The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-23
What VIII Richmond DO ?

The good order and excellent arrange
ment, so far as the appointments would
permit, at our last State Fair was subject
Of general comment. and nothing perhaps
tended more to enlist the favor OF our citl-
zens and the people at large towards the
Society than this very feature. IL showed
that men were at the head OF the manage
ment equal to the occasion. so satisfactory
was il that subsequent to the exhibition
the machinery exhibitors went so far as TO
pass resolutions OF thanks to the CHIEF
marshal, Ashton Starke, for his prompt
and courteous treatment, and pledged
themselves to attend succeeding fairs
whenever possible. Mr.. Starke returned
from Louisville some days ago, where he
had been in the interests OF the Society,
and brings back good reports-sufficient,
indeed, to promise our people the very
best State Fair we have ever had.
From the rapidity with which entries are
coming in, especially from distance, 1t is
evidently presumed that the State Fair of
October 81 and November 1 and 2, 1888,
will be an unusually big thing, and so
great is the interest manifested in the grand
competitive military drills that applications
are received from companies in States tina;
cannot compete desiring to attend as or
ganized bodies TO witness the contests.
Notwithstanding that the capacity for the
convenient accommodation OF machinery
and miscellaneous exhibits has been in
creased there will be probable difficulty in
providing space for all applicants.
Our Richmond people are usually late in
their entries, merely because they are on
the spot and it can be done to the last mo-
ment. The 18th OF october will be the
last day i'm which entries can be made, and
those who defer to the last will be restricted
in space and unsatisfactory located. II
is very desirable that our capacities as a
manufacturing city and the character and
quality OF the productions should be dis
played in the most attractive and effective
manner to the crowds OF visitors from all
sections, and we would strongly urge our
citizens to make their entries and secure
proper space for prominent display OF
the specialties at the earliest possible mo-
ment. 1t will be a most admirable time to
impress the general public with the varie-
ty, extent, and excellence OF our produc-
tons and manufactures, which, II displayed
as they should be, will excite the astonish-
ment OF some OF our own quiet citizens,
who have little idea OF the business energy
and vitality in their own city, though often
surprised by the style and number OF build
ings and dwellings rising about them to
accommodate the increasing trade and
population.
Let us have 4 full and worthy exhibition
OF everything made and sold here, and
don't let people wonder why Richmond
men, who have added so largely to the at
fractions Of distant eXpostions, should be
Indifferent to and unappreciative OF their
own. DO not permit our manufactures to
be surpassed in our own market by others
in the same line from afar. Prove your
work by trial and competition, and then
demand that our people, if for nothing
else than personal interest, buy our home
manufactures. What right OF complaint
have you that home people will not patron
lie you you are equally regardless OF the
public interests? Richmond men. this is
pour exhibition, and each man OF you owes
1t TO his city and to his business to make
the State Fair an eminent success. Those
houses and grounds should be crowded
with exhibits from Richmond. Show one
half Of the public spirit OF Atlanta, Louis
vile, New Orleans, Baltimore, St. Louis,
or Boston, and the time will not be FAR off
when our FAIRGROUNDS can be made a
park OF rare attraction and terminus TO
the reservoir drive which will be pride
to our city.
Come, men Of Richmond, brush up for
our coming State Fair, and let's see what
we can do. Shame on the man whose pub
lie spirit does not 90 far enough to make
him contribute Of his means to these pub
lie benefits, and on the company which
will not aid and facilitate these efforts for
the benefit Of our city and State.