Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-28
THE COUNTY FAIR.
1ts Utility and Morality Discussed by
Farmers ut Sandy Springs.

It's Utility and Morality Discussed by
Farmers ut Sandy Springs.
There was q large gathering Of farmers at
Sandy Springs, Md, yesterday, it being the oc-
casion Of the annual convention for the consid-
Grafton of matters Of special interest to agri-
culturists. Nearly 200 Of the leading farmers
of Montgomery county were present. besides
quite a number from the counties o. Howard,
Prince George, Anne Arundel and Hartford.
Mr.. Henry C. Hallovell, who for the past eight
cen years has been the presiding officer at these
meetings, resigned this position on account Of
i'll health Mr.. BENZ. ID. Palmer WAS chosen in
his place. The secretaries were Francis Snow
den and Chas. E. Bond. Practical questions Of
the farm and crop raising were discussed and
many valuable suggestions were elected.
TIE COUNTY FAIR QUESTION.
The question as whether it would pay the
average farmer financially to take part in
county fairs was the theme of an interesting
debate. Mr.. Edward p. Thomas maintained
the negative He thought the farmers would
do better to read the newspapers, some good
agricultural paper and attend to his farm than
spend his time at fairs where poor speeches,
games of chance and scrub horse races are the
principal attractions. He thought that the av-
erage fair used largely to advertise the
manufacturers Of farm implements and the
farmer paid for this advertisement. Maj.
Henry E. Alvord, the president OF the Mary
land Agricultural College. criticised fairs and
said that he had not attended orc in the state
where he would be willing to have a son of his
spend six hours. Lessons of immortality, he
said, are on every hand and he thought that
the fairs should be made clean and then
the best results would follow. In
the fairs were simply used as cloak for
horse racing and its attendant evils. There
not fair. he said. held in Montgomery
county where he woulc be willing to take his
Z j. Hall spoke in favor Of races at fairs. and
Mr.. Henry c. Hallowen made an able defense
of fairs.
DEFENSE OF THE FAIR.
He said that there is nothing which pays the
farmer better than to go to the average county
fair. He thought that attendance on such oc-
cssions takes the farmer out of himself il
shows him something of tie world. and il takes
some of the conceit out OF him. which is the
bane of his existence. 1t is a step backward to
say that farmers are not benefited by any
means which brings them together.
The question as to the best means Of separat-
ing party politics from county affairs. in order
that citizens may receive better results for the
money expended. was widely discussed. The
great majority of the speakers appeared dis
satisfied with the present district system of the
counties ard with county commissioners and
advocated the township system in their stead.
While it WAS admitted that this would not re-
move partlsanship, it was claimed that the
money collected IL taxes would be expended by
ones neighbors and all accounts would be sub
iecI to the strictest scrutiny. The whole mat
ter YVES finally referred TO Il committee.
Chai-men of committees on creameries
sheep raising and potato scab and rot reported
the results of their Investigations. and the sec
retaries of the Farmers Enterprise and Mont
gomery farmers clubs made reports of their
years work.
The rights of farmers in the Washington
markets discussed and a committee was
appointed to take into consideration the whole
matter. make test cases before the Washington
courts. and. If necessary. complain to Congress
If their rights are infringed upon.
On motion of Mr.. j. Thomas Clark President
Palmer was authorized TO appoint committee
of i've 10 represent the Montgomery farmers at
the immigration convention authorized by
Governor Jackson to be held in Baltimore on
February 18 next
Other topics of interest were discussed and
the convention then adjourned.