Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-10-30
OROVILLE WINS.
THE GEM OF THE FOOTHILLS CARRIES
OFF THE PRIZE.
The State Board of Agriculture Selects a
Place for the Northern
Citrus Fair.

The State Board of Agriculture held q
special meeting at o'clock yesterday
afternoon for the purpose of deciding on
the town in Central and Northern Califor-
MIA in which to hold the Citrus Fair. All
the Directors were present excepting
Messrs. La Rue, Finnigan and Swan.
Marysville and Oroville, the two towns
contesting for the tair were, represented by
delegates as follows: Colonel Edwards
Woodruff, ex-senator E. A. Davis, Senator
Fred. Greedy, J. Il. Jewett, R. c. Kells, B.
F. Walton, g. w. Harvey, Supervisor w
T. Ellis, Jr., and w. A. Lawson, of Marys-
vile; James O'Brien, of Smartsville;
Daniel Frazier, of Wheatland; E. W. Fogg
Floyd Taber, Senator A. F. Jones and D.
K. Perkins, of 0roville.
W. A. Lawson, editor of the Marysville
appeal, was the first to address the Board.
He began by stating that it was his firm
conviction that Marysville was the best
town in this part of the State in which to
hold the fair, not excepting Sacramento.
He rea from the RECORD UNION an article
which quoted the law in the matter. He
said that twenty-four counties in the dis
trict should be considered by the Board in
the location of the fair. 1t was
not his opinion that the planting
of orange trees should govern the location
as OroviIle would claim. Placer county.
he thought, was as much entitled to the
fair as 0roville. That county was in favor
of Marysville, in preference to Oroville.
The Sacramento Board of Trade formally
Withdrew from competing, provided that
the fair would be located north of Sacra-
meDto. Had the Legislature provided for
bat one citrus fair then Sacramento would
have been the city in which to hold it.
The climatic map of the State Board of
Trade shows that Marysville occupies the
central position in the Northern and Cen
trail California citrus belt. In choosing
Marysville the Board could do it with the
assurance that it lies in the heart OF the
citrus belt. Yubs, Butte and Placer coun-
ties have made the greatest developments
in citrus culture. Placer is entitled to an
equal consideration with Butte. Mays
vile being central between these coun-
ties would afford the best advantage
to all the counties to be considered.
Marysville is more cheaply reached than
Oroville. All exhibits to Oroville have to
pass through Marysville. The latter place
is convenient point to make excursions
TO Placer and Oroville. Mr. Lawson showed
the Directors photographs of the Pavilion
at Marysville, and said the building cost
$4,000 and was in perfect condition The
total area amounts to 1900 square feet
The Pavilion is two blocks from the depot,
and Mr.. Lawson said it was just the build
ing in which to hold the citrus fair. There
are sufficient accommodations in Marys-
vile for everyone, in case the fair is held
there. Through Eastern excursionistS
could, without losing much time, stop at
Marysville. Oroville being out of the way,
the visitors could not be induced to go there
In Mr.. Lawson's town was the largest peach
orchard in the State. There have been two
citrus fairs at Sacramento, and Oroville has
held the same number, and Mr.. Lawson
break in favor of Marysville this year. He
was willing that Oroville should have the
fair next year. The reason Placer county
makes no contest is because it has not a
building suitable for the purpose. Mr..
Lawson referred to the tent in which Orc
vile has held her fairs. He said it was full
of leaks and was unfit to hold citrus ex-
hibit. He suggested that MarysYille be
given tk7 fair this year, and that in the
meantime Placer and Oroville could erect a
pavilion in which to hold fair in the
future. Eastern visitors, he thought, could
not be asked to visit a small town on side
line to see fair held in tent. Within a
stone's-throw of the business streets of
Marysville we're 2 600 bearing orange trees.
This year 100 acres of orange trees were
planted, which represented the largest
number of acres planted in this part of the
To hov tIaf asr haII IL
would give recognition to the capabilities
of the Sacramento valley. He read extracts
from up-country papers favoring Marys-
vile. Mr.. Lawson summed up by stating
that Marysville was better situated for q
fair than Oroville for the reasons that it
was easier and cheaper to reach by rail (;
that the town was centrally located; had
better accommodation; more visitors would
be attracted, and in the end would encour-
age citrus culture in the valley. He con-
cluded with a strong appeal for Marysville.
Senator Jones of Butte followed, urgiug
the claims of 0roville. He thanked Mr..
Lawson, for his speech, which. the Senator
said, virtually admitted that Oroville was
the place for the fair. The Oroville Her
citry, in stating that the town would always
hold yearly citrus fairs in opposition to
fairs held at other places, stated that which
uOl REPRESENT Tue Vi ln6 JUS
mess element of 0roville. THE editor oil
the paper said Mr.. Jones, Says a great
many things before he is ready. We want
the 81 500 appropriation to help along our
fair, which is to be held in January. There
is no feeling in the matter, except such as
exists among the newspapers. The Sacra-
mento citrus fairs did US no good, but the
Oroville fairs have done a great deal for
us. The cost of our second fair was over
SIS 600. Within one-half mile
of Oroville are 1000 orange trees and SOC
lemon trees. The total number of citrus trees
in Oroville and vicinity is 351 ,453, ninety
per cent. of which were planted during the
last two years. We are forced to be selfish
this year. l have photographs Of the
tent the frame of which still stands. Dur
ing the last fair there was a severe storm
which caused the tent to leak. 1 deny that
the tent was in condition dissgreeable to
visitors The fact that a citrus fair is being
held in q tent in midwinter is certificate
of oar climate If we win the fair we will
increase the size of the tent, which has
already cost Us about $1,000 year. Had
Oroville received State aid for district
fairs, as Marysville has, we would not have
$4,000 pavilion, but one costing $40, 600
There is one good point in hold
ing the fair under the tent, and
that is, the fruit is not damaged
l think you ought to send the fair up
north. We were at q disadvantage last
year in the matter of transportation, but
when we hold the next fair that trouble
will be avoided. The Central Pacific now
owns the road to 0royille. and its officers
have promised to sell tickets at reduced
rates, and the freight on exhibits to be
charged but for one way. Oroville can &C
commodate $50 more people this year than
last. There is Citizens Reception Cons
mittee. who never go to bed until every
stranger is accommodated with lodgings
Marysville speaks of her peach orchard
Oroville can go her one better. In that town
is q banana tree from which, during the win
Ter, can be plucked ripe bananas. We must
hold our fair at 0Toyille in January. for we
promised to give a third fair. From the
last fair Oroville has left tent and other
material valued al about 50, 000 If no fair
is held this property will be of no further
use to us. As a recognition of industry,
enterprise and the good we have done, give
0r0ville the fair.
The Senator stated that in the event
MarysvilIe was given the fair, Oroville
would no. give way, but hold her fair. He
guaranteed, however, on behalf of the del
egation, that if the Directors would devote
the g. 500 appropriation to the coming Orc
vile fair, that town would not have a fali
next year The delegation present con
tributed two-thirds of the money for the