The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-03-11
AGRICULTURAL.
AericnIturnI Horsetrots.

Since most of the agricultural societies in
Massachusetts that are recipients Of State
bounty give great prominence to the horse
trot at their annual exhibitions, it becomes a
question how far the State expenditure is
justifiabe in providing mere amusement for
any class of its citizens, and especially where
the Accomplishments of any particular sport
are demo1alizing in their tendency. In the
encouragement of any occupation or profess
sion 1t would seem that State aid should be
confined within the limits of purely educa-
tonal measures, to the exclusion of those
which have only amusement to recommend
them. The education of its population is
legitimate work for commonwealth, while
matters of fun and sport properly belong to
individual enterprise and private measures.
A large majority of the community, while
willing to be taxed for the announcement of
agriculture and the production of cheaper
food, object to providing at public expense,
such questionable amusements as horse trots,
base bail matches and the like.
The annual State bounty should be with
held from any agricultural society that ap-
propriates funds for horse trots or similar
sports. Such practices, as well as permitting
the sale of liquors, the license of gambling
devices on the fair ground, have been de-
Tended by the managers on the plea of eX-
pediency, from the fact that larger crowds of
people aud more dollars were attracted to
the general exhibition. Does the end justify
the means? If it is only the horse racing
that farmers and their families desire TO wit
ness at the Fall shows, why denominate such
gatherings agricultural fairs? Why not cal.
things by their right names and advertise
such entertainments as horse races? How
ever, it can be plainly demonstrated that the
farmers are not the class who inaugurate or
10 IN anti
ly foreign to the best interests of agriculture
that prostitutes the opportunities presented
Dy farmers fair to the scandalous opera
lions OF sportsman's carnival. The farm
ers are outnumbered and outgeneraled by the
horse jockeys, and many society that had a
prosperous future before it in its legitimate
work has been weakened and loaded with
debt to subserve the interests of a crowd of
sporting men.
Speed is unquestionably an important ele-
ment of value in the average horse, yet when
it constitutes the single point of excellence to
the exclusion of most other good qualities, it
is unworthy premium at farmers fair.
Admitting the foregoing facts, which large
proportion of practical farmers are willing to
do, the query is naturally suggested: Why
should horse racing be encouraged or per-
mitted at our annual agricultural fairs? 1t
is largely due TO the absence of back bone on
the part of our State Board of Agriculture,
who dare not use their influence in prevent
ing these disgraceful proceedings. At a re-
cent legislative hearing the Secretary of the
Safe Board of Agriculture testified that he
would not lecommend the adjustment of
the existing practice of horse racing at farm
ers' fairs, and that any action of the Board
in that direction would be an exceedingly ar
btrary proceeding. Another member stated
that while he, with number of other mem
bers, was bitterly opposed to horse trots a.
agricultural fairs, yet the advocates of horse
racing were in the majority in the State
Board, the latter believing it too great a
source of income to be triaed with or abol-
ished.
At the same hearing the House Chairman
of the Committee on Agriculture, who is also
an ex-president of the old Hampden County
Agricultural Society, stated that at one time
that society was in good, prosperous condl-
ton, until captured by the horse-trotting
fraternity, who hed loaded thr society with a
debt OF over $4,000 and ruined them by
horse racing. For seats alone to accommo-
date the racing the society had spent $751;
600. These sporting men would secure fifty
to seventy-five new members to the society
on the eve of election for officers, not one of
affairs in favor of horse trots. These pro-
ceedings Disguised the farmers, many of
whom declined to participate in the annual
fairs. The president of the Essex County
Society, B. P. Ware, gave evidence of SIM
liar opinion. He stated that notwithstand-
ing several attempts had been made by the
horse trotting rings to wrest the management
of this society from the hands of the farmers
all had proved unsuccessful, the Essex Coun-
~ Society had never paid dollar for speed
in any shape. Other prominent agricultural
lists expressed the opinion that in proportion
as the interest in horse racing was encour-
terest in agriculture diminished. 1t is to be
hoped that the chosen representatives of the
people will check this nefarious business BY
Withholding all State bounty from those So
cieties that favor horse trotting before grain
raising and other legitimate branches OF hus-
bandry. Let horse racing be conducted with
in the limits of the race course, and without
invading the fair grounds of the legitimate
agricultural socletY.-Americon CULTIVATION.