The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-30

Tho surres< of this years Fair OF the VIZ
| CHM Agricultural ani Mechanical Associa-
| tion has exceeded the expectations IF its most
saneuiue friend, II Yves thought that there
might be n fair attendance. and that the soci-
etv might be able TO keen up i's organization
| go rs 70 be in position to make credItapie
showing hereafter. Less efforts. in fact, were
made than have been put forth ID
former wears. and. therefore the usus expe-
Renee OF our past fairs was all that could rea-
sonablv have been Anticipated.
But the attendance yesterday was marvel
ous. II is stated that early in the day twenty
thousand tickets were sold. and the supply
was 40 rapidly exhausted that the recep-
tacles had TO be emptied and many OF
tho old tickets resold. This fully Justl-
fod the estimate that fully thirty-hve thou
sand eople were present aud that the attend
ancc exceeded that Of any day OF the txposi-
ton Of two years ago
For the success Of this Fair Colonel bu-
ford and h 9 aJle corps Of assistants deserve the
highest commentator. and they no DOUBT
feel great qualification at the result OF Their
work. And now tho pertinent question
which naturally suggests itself Is: Ii such
marked success has been achieved this
wear. what is TO prevent our having
grand Exposition one year hence'
But for the diphtheria scare which has been
excited but which has now almost entirely
disappeared. several thousands more would
have been in attendance on this OCCASION and
il. in spite of this and ali other discourage
menis with which the Society were con-
fronted, aud which they met and overcame.
why cannot a grand Exposition one year
hence be successfully conducted
Everything indicates that it would be.
When the Exposition of two years ago
was given the Association had to erect
buildings and go 10 extraordinary ex-
pense to be ready for it. Now these buildings
are on hand, and there would be no great
outlay ON their account. Then in May
OF next year the Worlds Fair
ut Chicago will be opened, and
the exhibit which would be made here would
certainly be nucleus, al least, for Nirginla's
display at that great Exposition. And
in addition TO all this. the large attendance at
our present Fair shows that the people Of
Virginia are in very easy circumstances, de
spite all reports 10 the contrary, and as this
promises to be an exceptionally good year
with our farmers. by next fall they will al be
in still better condition to make creditable
exhibits.
If. therefore. encouraged by the outcome OF
this year q Fair. steps are at once taken by the
Association for oil Exposition next October,
there can be hardly doubt that it will be q
complete success. And if II turned out to be
so, it would not only relieve the Association
of all pecuniary embarrassment, but would be
OF incslculable benefit TO our city and State.
In this connection special attention Is called
TO a letter elsewhere published from Mr.. +.
b. Chiffon, general manager Of the Southern
Interstate Immigration Bureau. to Colonel
Thomas b. Whitehead. State Commissioner
of Agriculture. urging an Exposition next
year with view to making IT permanent
Southern institution. This letter presents
the matter in an exceedingly strong light,
and is well worthy of careful perusal and IN
yestipation