The record-union., 1892-05-24
THE COMING STATE FAIR.
It Will Be the Grandest in the History
of California.
Important Conference Yesterday Be-
tween the State Agricultural So
ciety and Other Public Bodies.


Association of Sacramento. The follow
Ihg-haihed directors of the board were
present: Biggs, Chase, Green, DeLong,
Hancock, Gamble and President Cox.
Inc Citizens Committee were represented
by Messrs. Van Voorhies, j. 0. Coleman,
olehens, Hall, Lubin, Lawton, Heilbron,
EIkus, Mayor Comstock and others.
The purpose of the Industrial Associa-
tlon was to proffer their services and aid
10 the State Board of Agriculture, to the
END that the State Fair of 1892 might sur
pass all previous efforts IN the way of in
creased agricultural, mechanical and in
dustrial displays, as well as extra attrac-
tions for the benefit and entertainment of
exhibitors and visitors.
JOS. Steffens addressed the board
upon the subject as follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the State
fdlr Directory: 1t is almost an axiom in hui
man life that familiarity begets indifference
texcepting that kind, OF course, which breeds
cOntempt). The roar OF Niagara'S power is
less effective on the mind OF man oorn un-
der it than the buZZing OF the machinery of a
plant located miles away, whose power is
transmitted from t1at great natural engine,
and he viii travel from the roar 10 enjoy the
GUzz. That is intelligent human nature the
world over and is its progressive and re-
deeming trait.
The annual exhibits made in this Pavilion
are worthy Of due attention, and TO new
people not familiar with them would be eX-
ceedingly interesting and instructive. Partial
indifference resulting from our familiarity
with large portion OF the yearly exhibits
here are losing 10 us the real and important
benefit to be derived from the other part, and
which is the real province OF the State Fair to
promote. Therefore ii is much more difficult
and responsible to be a State Agricultural
Society Director OF to-day than il was fifteen
or twenty years ago, when exhibits and their
makeup were comparatively new TO the gen.
eral public The problem 10 solve is, how To
mass and interest the people at a State Fair so
that they may improve the opportunity TO
keep pace with the new or, rather, be made
acquainted with the doingS and triumphs of
their thinking fellows,
This is a State problem and the people in
general are very much interested in its proper
solution. While we, in this city, are Interested
in the crumbs that many of the visiting ban
queters let fall from the great entertaining
and industrial table, which in the absence of
this festival would otherways and elsewhere
fall, they are but crumbs when compared
with the general good and advancement of in
dustrial interests which are distributed
throughout the State by the success and well
attendance at the State Fair. The Executive
Committee of the Industrial Association of
this city is charged with the duty OF eniistng
that interest in the State Fair which this To-
cality owes il, and with bringing TO its sun
port as much OF the outside obligation as it is
possible for 1t to command and enlist.
AT first there were some twenty propositions
partially considered but this committee has
selected about third of the number to pro-
pose to you at this time for your cOnSidera-
ton. They deem it better to have fewer feat
ures adopted, as additions to your present ar
engagements, and put more effort in their
development. II these prove successful the
variety might be increased another year The
estimates of the subcommittee on the cost of
each new feature IS somewhat sizing up of
what the effect shall be in each direction pro-
posed. The committee also submits the idea
to you of their providing guarantee fund to
be drawn on in case the proceeds of the fair
tt StaffIlG of /,
extra efforts.
In presenting these several proposed ex-
hibits 10 you as a board, we can do but little
more than name them to you. 1t being di-
rectly in the line of your work, your own ex-
perience VIII suggest to you at once many of
the various phases each feature named will
assume. Beside, when adopted and put by
you into the hands OF committee TO develop
and build up, any proposition now suggested
viii be limited only by the room it can have
and the funds which can be set apart for its
Development.
First-State historic exhibit.
This feature is a part OF the plan which the
Worlds Fair Commission has in hand for
Chicago, and the interest ii will command is
limited only by the magnitude of the collec-
Jion. State collection for our fair could be
OF great variety, and the call itself would
bring out things now generally unknown and
of more or less interest to all people. 1t
could be arranged together in some portion of
the Pavilion, 50 as TO concentrate the interest
and the attention of the visitors. The articles
should be plainly labeled, with their own his
tory and the names of the owners. This would
enlist the interest OF the contributors in the
collection. The society should provide well
for the care and safety of the exhibits; may
nave to insure some OF the articles at first to
satisfy the over-cautous, but contributors
would soon become educated UP to the mat
ter and this feature could be a permanent
one for the fair. It's great variety and annual
rearrangement and additions would make it
a somewhat new exhibit each year. All
classes OF minds are greatly Interested in old
relics. The interest attached to their history
IS OF q general and pleasing character and of
more or less good influence on the general
mind. Our own California Museum ASSOcia-
tion had one at the Art Gallery some years
ago with marked success and with subStan-
tial results. The subcommittee estimates the
cost of this feature viii be about $500.
Second-EXtensive ana varied state exhibit
of minerals, quartz, agates, building stone,
etc.
Doubtless contributions for this EXHIBIT
could ,be gotten through Mr.. Irelan: also
from the mineral cabinet at the Art Gallery.
While the collection of minerals WouId soon
grow into importance and interest the addi-
tion of building stone samples would be
likely to bring out facts 10 our own re-
sources that are now almost unknown The
possibilities OF the magnitude, value and at
tractveness of such an exhibit are almost un-
limited.
The estimate for this feature has been
placed at $3.50.
Third -Ethnical exhibit of primitive native
CalitornianS.
the state or coast as could be gotten and con-
Trolled through white agents, They could he
located outside in their wlgwams or huts and
yet so connected with the pavilion as TO be
accessible from il only. They could be en-
gagged III bead work. sports, and in many
other ways which could be suggested by any
one familiar with their native lie and accuS-
toned TO their ways and management 1t
could be made q NeriJa0le wild west show -
that would draw and partially amuse. Who
can say that people thus attracted cannot be
Interested and improved by the other sur
1t is Estimated that this undertaking viii
cost 81 600.
Fonrth-Pioneer days illustrated by placer
mining.
ceSsible through the pavilion only.
A half dozen old miners with their outfit of
implements ana toggery, engaged in actual
work in dirt and water, finding nuggets more
fright than valuable, would be a sight that
Young and old would go to see anu all would
enjoy 1t would be in great contrast with the
tNaliye CalifornianS," and as much SO with
mining life OF to-day.
To rlSurrect the past in such q weil-planned
exhibit would amuSe some, while ii would
deeply interest all, and cause many to look
back.
The subcommittee estimates this feature
will cost 5000.
FItth-Recommend that special premiums
b. offered for dress rehearsals of Worlds Fair
county exhibits
While this matter is having good attention
already, the committee thinks that material
assistance can be given the effort by special
soliciting and thorough canvasSing, thereby
increasing the competition and rounding out
the great collection which should make up
this interesting and valuable department.
1t is thought that this effort viii cost about
$1,000. .,..
IL is suggested that varied and inexpt n
sive set of outdoor sports could be planned
that would very much anuse large gather
ing at the park.
Climbing creased poles and other similar
odd contests could be suggested that would
Give the exhibition variety and zest
a few efforts OF TINS KIND, either at park or
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