The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-08
THE JULY MEETING.

THE JULY MEETING.
II ought to be matter of regret that
the four days July meeting of the Mon
tana Mineral, Agricultural and Mechan-
ical association has not proved to be the
unqualified success that it's directors
and the sport-loving members of the
community would gladly see it. There
is much to be said IN it's favor. 1t pro-
vides place of retreat for a few hours
each day from the grind of business and
the turmoil and dust of city streets; the
track itself affords delightful views of
the valley and the mountains, with their
ever changing panorama of light and
shadow; the eye that has become tired
Of the glare of the city may revel in the
vivid green's Of the surrounding groves.
And while nature has done much to rem
der the race track and it's surroundings
attractive, the directors cannot he said
to have failed on their part. Their ef-
forts to provide sport of as high class
as can be obtained in the northwest have
been uniformly successful, and that they
do not propose to carry on the affair in
any niggardly spirit is evidenced by the
attendance of a band Of music each day,
as we'll as in other ways. All that is
further required to make the meeting a
thorough success is the attendance Of a
sufficient number of patrons to clear ex-
penses, if no more. That is all that is
required, but it is all-important The
directors can scarcely be expected to 60
on putting their hands in their pockets
TO advance the interests of concern
that is primarily intended for the bene-
fit Of tho citizens and the increase of
their business, and yet is allowed by the
citizens to dwindle into neglected disuse
The attendance on the first day this
year was SO slight that the directors felt
it necessary to abandon the fixtures of
Wednesday altogether and, while the
glorious Fourth pade some amends,
Friday saw more Blanks in the grand
stand than occupied places.
!, There must be some reason or reasons
for the lack of interest that is only too
well proved by the absence of a paying
number of spectators and no doubt, if
the directors could hit upon the difficulty
Or difficulties in the way of a large at
tendance, they would be only too glad to
leave no stone unturned to alter the
present state of affairs. It is possible,
Tor example, that the number of days
might with advantage be reduced. The
August meeting follows SO close upon
the July one and is SO much more popu-
lar with outsiders that they prefer to
enjoy their holiday outing at the later
date, il they cannot afford to have both
Ihis absence Of outsiders at the July
meeting undoubtedly influences the at,
bendance of our own citizens, who pat
ronize the August gathering more
largely in the hope of meeting old friends
alnd acquaintance who have settled else
whore. Then again, the time consumed
zach day might be lessened to adyan
tage. The larger number of the new
fomers in the city are not masters o.
their own time during business hours
and, while they may be interested il
hporting matters, cannot possibly spare
three hours in the afternoon to indulge
their turf propensities. Even for those
who have the time to spare, the Ions
waits between events are sufficiently an
noying. Even such radical change a.
The postponement Of each days racing I'm
til after six o'clock in the evening nigh
proye to be the solution of the difficulty
The change would cater to the needs O
business employees, and our long summe
evenings in July render the plan quite
feasible. Whatever changes, if any, tn
directors may see fit to adopt before tn,
advent of next summer meeting, it is t,
be hoped that greater success will crow
their efforts.