The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-05-28
[COmmunicitcd.l
The State Agricultural SOciefy-Its
BuiIdtugs. &c.


The action OF our City Council, and the
subsequent action Of the Society, with its
ideas suggested as to the erection OF build
ings for the display Of individual exhibits,
prompts me to offer Just thought pertinent,
| think, thereto. The stand taken by the
Council that whatever loan or donation
they made should be devoted TO the erection
Of permanent buildings, under the part
supervision OF lis own "COmmittee on
Grounds and Buildings" was eminently
proper, and. | am sure, meets the full APP
probation OF our citizens and all others who
would see the Society moving towards the
real end for which il was organiZed-n
ly, the promotion Of agriculture and the
mechanic arts.
trust may be pardoned for saying that
the call upon the Council did seem TO me a
fraction presumptuouS, since it is a we'll
known fact that the management during
the past few years has seemingly wantonly
ignored the interests OF Richmond, albeit
she has been the mainstay and support Of
the Society, at the same time having little
or nothing to do in IFS plans and operations,
and what in its conception was intended for
the promotion Of agriculture and manuiac.
lures has apparently been gradually drifting
into an annual cattle mart and borse-race.
There is within the scope OF our State
Agricultural Society a grand power which
should be utilized in promoting the inter-
ests and progress OF our States resources,
and Richmond should see to it that the same
vitality be ins,lled into its working which
she is putting forth in her different branches
of trade.
Now, the idea Of each different establish
ment erecting shantles or houses FOR the
display OF its wares rests simply upon the
question whether we wish batch OF petty
store-sheds, wherein could be found no more
or i'm any more attractive form than Is TO be
seen any day in our streets, or grand display
buildings in which, under the same roof,
like machinery could be compared, arranged
in such order as to give pleasure and graft
fication TO our own people and excite the
admiration OF visitors, whether we want
cross.road village display or a State Agricul-
tural Society exhibition. For my part do
not believe any such buildings should be
permitted. and do hope that should the cit
zens Of Richmond be called upon Tor any
contribution TO the Fair OF this fall that they
will make such with their eyes open and see
to il that we are TO have something credta'
BILE to The State, and not give their money
to child's play.
Richmond has the controlling STOCK tl
the Society, and if it needs be should arouse
herself, disband the old organization, and
inaugurate something abreast with the
times-in ratio with her own progress and
capable OF ultimate benefit to our State and
people.
There is, believe, movement on foot
for display OF Virginia minerals, &c., in
the city during the Yorktown celebration.
This is a move in the right direction, but it
would be vastly wiser to have 1t in connec-
ton with the Agricultural society; bat il
the management OF this Society fail to con-
suit the interests OF Richmond as it should,
let us strike with the new movement, and
lay the foundation OF a Mechanics Institute
i'm the city at once. =.