Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-08-06
TIE STATE FAIR.
COMPLETE LIST OF THE RACING
ENTRIES.
The Pool-Selling Privileges Bound
Up Like an Oft-Repeated Chest
nut-Appointments, Etc.

The Directors Of the State Agricultural
Society held the meeting usually set for
this season of The year on Saturday, Au-
gust 4th, for the consideration of the en-
tries to races to be held during the State
Fair, and other arrangements incidental to
the opening of the fair.
The malcontents, and those who are
struggling for patronage more than for the
interest or welfare of the Society, made
their usual fight about the pooling priyi-
leges, which seems to be the only weapon
obtainable by those s. tail to obtain rec
ognition, for reasons shicn to a majority of
the Board seem just. The attacks made
upon the Board by rival booksellers are in
the main not true. They charge that the
Board met in secret session and let
this privilege. This is not so, as q
representative of this paper was present
when the contract was let, and it was done
in open meeting, at an adjourned meeting
at that, and the one at which this business
is usually considered, as the records will
show, tor the past seven years, viz: In
1881 this meeting was held on June goth
and the privilege let; in 1882 May 4th,
same action; in 1888 April 9th, same ac-
ton 1884 March 18th, same action; 1885
April 9th, same action; 1856 March 4th,
same action; 1887 March 11th, ordered to
be advertised; 1888 March 22d, let to Mr..
Killip. In 1887 the Board was prevailed
upon to advertise for bids, as opposing
firms assured the Directors that they would
give an amount that would make them
open their eyes, and they further assured
"a hat Mr. ii
to make cash bid that his would be so in
significant that the Board would surely
overthrow their faithful servant.
What was the result? When the bids
were opened the opposing forces offered &c.
600 for which the Board had received 50. $50
the previous year upon percentage basis
of 65 per cent. Mr.. Killip's bid was
Sl07S7-more, every one knew. than it was
worth. But rather than see the Society
lose, he made this sacrifice The Board
well understand what the pooling is worth,
and sad plight they would be in did they
not, after fifteen or twenty years of expert
ence that many OF the Directors have had.
The majority of the Board think the
laborer worthy of his hire, and knowing
that this business had been heretofore
properly conducted, made d CONTRACT
partly in feeling of ciprocity-with Mr..
Killip to do this business for them this
season at a price that Will enable the pool
seller to receive fair remuneration for his
labor and risk of handling $500 900 to
100000.
Why" one of the Directors asks. {" is
all this vituperation poured out by Mr.. Rose,
when his own home society, which draws
from the State sustenance, lets this same
privilege without advertising? Mr.. Killip
was not asked % give figures for Los An
geles. This fact in itself smacks of selfish
ness on the part Of some one. The beam
before the mote may work well in this in
stance"
The Petaluma and Santa Rosa Societies
awarded their privileges to Whitehead &,
Co., and when Mr.. Killip offered figures he
was informed that the contract had been
awarded to Whitehead. This satisfied Mr..
Killip, and no more was said
But the Directors of the State Fair must
follow rule that suits only when in favor
of those who are doing all in their power
to iniure the institution.
The pooling at race meetings is some
thing more than any ordinary business
transaction. 1t involves great risk on the
Directors or managers, who are morally, if
not legally responsible for the acts of those
conducting this business. And when they
have tried, and have full confidence in a
concern with whom they have transacted
business for twenty-five years, they do not
feel like making change, and they accord
the same privilege to any other society or
association without criticism in any way.
That the business or the society is man
aged successfully and concientiously the
public has but to look on the past and note
the increase of receipts and disbursements
Of the society. But it is clearly apparent
that the public understand this question.
and only lot of booksellers and their i'm
mediate confreres are the "kckers."
1t is seldom this privilege is advertised
by any association. 1t is considered by
many of them as the merchant considers
his banking business, and basis his decision
upon security, integrity and faithfulness
first, then financial returns in connection
with these qualifications.