The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-04
INDIANA FAIR MANAGERS
They Come to the Capital to Attend the
Board of Agriculture Convention.
Propositions for Changing the Location of
the State Fair GrOunds-Addresses of
Governor Gray and Mayor Denny,

| Delegate State Board of Agriculture began yes
terday, with an attendance from all the counties
where agricultural societies exist and from some
that have not yet ORGANIZED. While the dele
gates numbered eighty there were others pres
emit to make quite large audience for the speak
ers. Hearing from the latter and officers with
| taeir reports consumed the greater part Of the
! afternoon, there being little done in the morn
| ing aside from tho coming together of delegates
| 20 pass the time as they deemed best It
| Is expected that the convention in
] Its business features and discussion will
be more than usually interesting, especially in
regard to the improvements proposed to be made
In the fair grounds, to which twenty acres
nave been added. When the purchase was eff
fected those who favor an advancement in some
features OF the fair thought they would have
ground enough TO see them accomplished.
Ihis relates principally to extension and bet
terment of the speeding track, which, they say,
can be made doubly profitable to the association.
Opposed to the proposition are those who regard
racing as having all the Importance it deserves
in the fair programme and arrangements. With
the question is complicated somewhat
renewal CT the idea to dispose of
the present grounds and purchase
elsewhere along the Belt The members of
the board who will favor this proposition if it
takes definite form, as it is likely to do, lay
great stress on the probability of selling the
present grounds at considerable profit and the
purchase of other land at far less price per
acre. It is argued that, with grounds on the
Bels and as near the city as possible exhibitors
would be saved the two or three miles OF trans
portatlon OF machinery and driving OF stock
through the city which they now have to I'M
dergo to reach the grounds. The present fair
grounds are desired by real estate men, who
count on great improvement in that
part OF the city, and 1t is understood some
are ready to give $l60.000 for the ffty-six-acre
tract Out Of this money it is urged that
seventy acres on the Belt can be bought at $500
per acre, which will give the fair better railroad
facilities. The balance could be used in wiping
out the debt Of the board. But in this sugc es-
ton the mile race-track is not lost sight Of, for
that is considered by those supporting change
sine qua non Of the plan for improvements.
The other side thinks that a half mile track is
sufficiently eerviceable, and proposes to let the
location remain where 1t is and spend money on
buildings for various uses and in ornamenting
the grounds The two positions were indirectly
referred to in the addresses of w. B. Seward
president of the board, and Mayor Denny.
An important incident of the afternoon meet
ing was that it had something of the dedicatory
character about it. as the convention met in one
of the spacious rooms set apart for the State
Board of Agriculture in the new Capitol Build
ing. In all the addresses, and in many of the
reports reference was made to this fact After
prayer BY Rev. M. L. Haines. the president
Mr.. Seward, said that at no time since the board
was organized were its value and appreciation
more apparent He advised enlarging its scope
so as TO make it embrace every possible avenue
fer 20 the mate arsrai prosperity OF toe stats
factor in all State improvement The
board, however. was so far behind those of other
States in regard to resources that it had to de-
pend almost entirely upon gate receipts, but he
had hope that legislative action would come to
its relief before long. The time will come when
the State will far assist the fair that the price
Of admission be placed at nominal rate.
Under the present circumstances expenses can
not be paid on price less than that now asked
system there was violent opposition from the
ignorant and narrow minded, but the progress
OF free education could not be stopped
Referring to the enlarged fair grounds he |
thought that question was definitely and satisfac-
torly settled. and the board hoped to make all |
necessary improvements, which IL could not do |
last fall because it had funds for that.purpose
While there was promise that transportation |
facilities for passengers to the grounds would be
improved in two projected lines of cable cars. he
did not think the connection with steam cars |
would be improved, for the right of way cannot |
be obtained. However, shipping facilities are |
great, and the distance to the roads is so |
short, but little Inconvenience ia experienced by
exhibitors in driving their stock Ito the grounds. |
So much money was needed for i'm provements /
and paying the interest on the debt of the board |
that the principal has not been reduced. The |
want OF an appropriation with which to pay in |
terest threw that burden on the boards re- |
sources. By the purchase of the new grounds |
3d. 900 has been added to the debt, but the pay
ments have been so arranged that there will be |
no difficulty ia meeting them. The bill ap- |
propriating 900 for the board in lieu of all /
other appropriations would have passed the last |
Legislature had Eot the deadlock occurred. The /
next Legislature will appropriate the money re-
quired, SO the board can pay all debts and add |
paying premiums and providing for improve
ments.
Governor Gray, who next spoke briefly, told
the convention that the agricultural interest I'm
derles all prosperity, and that every other inter-
est moves with it, The country where the soil |
is under high cultivation will be high In manu-
of the position of Indiana, which was not only a
great grain-producing but stock breeding
State, second to none and all these results were
entirely due to the work and intelligence of the
farmers. He regretted that the last General
Assembly did not do for the agricultural inter-
est what they demand. abut in the absence
could to protect them. He spoke of his procla-
nation in regard to the entry of diseased cattle
into the State at a time when an epidemic
This proclamation he was glad to
say was recognized by other States He favored
the appropriation of an annual sum that would
enable the board to pay its Indebtedness. This
out of the way, the board could do much more
in keeping Indiana IN the front rank of gri- |
cultural States. He closed by wishing all the
delegates and their families a bright and happy
New Year
Mayor Denny as was the Governor. was re-
ceived with warm applause. After welcoming
the delegates to the city. he said no other inter
est than that OF agriculture deserved better con-
sideration. Rhode Island and Nevada, reck-
oned as agricultural States. would not take high
rank, but in manufactures and mining, respect
lively they become highly important. But In
diana is a manufacturing we'll as an agricult-
ural State and the latter underlies all the pros
perity which enabled it to add 5000, O0G 900 last
year from farm and $50, 900 from manu-
featured products. Success for the State Board
of Agriculture meant success for Indianapolis,
but in one thing he thought the board would err. |
1t was supposed when the additional acres
for fair grounds purchased that
a mile track would be constructed. |
He understood that 1t was proposed to retail
the half mile track. With the latter the best |
aud fastest horses cannot be brought here, and
without considering any other feature of racing, |
except that il is the popular attraction at fairs,
he thought the improvements proposed should
EN- brace mile track. He believed, too, better
results would be obtained by purchasing |