St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-14
Time, 2:46; 2:4s; 2:41.

ruH H. '-.-.-...-.-.-....S =
Time, 2:46; 2:45; 2:41.
The closing race was foot race for So for all
over fifteen. II won by F. L.
Murdoch over five other contestants.
This concluded the programme for the day
and week, and the twenty-sixth annual fair OF
the State Agricultural society of Minnesota
passed into history, 1t may not have been as
successful as some fairs have been, but it is not
owing to any fault of the society the people of
Owatonna. who have all of them done what
they could tc make the fair success in every
sense.
Itwas most unfortunate to select place like
this for holding great state fair. The city pos
sesses none OF the necessary features for the
success Of such an exhibition. AS city she
could not furnish enough people to make re-
spectacle showing, and while the people are
generous TO fault, there are not enough of
them to hold fair without vast deal Of help
from other points.
The grounds are too small for large crowd
and were wet and muddy until the last day
that everybody fOlt sick and miserable. Then
again the track is q half mile one and is not a
very good one at that, and no fast time can pos
sibly be made. This destroys the interest
in the races and prevents the attendance of
Another thing, the hotel accommodations are
utterly insufficient and people do not like to take
their chanceswhsn coming from o distance. In
spite OF the fact that many OF the citizens opened
their doors and took IN all they could on We'd
nesdsy and Thursday night vast numbers OF
people were obliged TO ''catch as catch cam for
a cot or the soft side of plank, and one nights
experience Of that kind satisfied the majority OF
people.
There Is growing desire on the part of the
majority OF those who patronize the state fairs
and In fact OF the larger part OF the people OF
Minnesota, that permanent state far grounds
may be located between the two cities Of ST. Paul
and Minneapolis, that may be easily accessible
from both, and where the visitors at the fairs
could have their choice of the splendid
hotel facilities OF tho two great
cities. The great railroad center OF
the northwest It could be reached by everybody
without transfer, aud 1t could indeed be made a
state, instead OF a sectional fair. Il would have
the two great cities to depend upon in case OF a
partial failure OF the attendance OF people from
the country TO make up crowd Then, too II
located there once II would no doubt remain for
long time and machine firms and other ex-
hibitors could and would build private
buildings that would largely contribute
to the elegance OF each annual display IL so
located there are enough wealthy men in the
two cities to form joint company OF $500, 900
capital that would purchase grounds, erect nee
essary Uuliulngs anu construct Inc nn6st full
mile course In America. Zach year would then
bring to Minnesota the best horses In the coun-
try and people from all over the great northwest
People who must come TO one or both OF tho two
cities TO do business would come so as to stay
during the fair, which would at once rival the
gre.r expeditions OF Chicago or ST. Louis Al
though this has been talked often before, there
has never been good q show for its accom-.
piishment as at present.
A general feeling Of disappointment st having
. state fsirin one extremity OF the state where it
can only be sectional concern, exists. A strong
effort viii be made. not only to induce the leg
islature At It's coming session 10 increase the
annual appropriation, but also to locate it as the
people OF the state desire, between the two cities
So may Il be.