The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1895-05-09
Attempt Of a Few to PIay a Leading
Citizen Falls Flat.
MASS MEETING A PERSONAL AFFAIR
Commissioner Weed Makes a strong
and Dignified Statement showing
that the Hest Interests OF All Were
Considered In Postpoping the Fair.

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take the sense of the citizens on the de-
cision of the state fair commissioners,
was held, but must have been a revela-
ton to it's promoters. The band was out
and there was music in the air both out
side and inside of that classic hall falla-
ciously called an opera house. About an
hundred citizens turned out at the begin
ming Of the meeting to be sweled by an
additional fifty later in the evening. The
meeting was brought to order by voting
Mr.. Cox into the chair, and then the
true inwardness of the call began to show
itself when Mr.. Msckinnon gently arose
and in prophetic spirit announced that as
some of the gentlemen present might
want to use language about the commits
sioners he thought the chair should ap-
point committee to bring Mr.. Weed be-
fore the citizens" This power devolved
upon Mr.. Mackinnon, who was given q
rowing commission and was successful in
this effort at least.
Meanwhile Hon. r. B. Mlroy entered
the hall and loud cries of "'Milroy" re-
suited in bringing our fighting represent
alive to his feet. In clear, forcible and
convincing speech Mr.. Milroy supported
the action of the commissioners and
struck the key note of the meeting.
+. F. Benson followed in short but
persuasive address on the same lines,
dwelling on the impossibility of securing
outside exhibits at present railroad rates
and arrangements.
Mr.. Weed was then called on and made
a calm and dignified address, in which he
explained the considerations which had
led the commissioners to their decision.
He entered at length into the financial
aspect of the matter and showed in
clear business-lke way how carefully the
commissioners had estimated the revenue
and expenditure, the questions of rates
times prevailing in the state outside of
Yakima. He pointed out that it was
state and not local fair that as such 1t
depended for success on receiving outside
exhibits of the industrial, mechanical and
agricultural products of the state; that
times were 80 bad and money SO scarce
that we could not look for these exhibits
The commissioners had been forced to
the conclusion that under the existing
conditions successful state meeting
could not be held this year. Oregon was
offering nearly $50, 900 in purses and pre-
miums on one side, and Spokane was
holding fruit fair on the other--both at
the same time as the state fair would
have to be held. Mr.. Weed explained
that the present appropriation could only
be used for improving and maintaining
the state fair property, and not one dollar
of it could be applied to purses and pre-
miums. He showed that after the most
painstaking calculation the commission
ers had reached the conclusion that at
least the whole OF the $500 would be re-
quired for preliminary work this year If a
state fair were to be held-and that with
the most economical management de-
ficiency of at least $500, and probably
good deal more would be inevitable.
He said that the fair association was q
member of the National Trotting asso-
citation, which guaranteed that all horses
entered should receive their money; that
the experience OF the ational association
had proved that the entries only amounted
to fifty per cent Of the prizes, and that
the people would have to pay the other
fifty per cent. He reminded his audience
that the commissioners were under
bonds, and were held responsible under
the statute. He explained that they
had carefully considered the powers
granted them by the legislature, and were
clear in their opinion that they were act
ing within these powers, and that their
action would in no way prejudice North
Yakima as the fair town or endanger the
location. He further stated that local
fair and Indian hop jubilee would no
doubt be held, and that the commission
ers would give the grounds and all assist
ance in their power, but that they were
firmly convinced that the best interests
of the state fair demanded that the small
appropriation made by the legislature
should be held till next year, when the
full amount would enable them to hold a
successful and creditable state meeting.
Mr.. Whitson followed, paying high
compliment to the integrity and Judg-
ment of the commissioners, but differing
from that judgment in the present in
stance. He agreed with Mr.. Weed, how
ever, that it we could not hold the state
fair this year we must have a fair OF some
kind.
Several well known gentlemen were
called on for their views, and all sup
ported the action of the commissioners or
declined to criticise their judgment.
The leaders OF the attempt to fay Mr..
Weed, under the coverlet of Il mass meet
ing, where all might treason together"
were feeling rather uncomfortable about
this time. Things were not going their
way to any great extent, nor bringing
grist to the populist mill. The current of