The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-12-18
A Lady's Criticism.


complaints made against the mana
gers OF the fair, the question OF fairly
dividing the premiums, and OF doing
justice to all, is the subject Of IN edi-
torial in Wednesdays paper, and for
once l will humor my fancy, If you
so elect, and show You what l saw,
and l am considered very fair and
reliable critic. Three times L visited
the fair. L saw men of means, own
ing large property in Austin, driving
out in fine equipageS ard entering
free. 1 saw ladies wearing elegant
dresses and expensive jewelry,
wearing over their velvet
sacques, the well-kHown badge,
heralding to all that they were
certainly not on the productive list,
as far as the fair was concerned, TAX
ing advantage of the few hours work
they did or did not do Oh one day--MOn-
day-oughttO go and come free of charge
tho they had worked and watched
over the interests of the association
the whole weary week. Then take up
Sundays paper, 7th inst, and read
down the list OF names and premiums
awarded, aud you will find in one de-
par ment eight awards to one name,
and one to another of the same fami-
ly, and eleven first premiums to an
other person, both officers wives
Then take the premium list of the as
ISOLATION and see what meager show
ing in lnonied premiums you will find
there.
Now, if nineteen first premiums are
given in one year to two people who
go in free, and go out to the grounds
anyway, what is left to give to those
VINO travel long distance from the
country. mourning much expense for
railroad fare, and who pay an en-
trance fee for themselves and families
each day they visit the fair?
l do not say the premiums were not
deserved by those to whom they were
given, but do say-what is beyond
denial-unless there are more and bet
ter premiums than diploma
given to greater number, no one
whose time and means are important
to him, and who cannot afford a
weeks expense for the sake of an in
different holiday, will be willing to
compete for premium or risk his eX-
hibit for any cause so seemingly indif-
ferent as the last several fairs. Now
word about assistants. All ladies
who do assist, aud all their belong
ings, should be passed free the first
day. That Is right. After that they
should pay just the same as other
people. Two ladies are absolutely
necessary, and only two, the balance
of the week. These two (real work.
ers) should have free passes to every
thing of interest, and are entitled to
every consideration and courtesy from
the board of directors and
from visitors; they should lie honored
and encouraged by friendly words and
friendly calls from each member of
the association, because they, and they
only, bear the real burden and feel the
responsibility of the safety of the
main attractions in any fair.
Each horse, and group OF cattle and
coop of fowlS has its personal owner,
and are daily cared fer Individually
by them, but the precious work of
hundreds of patnstaking, skillful
women is heroically surrendered for
the use of the fair-perhapS never
again to be returned to them-and all
is put into the charge OF
one or two women, whose sense
of responsibility is so great that nc
amount of speechifying or racing can
tempt them from their post. The
week of the fair is, to them, week
of in prisonment, and under the past
management, one of ungallant and
shameful neglect. Providing num-
Der of free badges does not provide g
number of conscientious and reliable
workers, by any means, and that is a
matter of daily experience with which
the managers do not seem to concern
themselves. How many directors
showed any attention to the ladies
who so faithfully worked for then
the past week? How many encour
aged and personally thanked them
M. S.