr. Editor, we do
not object to the tryal Of speel. We do
not think 1t inhuman to test = horses
speed, If properly done In legitimate
way. Our idea Of encouraging the trials
OF speed is this: Ofer purses for home
horses, say $40 for the Nurse that can trOt
y mile the nearest GO thrss minutes, or
four minutes, Just ~ the association sees
1T This would make ''heaps'' Of fun and
there could be no show % jockey. This
would bo one race. AApIug race might be
ihti oduced. A purse mighk be offered 70
the horse, that could froE mile the near
est to i've minutes. You can readily see
that there would be very little chance for
pooling, and ali would have chance to
enter their fAv0rite horse TO try his bot
/ tom. We confess that we have not got q
very warm side FOR the professional
horse racer. But people must b ave amuss-
ment. some are satisfied to 60 TO fair
and see the fine stock OF cattle, hogs.
sheep, poultry and other animals and
fowls, while others would go to see some
thing In the way OF amusement. be-
iIeve It Well to offer = handsome premium
for fOot race. The boys and yOung men
will run for money. Another purse might
be offered for grand pig race. In addi-
ton would recommend purse for draSt
horses By accuaI test. 1 cannot see that
testing . horses strength IL any more
cruel than testiag HE speed. For our
part, we would rather pun our horse &
good solid pull than 80 trot him around
the track from three % six times In the
course Of two hours down 20 his level
best. In regard to, other features Of .
fair, 1 would oder premium Of 500 to be
divided into 1st, I'd and Sd premiums fol
oranges that will make the best display d
farm products, the ORANGES competing tS
pay small entrance Zee. say %, not Lea
than three oranges to c0mpete' and q
many more A. wislr to. would alsS
recommend liberal premium for ,
blowing match for young mel
and boys, as they do most Of TIE
plowings and we belisgs- good ploW-
ing TO be the key to good farming. and
thAt asncultareis the 70 uadatioa Of Al
other industries. We believe il ought no
% be overlooked at eur agricultural fairs
There Is = great deal Of FAULT found Of u,
! way our fairs are conducted. and IN
; complslnt mostly comes from the agricuE
tural class. They say ne principal fear,
ure Il horse racing and We viii have noth
ing TO do with Il until ycu cease payinl
30 much money oua % the speed ring
As We have said before, set rs held on
inducenenls FOR home Asfses. We ean
not expect % get horses to come herr
!. IRON distance unless We ofer large pur
{ ses, and tken 4 q d5rbtznI II We get an.
Z lspeed. PDoilng VIII b done ana on
( money taken without value rendered, .
q ia generally the case
These are some Of our Views throw,
l1ossshsf and Wal cost nothing, and YOU
! gentle readers, can falre them for Wha
, tee3'Are EoftA- I'll. RrRAI-