Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-02-05

| o0oo' quCio uioSuSbtuu al0 mSSUiHS VI
the 18Th inst, indicated a want of fairness
on the part of Augusta, or desire to as
sumo the increased Responsibility alone.
But, on the contrary it was to share with
her sister counties the labor and the honors
which the Increased opportunities and
enlarged competition would entail, but
with no apprehension as to the position
she would occupy in that union. Loca-
ton, in,ersecting lines of travel and trans
portation and a reliance upon the enter
prise and public spirit of her citizsns are
the bulwarks of her faith.
The truth Of history" compels me to
deny any charge against the unimpeach-
able fairness of her people who have ever
supported men and measures calculated
to advance the interests of Virginia, re-
CARELESS of local prejudice. If my friend.
Col. Ross. IS in earnest in his opposition
to this association with Augusta and ad-
jacent counties" for the purpose indi-
Gated, regret it, because he possesses lin
addition to fund OF humor) energy and
enterrrse which, If directed by interest in
this movement would largely contribute
to its success, and if be can disabuse his
mind of the impression made, we will well
come his counsel and CO operation in the
meeting of February 175h to further con-
slider the matter. L am happy to know
that this opposition (if really is not shared
to any great extent by the people of the
good county of Rockbridge who, while
sustaining their local fair. have heretofore
contributed to the exhibition at the Bald
win Augusta, and 1 confidently assure
Col. r. that Augusta most cordially well
comes her sister counties to union of eff
fort in an enterprise which has for its OBJ
| Ject the development of the agricultural,
| mechanical, and stock interest of this
district.
1 apprehend. Mr.. Editor, that the
proximity of the Asylum, to which the
Colonel refers, did not present 50 serious
an obstacla as the knowledge of the more
| favorable location which Augusta would
! probably present; and | would assure hi 8
| that the propositions Contained IN his
| communication might have been present.
| sd to those interested had he b3en present,
md would certainly have received re-
spectful consideration
Allow me to add in conclusion, that
since the harmonious meeting of the 195h
ult have received substantial proof Of
the favorable reception Of the scheme from
a number of representative gentlemen in
in the district, including R0ckbridge, and
on the 18th of February, is fattering
Yours truly, q. JULIAN PRATT,
Secretary.
THE OPINION OF MAI. GEORGE CHRIS
MAN OF ROCKINGHAM.
For Farm and Home.
much regretted the misunderstanding
about holding the meeting in Staunton on
December IA b, to try and arrange tor a
District Fair, to be held at Staunton in
stead of the Augusta County Fair. l
hope no such mistake will be made in rela-
ton to the next meeting to ba held on
oft no
third Monday in january. Mr.. David A.
Heatwoe and myself were the only per-
sons from this county at the meeting:
Mr.. John Lincoln had gone to Stanton
to attend the meeting, but could learn
nothing about it even at the hotel where
the meeting was to be held. We met the
President and Secretary and one of the
Directors and held an informal meeting,
| and the matter was discussed. According
to the statement of the President and
Secretary $25, 900 have already been ex-
pended on the Fair Grounds, including
the cost of the grounds. There is debt
of So 800 on the property, aud if the adj
joining counties join in and take stock to
pay this debt aud to raise small fund to
| pay premiums with, Augusta is willing to
| give the other counties an equal share Of
| the management with herself, as l under
stood the feeling to be at the time. This
| is certainly very fair, liberal and generous,
and [ hope all interested in the improve
! ment and advancement of agriculture in
the counties suggested for the District
Far will attend this meeting, and let US
counsel and work together and put forth
a united and earnest effort to make this
| District Fair the best in the State for the
| education and improvement of the far
m ers. No single county in Virginia can
make good Agricultural Fair by herself;
has either the exhibits to make upa good
and attractive exhibit of agricultural pro-
the exhibit were made up, to pay the ex
penses necessary to sustain it. By
joining with Augusta. Rockingham,
Page. Albemarle. Rockbrldge, Bath,
Highland and Allegheny. at cost
of a thousand or two to each county,
we can have a better Agricultural Fair
than each county could have if she
had $25 900 given to her to build up Fair
for herself II each county had this much
money to herself for this purpose she could
not build up and sustain good Fair
From my past fifteen years experience
with Fairs 1 am thoroughly convinced
that Rocking a IN can have better, more
useful and profitable Fair at Staunton by
joining with these other counties at cost
to her Of $4,000 than she could have at
| Harrison burg at a cost OF $25, 600, and it
is precisely the case with every other
county adjoining Augusta. Stanton is a
central point, with railroads running
North, South, East and West. Cars can
be so run that the people from each coun-
ty can 90 to the Fair in the morning aud
back home at night at a triff1ing COST
This is very important to farmers. To
have a successful Fair 1t must be held af
point convenient, cheap and quick OF
access, and there is no other point any
where in the district that fills this bill SO
well as Staunton. Then the grounds, the
buildings and water are all there just
ready for use. The experience of all Coun-
tY Fairs in Virginia ls that they are little
one horse concerns, where farmers see and
learn but little; soon become burthened
with debt; the people get tired of them,
and they go to pieces; they have not the
means to pay premiums sufficient to in
duce farmers to exhibit their products;
unless the exhibits are good the people
won't go to see them and then there are
no gate fees and nothing to pay premiums.
Augusta has tried manfully, energetical-
ly, nobly but she finds she cannot sustain
a Fair, after she has everything handy for
fine large exhibition, and she is asking
for help. Then let us of the other coun-
ties have good practical sense, profit by
her experience, go promptly to her assis-
lance and have coed, profitable, and
useful Fair-a credit to ourselves and an
honor to the State-at cost of couple
| Of thousand dollars to each county, in
stead of each county taxing itself $50 900
or $50 goo to build mp little, poor con-
cern, OF little use or fit co anybody,
which must in short time go to pieces
and all this money be wasted.
Very respectfully.
GEO CHRISTIAN.
/
An Orderly City.
The year of 1886 h Is opened with the