Telegram-herald., 1891-08-16
TWO FAIRSOA OAI DAlI
tas sans Date " Sss Ta<ITs-visss
81 oas 81 Ihsa - - the Silica.


l@4A ~A-<<~ - --NA@s ~ -<@<A1 - 0@<~-f -
that IN six weeks keat county and
Graad Rapids will be IN the throes VI
TWO great exposltions. the first ever
given on two very fine grounds. and
that both fairs viii be held the same
week. one on the Kent Ceaaty soeietys
grounds. the other BY the highiy sue
eessfai West Michigan Agricultural
society ON what oughs 10 be called
coHstoek park. This collision of dates
il most unfortunate A reporter for
the sunday Morning Eagle. in search
OF information on this subject, called
oa several OF the officers OF the senior
sselety, the Keat County. for thsir
views OF the situation, and found that,
one and all, they wholly dtsciaimed
fauls IN the matter. II there be any.
fault IN the situation. They discussed
this weather and other topics, and
Incidentally. in general terms. the re-
cent charges OF corruption made IN
connect ton with ease pending against
Messrs. withey and Meech- What
they said Is OF general interest and 90
is given at some length:
The Hon. Charles W. Garfield.
director IN the Kent County Agricul-
tural Society. IN response 10 inquiries
made by n sunday Morning Eagle
reporter, concerning the controversy
as TO the location Of the society's fair
grounds, and the alleged bribery con-
neeted Herewith, said:
IT know very little Of the merits
OF the controversy concerning the loea-
zion OF the Kent county fair grounds.
and absolutely nothing as 10 whether
tsrt nff.red ID hy thS.
m<n whose votes established the pres
ent location. but insist that il 10 a
very unjust 10 accept allegations
against reputable men as truth. when
the charges are entirely at variance
with the lives these men have been
living in our community since their
boyhood. In Apra last came on the
board OF directors of the Kent County
Society filing the vacancy caused by
the resignation OF DIR. Malcolm, of
Lowell | did not desire the position.
but was urged TO take IL by the best
friends OF the society. The location
was established; the date of the au-
tumn fair had oeen set four months
previously. The buildings had been
planned and were in process OF erec-
tlon. and ! accepted the trust with
The single object in view OF assisting
20 conserve the funds OF the people
Of Kent cunty that were held by this
society. and TO aid, to the extent OF
my ability and time. In making eco
nomlcal expenditures upon the
grounds. and do anything and every
thing honorable and wise 10 make the
annual fair n success.
1T seems TO me since coming on
ri hag t-.f A..
guiding the movements OF the direc-
tors. and whatever may be said OF
the past. I am bound to accept the
conditions OF today and do all I can
10 make success OF our fair. The
society Is ours its success will be
ours as county and a city. We can
III afford 70 allow spite or wrangiing
60 stand in the way OF giving hearty
support TO an institution that belongs
~ our own community. We can not
afford 20 say mean things because
other people do.
1T Is n misfortune to have two
fairs on the same date at one eeute-.
Somebody has blundereI In the ar
rsngement. Somebody should have
rectffled the blunder by concession and
good sense. But there are produc-
tions enough tributary TO Grand Rap
ids 10 make two grand exhibits at the
same time. There are people enough
TO make large attendance at both
of theti. So II both exhibitions must
be held during the same week. IL be-
hooves our city and vicinage to make
an effort to secure to both fairs
phenomenal success. One thing Is cer-
tain, tho partisan for either associa-
tton who shall mould statements
against the other with small regard
TO truth. but Just Tor controversial
effect Il 10 friend to our city. and her
reputation for successful fairs"
Director withsy Said;
John VI. withey. Esq. director
I'm the Kent County Agricultural So
ciety. and now experimenting tho i'm
provements at the fair grounds. in re-
spond1ng 20 inquiries concerning the
occasion for the holding of two fairs
On the same date at our city. said no
one could regret the fact more than
himself But" said he. II wish the
blame 20 lay where 10 delongs:the
matter can be explained by calling
your attention TO bit OF history. The
West Michigan Association used our
old ground for n number OF years. and
when it was sold we reserved the right
20 hold fair there under easy con
ditions. The West Michigan Society
had its premium list prepared. and we
expected ~ would hold an exhibition
IN the autumn Of 1890. Tie society
refused 20 do so. Our society was In
no condition to hold successful fair.
and at n meeting of our board I. per-
haps somewhat rashiy stated that IL
iooked "a n Mr. Th1yer was deter
mined not % hold fair. and he seem
oh 70 hold the West Michigan Society
IN his vest pocket. 20 which Mr.. Dixie
man responded by generating MFR.
Thaver. and saving that n majority
cf the West Michigan directors had
clearly indicated that they did not
cestre to hold an exhibition In 1890. !
and 10 was upon this understanding
enly that Mr.. Thayer would accept |
the Office % president
"I sav This 20 show thar the West !
Michigan society had no mortgage on |
any partirpiar date The Kent socie- |
~ upoa the location OF grounds and |
npon getting IN shape so it could work /
\ nfetter-si. set les date for the fair ~ /
! sol This was done last December. |
NJ a time when there was no expecta- |
ton ths, the West Michigan Society |
would exhibit. for IL had no grounds. /
} Mess It should make some arrange
nants therefor with cur society
"Our date was set 70 take sdvsn
'axe ct the fset that two great fairs
10 tAe east of IA would then be com
pletpd. and naturally the Grand Rap
sis fair shouid follow nevt."
Mr. wttaey was asked u the state
nsents made concerning the locstaen
u grounds and rather rejecting upon 4