Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-10-10
THE TERRITORIAL FAIRS.

Edi,or Deseret KewG

Editor Dcscrd Netrg
wish 20 present through your
columns few thoughts Ia reference 10 |
the Territorial Fair, which closed yea.
terday. In fishing around for expires.
sious Of opinion a. 10 the comparative |
quality ottho exhibition, II seems 10 be
the general view thai, taken as whole,
II was 10 some extent behind that Of
1900. The stock und fine arts were
perhaps an exception In this regard,
being particularly hue. Such is, be-
llcvc. the popular estimate Of the expo
sltion.
IL is my opinion that, In times OF
equal prosperity, no Utah Territorial
Fair should be behind any OF ils prede-
ccsson. More than that, each success.
sivc exhibition should ,on the contrary,
he ahead Of all those Of tho past.
Ifthls be not the case there Is sone-
thing wrong. There must either be
u diminutlon OF interest on the part OF
those who ought 10 10 exhibitors or u
stagnation OF material development.
The latter Is certainly not the reason,
because the Territory Is making rapid
material progress.
This anomalous position induces me
10 ask question rs to the reason for
the meagTc progtess made by our Ter
rltorial Fairs, 10 far ~ their quality Is
] ........,.a A.. 10 l..uua.. Hh.. L.aal,s.
objects OF the Desorot Agricultural aud
Manufacturing Society are becoming
subordinate 10 mere catch.penny slide.
shows This IL subject Of Importance
10 tho whole Territory, and therefore
ought not 60 bee hastily dismissed.
The society was chartered aud
formed "With "A view 10 promoting tho
arts OF domestic industry, aud 10 en-.
courage the production Of articles from
the native elements Of this Territory
All appropriations and grants made 10
the association were bestowed with a
view 10 the promotion Of those most
worthy purposes. The Fairgrounds, on
which tho exposition building now
stands, were conveyed Ia trust 10 the
organization ON condition that the
objects defined In the law should be
carried out. In the event Of failure 10
comply. II II provided that the grant
should be void and the lands revert 10
tho grantor. Anything which has n
deterlorating or atultifying effect upon
the objects described Is ut least opposed
TO the genius Of the law.
Arc the eKtTancous features referred
10 becoming a hlndrance 10 the en-.
enlargement Of agricultural, manufac-
turing aud artistic pursuits?
Anything that IL mixed with our
TerriiorialFaira which distfActs popular
attention from tho legitimate exhibits
, must have that effect. That the
, masses Of the public do have their at
tention diverted, almost to absorption,
by this sido'show business, Is a fact too
: patent to be disputed.
II may be urged ON the other hand
that these specialties are necessary
la order TO make the exhibitions
pay their way. | contend, however,
that II olap.lfap Ia a detrlment to the
attainment OF the objects u tho DeseTe,
Agricultural and Manufacturing S0ci'
/, ETY., it were better Ia obtain means In n
more reputable way TO make up any
4 deficit In meeting the expenses that
Z might occur, even II II should have u
be met by appropriation.
| hold that some exhibitions given
In connection with our Territorial Fair,
: have smashing effect upon the dig
: nifty Of the eociety, which surely should
!. not degenerate into an orgnnils
, ton for providing "oircus bust
= ness" for the delectation Of m,
y more thoughtless Of the peopl,
q Tho moral effect Of such spectacles
# Is also, la my opinion, open 10 serious
- question. Theglving Of premiums "a
couples who step forward and go
o through the ceremony Of marriage II
!, the midst and under the gaze Of mul
tltudo VI people Il not only foreign e
q the development Of agriculture, art nl
i manufacture, but Of doubtful propfiety
: IL IA against sound public policy and
morality 10 rob marriage Of the sacred
ness IN which II should DO held, Such
object lessons ~ these spectacles nli0r,
are not conducive 10 the growth %
Z sound sentiments In tho mind
n OF either young, middle .agel ol
old. Even those who gather Ia wiz
, ness such sights arr not oufap,urti
u with the good taste of tho lrifgiftu q