The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-01-02
Pertinent Inquiries.

can Original Member" of the New
England Agricultural Society writes to
the New England Farmer as follows:
"Take the fair at Manchester, Septem-
Der, 1883, for an example; was that an
exhibition to invite attendance by the
honest farmer and his family, or any citi-
zen who takes pride in his manhood
Was that show anything to be proud of
for the members of the society or the
friends of agriculture ? Was it not, on
the other hand, sad regret and disap-
pointment to all interested in agricultural
improvements, temperance and morality
Was it not one of the most demoralizing
exhibitions ever held in the New England
states? At the agricultural fairs of the
society, the horse race and pool.sellipg
have been seriously objected to- but the
excuse has been, I'VE need them to draw
the crowd to help pay the bills Now,
think it is the first time in its history
when the renting of its grounds for the
open selling of Intoxicating liquors in
various DISCUSSES has been allowed or
countenanced. There were some fifty
places where it could be obtained, while
gambling in its pleasing forms was freely
permitted; all for the purpose of increas-
ing its funds. Probably there was real.
lied $500 or more from that source alone
In addition to the above renting of
grounds there was large tank on wheels,
with good team attached, filled with
beer, at which it took two men to wait on
the thirsty crowd as they drove around
the grounds. The parties owning the
concern, of course, paid for the privilege,
which went to swell the receipts. Again,
in looking over the grounds it was difficult
70 find the most important adjunct to a
successful fair-places where the people
could get good dinner. To be sure, you
would notice signs reading Refresh
ments, etc., but on looking them over
you would find, perhaps, brown bread and
beans, coffee, and in some cases oysters,
but the principal article was liquor, in
some form, and it was the leading article
they had for sale. At the grand stand
there was a sign up, announcing, Fetch
er's Eating House. Now, just step in
and see what you will find there a coun-
ter some one hundred feet long, with all
the apparatus for drinking; the bottles
filled with liquor of various kinds for sale,
similar to any OF the first rate bar rooms,
and small show of anything in the line
of food. If you had walked along to the
easterly end of the grand stand, you would
have found room filled with men, and
an auctioneer in full blast selling pools.
Now, all these operations were carried on
by the sanction of the officers of the soci.
ETY. that is, if they attended to their duty,
for it is well known fact that the parties
that paid the highest prices for the use of
the grounds understood what would be
sold there, and that they should not be
molested. Whether il was the under.
standing or not, they held their ground,
and were not molested by any of the soci-
ety's officers or the police. Now, in all
sober earnest, was that fair any place for
the people to visit ? Was not the whole
thing demoralizing to all, especially to the
young and rising generation, in room OF
improving them, as set forth in the con-
stitution of the society,""