The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-11-25
TIE Agricultural Fair.
IFnr The Disnatch.l

FOr the Dtspatch.l
We notice the editorials in n late issue OF
The Dispatch, commenting upon the letters
that have recently passed between Robert
Beverly, ESD, and Professor Purycar about
the virginia Agricultural Society. its pros
meets. present condition, &C., and are glad
that some onei is beginning to agitate ques-
lion that is vital to the life OF the Society
end beneficial 10 our city.
While we do not agree exactly with you
in some features, we are willing 10 ada Il
mite and sec ii. when all are put together,
something cannot be done that will put the
society upon its Ices beyond the shadow OF
a Doubt. We take issue with you about the
mode Of getting visitors to the grounds.
Offer the attractions and the people will 60.
They will run the risk OF "soiling a new
uit"-yea, OF depicting well-tlied mo-
rocco book.
The races are what attract the people to
all fairs. and why Major Drewry, Colonies
Palmer. Dulany, Beverley, ct id 0mne genus,
have failed TO see this is beyond the writer's
conception.
No one pays a dollar TO see third-class
njav at q theatre. Its Booth, Barrett, Sal
yini. and such, that get the dollars; and
10 III III Ut Nl OAti - W. ~
fractions are there.
Who wants 10 lose half day from busi-
ness to see one race, and that one scrub Z
Otler the purses, and the horses VIII
come. The crowd will go to see them, and
the Society be enriched thereby. You can
not get good horses without an induce
mcnt. and money is the great deSiderat1m.
Get the track into good shape early in the
spring, and keep il so, and owners Of
horses will not be afraid to run their pro-
perry on il. Turn your eye to any pro-
gramme elsewhere, and see how our race
premiums compare with theirs, and then
wonder, il you can, why we do not have
good racing. Let any or ali OF the above
named gentlemen 90 North to fair or race
meeting-PimIico, if you please-and they
will soon see what it is that gets the crowd.
Thousands Of Baltimorcans pay $3.50 to so,
and go every day.
Let the cars alone, and keep the money,
where il will be spent, right here, by going
out in the innrmerable vehicles that viii
always be found upon this OCCASION.
Suppose money enough was offered TO
induce the stables Of the Lorillards, Bel
mont, Bowie, Dyer Brothers, and the like
in the running line, and OF John Splan,
Dan Mace, Jack Phillips, and John Muir
ply in the trotting line, how many people
would be left at Lynchburg, Norfolk,
Danville, Petersburg, and, in fact, all
around us, during the three or four days
that were given TO such trials of speed rs
would be seen If those luminaries were to
visit us? Once get such to come, and the
money that is promised to pay the purses
with will not only be found in the entries,
but the gate-receiptS will swell into a fund
that will sweep the debt that is now hang
ing over like a funeral pail. Let there be
Jour races each day, and good ones, and
10000 people will go, and go each day, and
[ mean people that will pay 80 cents at the
gate and - cents at the grand stand.
Let The Society try this plan once. They
have tried every other, and are now S25,-
600 in debt.
The land products are all well enough as
auxilliaries, and creep in as a cloak to
some to 90; but let the bugle sound for
the horses, and the surging mass OF hu-
mainly will be seen vending their way to-
wards the stand, and they will stay there
until the struggles are over.
There is some talk about Jockey club
being started here. Let the Society en-
courage this one-they killed the other
and work tremendously, and my word for
il, the feeble, pickering flame that is now
struggling for its existence will grow into
grand light, that will not only be a credit
TO itself, but an honor to our city and State.
A LIFH-MEMBER,