The Progress., 1893-03-25
THE FAIR GROUNDS MEETING,
THE SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE NOT
DEAD IN SHREVEPORT VT.
EIT TUE VIRUS oT TEoCIt ~~rUN
NUU EIHNING oN TUT UIILoI
NANCENENT.


4 good number of the representa-
tive business men Of our city assem-
bled at the courthouse last Saturday
in response to the call of Mayor Vim
son to determine some method Of SO
curing the Fair grounds for the city.
The personnel of those present rep
resented three facts in no uncertain
manner, l. e that there was still con
siderable enterprise in Shreveport,
that the few spectators who had
licked their chops in anticipation of
securing the said reward their beau
tiful grounds their palate at a
mere bagatelle of a price would be
ally dissappoipt d, and that the
city culd own these grounds for a
park unless some OF the stockholders
would get hoggish and refuse to sell
except at par or ct a premium.
The meeting was called to order 10y
Mayor r. T. Vinson who explained
the reasons fer his calling it, and
then requested the veteran chairman,
Captain Simon Levy to preside This
/ the modest gentleman tried to refuse
after thanking these present for
electiug him, but was prevailed on
TO accept and couseAed.
Mr. T. l.. Suiuehllow was then
elected secretary. but having begged
of ON account oia ore iiuger, Mr. G.
D. Hicks was elected IN his stead
Mayor Viuson thea submitted the
following proposition;
rEoPosIrIoS
I'VE propose that theCity shall ac
ouire title to the Fair ground prop
erty, and pay for it by tax levied, Ray
II mills until paid for 10y tax on all
the property in the city subject tt
taxation in the usual manner. II
will be legal to purchase it for park
purposes.
Aud when il becomes the property
of the city, we propos" the organlAa
ton of company to conduct an an
nual Fair at said grounds on Ol
about as that now conducted at the
said grounds without costs to saiC
Fair company. and when said park
grounds are not 20 used, then TIN
said grounds are to be opened to th'
public as a park, and under the con
troll of the city. And forever TO b,
used as public park and Fair pur
poses and no other. with the under
standing that the city will not be re
sponsible for any losses that the Fai
Association Company may sustain.
That the company that this privi
lege is granted to shall he expected
to maintain the grounds for th'
privilege granted"
On this being read Mr. ". II. Wis
was called for and made strong ar
gnmeut in favor of the city's becom
ing the owner of these grounds. III
told of the benefits they would be a
park not only as a progressiv
move in keeping abreast of the times
but from n sanitary and moral stand
point such a place was necessary. H'
said that such men as the chairma
and others in the audience were abl
to take trips for recreation: rest an
change of scenery and the like in th
Summer time..when the business sea
son was over. but there were number
who could not afford this luxury an
for that reason Shreveport sboul
have park like the Fair ground
could be made where they could 8
b with their families after bushes
, hours and enjoy that rest in the ope
! air which the physical and moral ma
lures of mankind required. He sal
, that from innate pride Shreve
. port should not allow this splendi'
piece of property to be sold unde
, the sheriffs, cry and from bushes
point of view it would be direct II
hection on their business standin