The Republican journal., 1882-08-03
The Maine State Fair.

|
some modification of former programmes
it is expected to eclipse in interest and
variety any of its predecessors. While
few will question the utility of agricul-
tural and industrial exhibitions, there
/ are no doubt many who fail to recognize
| the wide scope of their usefulness or the
extent Of their practical results. 1t must
| be admitted that there are those who visit
these eXpostions merely in search of
amusement-whop pass by that which is
useful and instructive to seek that which
| amuses or eXcites. They ignore the pro-
ductions of the farm and factory to lnger
over display of articles of luxury. The
merits Of a Jersey or a Hereford, of a
Suffolk or Berkshire, fail to interest
| them, but they may be found about the
| race course when a trotting match is on
| They shut their ears to the music of Won
derful machinery, and their eyes to the
| lightning like play of shuttles and wheels.
And while most exhibitions are, in part,
designed to crafty the tastes of such Wis
tors, they should have a deeper and more
practical aim.
Too many regard such an exhibition as
mere show something to please the
eye and to put money in the pockets of
the managers; to draw people from
Il t,n e
to swell the receipts OF railway and
steamboat lines, and OF hotels and board
ing houses anything, indeed, but the
useful purposes they are 50 we'll calcula-
tea to serve, and which promoters and
patrons should keep steadily in view,
The influence eXerted by properly con
Quoted exhibit Of agricultural products
and manufactured articles is felt on the
| farm and in the factory and workshop.
1t records the progress OF a community
in art, agriculture and manufactures. 1t
lncites generous rivalry among produc-
ers, and stimulates the manufacturer and
the inventor. 1t disseminates useful
knowledge and broadens the public in
telhgence. 1t brings the city and the
country together, The farmer meets the
| manufacturer. the producer the consumer,
| the merchant his customers. Meeting on
neutral ground they may discuss matters
of mutual interest The farmer from one
section OF the State meets those from
other sections, and each is benefited by
the others experience and suggestions.
| The fruits ot their labOrs are before them
tor example and comparison one tells
Of the result Of his experiments with a
certain crop-the character Of the soil,
| the mode Of cultivation, and the Weld
/ Another has been successful with a diff
tefynt crop on has produced a new va
iiety from the seed which promises bet
ter than the Old Another has tested a
new fertilizer; another a labor saving
machine, upon whose merits he eXpati-
ates, telling how eNpeditously and
economically its work was performed
| He points out Il similar machine and ex-
| plains its workings Understandings to
his brother farmers. When they return
| t. their farms, after such reunions, they
carry with them new ideas which in time
bear fruit An improved mode of drain
age reclams 4 waste bit Of ground a new
| fertilizer, or different method of cult
Walton brings lands that were supposed
% be worn out and worthless into renew
cd usefulness Labor saving machinery
is introduced, which reduces the farm
expenses and adds to the value of the
crop, and suggestions are acted upon
which bring about an increased yield.
Nor are the exhibitions of less value
to the manufacturer. They afford him
an opportunity to display his wares be-
fore people from all parts OF the State.
Next to the newspaper, this is beyond
| question the best mode of advertising,
and is 50 understood 10y all shrewd bust
ness men, who take care to have their
goods fully represented. The purchaser,
on the other hand, is enabled to Judge of
the merits Of different articles by pract-
cal observation, with the further advan-
operation In this era of progress, so
prolific OF invention, 4 man remote from
| I1ISjnpSG No aar
enterprise under needless disadvantages.
His machinery may have been improved
upon by later inventions, and he first as
certalns the fact at the annual fair He
Is thus amply compensated for the cost
OF his journey, and the inventor and man
utacturer find their profit in an additional
purchaser Of their joint production.
In Canada the usefulness and impOr-
tanCe of these exhibitions have long been
recognized, and they rank among the
constitutions" Of the Dominion. Govern
ment legalizes the Associations by which
they are held. and makes liberal c0ntrbu-
tlnns to their funds. \ further indication
OF their recognized value is the interest
taken by leading men and newspapers in
promoting their success. A like interest
should be manifested here.
We are clad 70 learn that the Portland
Advertiser, which finds 50 much to com
mend in the acts and utterances of Gov.
Paistcd, does not approve Of that Off
cial's attack upon the Supreme Court of
the State in his inaugural message. Gov.
Plalsted characterized the opinions of the
Court as Cheap and oflttlc consequence
anyhow; but the Advertiser says
The opinions of the court on the questions
submitted by Governor Garcelon and the Leg
islature of 1880 were not decisions to be enforc-
, ed in the ordinary way; but they were umi-
nous discussions Of matters of vital Importance
to the state; they We're significant indications
Of the decision which the Court would reach if
the persons concerned should be presented for
conspiracy: tleV were the fortunate means nv