The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-11-30
ea,o,,el wna1AM 6. Kxrour, recently the

nresideut OF the Virginia state Agricuitu-
ral Society, has favored us with the follow
ing interesting article in regard to that So
c,etv and some OF the difficulties 1t has had
10 encounter. II is none too soon Tor the
questions TO be discussed which have been
,aised In our own and other articles on the
ublect. We place o high estimate upon
tho value OF the Society TO Richmond and
10 the State at large. We are more than
anxious 10 see it prosper. We snail loid
ourselves ready at any and all times to do
all that in our power lies to promote It's
prosperity. But we are so thoroughly con-
yinccd that the Fair-Ground.m be made
accessible by railroad before the Fair can
ever again even so much as pay its own
expenses. that, until we are better informed,
we shall never be able to advise any money
20 be loaned or gwen TO the Society by any
corporation or other person not acting for
itself or himself. Every man can do a. he
will with his own; but that is not the case
with persons who have the charge OF other
people's money, aud the power TO appro-
pirate II 10 such uses as to them may seem
advisable. Persons acting in any hduciary
capacity. or carrying any trust, must con-
slider only the question OF product'veness,
or Weld, or interest, after they find the
security sufficient. One OF our largest
wholesale merchants and one Of our clear
est-hcaded lawyers have told us, though
they have written nothing on the subject,
that We are right as to the necessity for
railroad Transportation to the Fair. Others
think differently. We await further light
from those who are qualified to shed it
upon the questions involved:
The state Agricultural Society.
Editors of Dispatch: / have read with
interest the leading editorial in your issue
~ fine Odd Instant on the subject of the state
Fairs. agree with you fully IN the gene
raj sentiments expressed, and that, in the
nresent condition OF The Society, no time
should be lost in having such a perfect I'M
derstanding amongst its members and
friends as will lead TO and promote It's fu-
turc success. The fact is indisputable, II
not fully admitted, that the Society, since
It's organization. tWenty-eight years ago,
has greatly promoted the agricultural and
other material Interests OF the state, ana
that no community has been more benefited
than the people OF Richmond. Six months
or more ago YOU published in your paper
several COMMUNICATIONS from me on "the
relations OF the city OF Richmond to the
state Agricultural Society," in which en-
deavored 10 impress on the people OF the city
the importance OF q greater interest IN the
affairs Of the Society; and, indeed, re-
sponsibility, arising from the fact that the
membership in the city and contiguous
counties outnumbcred all other portions OF
the State. The statement in this connec-
ton was made that twenty-five years ago
There were only pinehttbTee lifc-memberS
OF the Society in the city, whilst now there
are more than fire hundred, and that in all
other portions OF the State, excepting the
counties OF IIenrico, Chesterfield, and
Hanover. the decrease ranges from 10 to
60 pcr centum. This does not prove that
the Society is localized, and in any way less
2 state institution than ii has always been.
The circumstances of the war, which inn
poyerished the landowners and farmers,
did not impair their interest in the Society,
but only rendered them for the time I'M
able to contribute TO it. Trade and COM
merce brought better resources TO the city,
and hence It's rye increase in the member
ship.
The point now is that the country and
civ should understand each other, and
there should he no antagoniSms, for the one
is dependent on the other. The PROPOSE
ton that the city shall loan the Society
-,n- q, = o,f ID - a
opportunity for such an understanding.
You withhold your opinion as to the pro-
priety OF this loan, or gift, as you suggest,
and this latter would be much more in con-
iormity with the true interests and previous
liberality of the city. You properly say
''that the State Agricultural Society Is so
well calculated TO promote the prosperity OF
this city that we who live here should never
dream ior one moment of allowing it TO
perish for the want OF a little credit; but
/ will remark that it is not so much pecu-
niGrg credit il wants as the confidence and
active support of the people in whose midst
its principal business is transacted. Give
it this, 10y any way you please-and you
have the power to do it--and then the So
ciety, under wise councils, will continue
to be IN the future as in the past,
an important agent for the promo"
ton OF all the material interests
Of the city and the Commonwealth. The
loan of S25, 900 by the city in its per cent.
bonds, with the ample security offered, will
enable the Society to fund its debt at low
rate of interest within the provisions Of its
charter; and the debt being thus provided
for, the only question remaining is: How
The Fairs and other work can be made sue
cessfu in the future? The matter OF trans
portation to the grounds, as you admit, is
one OF special importance, and one that has
been very embarrassing for the past three
years. Much labor has been bestowed on
il by the officers OF the Society, and their
efforts in this respect are unknown to the
public. 1t may he well to mention the
cause of the suspension OF the railway trans
portation from the Eighth-street depot OF
the Richmond and Fredericksburg rail-
road, and the difficulties which have been
encountered to have it restored. Six or
eight years ago few OF the businessmen
OF Broad street fled bill in the Chancery
Court OF the city asking that perpetual
Injunction he granted against the
running of cars propelled by steam on this
street, alleging that they were nuisance,
and seriously impaired the trade and pro-
perry values Of that portion Of the city.
/ The injunction was denied by Judge Fitz-
hugh, but, on appeal, was granted by the
/ Supreme Court. These legal proceedings
L Il