The Press., 1891-10-15
a%1LF 3h '
SOME FAIR NOTES.

thing dropped" on the fair, just as had been predicted. It is fortunate that there were thousands of witnesses last week to note the injustice of the ''drop."
 The noticeable thing about the fair, and especially to Massachusetts citizen, was the number of ways in which gamblers were allowed to ply their trade and filch dollars from the Holland county farmers.
 The surprising thing about the above from the Springfield Republican is its in- dication that Massachusetts citizens gen. erally have not visited Hampden Park.
 Concerning gambling on the Stafford Springs fair ground: Those who visit fairs generally are free to say that by compal ison the Stafford Springs fairs have been exceptionally free from gambling. The reporter who could go the rounds of these fair festivals and find nothing to shock him until he reached Stafford Springs must certainly have an especial grudge against this society. It is @ fact that gamblers get into our circuit of fairs and try to make the rounds. Three years ago, under innocent-looking guises, some rank gambling schemes got upon the ground. It was thought best not to try to evict them, but to look out for them next time. Last year there were fewer of these and the contracts for ground rent were so worded as to exclude all chance games for money, yet these games were played upon the ground, spotters being kept out and everything being in order when the superintendent of the grounds was seen approaching. This year the ex- ecutive committee in consultation upon the question were unanimously of opin- ion that last years form of contract was all right, but that concerns complained of should be closed up. Under this ruling nearly all the objectionable features were weeded out Two "fakers" permitted to remain with innocent looking devices are now said to have run decidedly crooked games. But the fair was, as compared with fairs in general, exceptionally free from gambling. One fact may be em- phasized. The prices charged these men for ground rent is made low it being un- derstood that only legitimate business is permitted. At some other fairs it is made excessive as compared with that for vic- tuallers, shows, etc. Is it not fair to in fer that it is in the bargain that irregular ities shall be winked at or overlooked? It is hard to see how some fair managers in Connecticut can obtain share of the states funds, except by perjury on the part of the society's officers.
 Visitors at the Stafford Springs fair, who expressed themselves, were unitedly censorious of the singhng out of this so- ciety from all others as an object of at- tack. 7 As for the ''thimble games," "soap peddlers," and swindlers, these men are not licensed al all. They ply their games in corner, with an eye always out for the approach of antoficiai. They arc never in any way entitled to any priv ileges of the grounds, and the society has no responsibility for them.
  made, and the statements that the Staf- ford Springs people fostered gambling, it is but fair to state that Gen. Alex liar bison, of Hartford, who officiated as start CT for the horse races, gave his unquali- fled opinion that this fair was unusually free from objectionable features of this kind.-N0rsosch BuILetin
 Hartford Post: There has been con- siderable dissatisfaction over the article in the Springfield Republican of Wednes- day morning, in which the managers were censured respecting their alleged relation to the fakirs. But anyone who has visit ed the fairs of this society for the past few years is we'll aware of the precaution exercised by the managers to guard the people against the tricks of gamblers, and of the fact that the managers, learn ing of the violation of rules on the first the grounds. Alexander Harbison of Hartford, who has attended all the prin- cipal fairs of Eastern Connecticut, asserts that the Stafford fair is conducted the most carefully of any in this respect, and is the cieanest of any in the association. Other societies, he says, have been highly commended by the press, although ad- mitting gamblers with no regard to their manner of procedure. When the Stafford managers have made such earnest efforts to render their fairs clean and respectfully conducted, they are deserving the com- mendation of the public instead of an un- called for condemnation.
 Hartford Courant: Stafford is to be congratulated on the fine display of its agricultural products. It was decidedly the best of any fair in the eastern circuit as to quantity and number of exhibits, quality being good everywhere this year.
 Holland County Leader: Many Rock vile omnibuses are in attendance at the Stafford fair, which opened yesterday and continues to-day. This is the last and has proved one of the best fairs of the eastern Connecticut circuit. The officers have been busy for many weeks arrang- ing the details of the big exhibition, which ist one of the most successful exhibitions the society has ever held. 's.- i@'-s
 Hartford Courant: The Stafford fair this year is the banner fair for its good order and freedom from the fakir nuis- ances.,
 L2A4zezxK2ln Ae.azK2ln