The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-29
NO LIQUOR 1T FAIRS.
Tho Board Of Agriculture will Rocommo"o
Such Action.

Tho board OF Agriculture VIII h0S"
such Action.
The State Board of Agriculture met st the
Office Of the commissioner at O'Clock yester-
day morning pursuant to adjournment tho
previous evening. After the reading OF tho
minutes of the previous meeting and dispos-
ing of some minor matters. they ADJOURNED
b. meet at the Exchange Hotel at 1870 L: NJ.
At the evening SESSION number OF visitors
were present and apparently took much H.
terest in tho proceedings. ooo
On motion the Board ordered that 10000
| copies Of the annual report of the Department
| be printed and electrotypes secured OF tho
same unless the cost be too great. IN whicn
| case 80 90, copies were named AS the number
| to no printed.
There ensued very lively discussion con-
corning the expression of the Board on the
suggestions o1ered by Mr Lyman on leglsla,
| ton prohibiting the ale OF intoxicants ana
allowing games OF chance at AGRICULTURAL fairs,
| the text of which was published IN yester-
| days TINES. Ii was acted upon one clause at
! q time The LIQUOR clause came up 1rst. Mr..
! Orris A. Brown, of Cape Charles, opposed
this clause on the ground that the local man
| ayers were able TO take care az their own eI,
| hibitions that they knew best what suited
| the needs and tastes of their people, and that
! such a measure would in some cases break up
local fairs altogether. He said that he bad
! had experiences IN such matters, anu IN ORDER
| TO prevent liquor at his own county fair
had bought tho privilege himself. but that he
thought the Board IN taking any action on the
matter would be msddllng with other peo-
niles rights. Mr. Corbin sustained this view
and thought it was an infringement on other
peoples business and WAS Objectionable be-
| cause il involved all the questions OF prohi-
| bition and local option and that every COM
munity should be allowed to decide such mat
tors for themselves.
Mr.. Lyman sustained this clause of his sug-
geston on the grounds Of both morality and
| policy.
Colonel Whitehead took the ground that
il the board could advise In regard TO the
| holding of such exhibitions they could prooa-
| bly, suggest as to their conduct with view
TO tie Improvement of agriculture and the
| safety of people who attended the Fairs.
Mir koiner also spoke IN support OF the
measure as being within the province OF the
| Board and drew graphic picture OF the
gambling snares and dangers visitor 10 the
| Fair Is submitted to under the present manner
of conduct. and thought on such III occasion
! man needed TO be sober and that for the
/ sake OF good morals tho sale or liquor should
be prohibited.
Mr.. Kolnsr attri uted the falling on OF the
| old fashi OF the farmers attending with their
wives and families 10 the dlsgraceful scenes
/ which are occasioned by the sale of liquors on
the grounds.
Colonel Sutherlin said that tho Board was
| in no wise legislative body. and that they
were only giving sn expression OF OPINION out
that he though such things should DO aband-
/ oned by common consent as being injurious
| and demOrallzlng.
Mr. Porter Of Albemsrle, requested and by
! consent Of the president addressed the Board
on the subject IN hand. Mr.. Porter deplored
| the dlsreputable scenes enacted at the fairs
as they are now run IN Virginia. and SAID rs a
life member OF the State Association he SUI
L arI4 ~
frontery exhibited by the men running gam
| bling devices ri the 'air. and that the scenes
| were alike discre iitabie and demorallZ,ng.
| Mr.. Corbin again took the floor and said that
~ resident o. the Fair at fredericksburg.
he spoke from eX erience. that people. when
they came 10 "A mir. came 70 ave fun, and
that unless they were allowei to buy liquor
on the grounds they would bring II bottles
that tue present State avs were suilcient. II
enforced. and ~ means OF orclng the hght
moved that the original claus De amended
TO read that no exhibits OF vinous
and other hqours Shalt 10 permitted. he
amendment being Oyerruled he moved that
the whole paper lie I'M on the table. spl,-
tied par iafnentary contest here ensued, which
resulted finally in the u ton 20 10y on the
table being lost and the original motion being
adopted by q vote Of three TO i've as follows
Ayes-Lyman. Mallory. Sutherlin homer and
Whitehead. Nsys--Brown, Cor5in and Wick
ham. M
The second clause referring TO gambling
WAS discussed at length in the same manner
and like tie former clause was adopted oy
the same vote after similar obstructive tactics
by the minority. The following clause re-
ferr;ns to adulterated food and contagious
diseases of cattle WAS adopted without dis
sent. Messrs Brown. Corbin and WIckham
entered protest against the adoption OF me
first two clauses OF the paper, on the ground
that the board acted outside Of its line OF
duty. This protest was spread upon the
minutes. The board then adjourned TO meet
ct 9 o'clock this morning.