The morning call., 1895-02-13
WRiNGLE OVER FAIRS.
The Appropriation for the State Exhibit
May Be Reduced.

SACRAMENTO, Feb. 12.-Another fight was
aroused in the House by the wrangle over
the appropriation of $4,000 for the State
fair 1t was free for all, and everybody took
a hand. Laird of Modoc started the ball
a-rolling by introducing an amendment
wiping the appropriation out.
Brusie explained that the committee had
to be dominated somewhat by the Com
mittee on Retrenchment. 1t was through
Difference to their demands for diminished
expenditures that the appropriations for
the State district fairs had been purposely
left out. The $4,000 allowed by the COM
mittee, he said, must be retained if the
State Agricultural Society was to remain in
existence. An attempt to postpone de-
cision was defeated.
Then Laird explained his position. 81
want to do away with the State fair" he
said. 81 live in the northern part of the
State, and we cannot afford to come to Sac
ramento. The State fair is only local
matter Only those counties in the neigh
borhood are able to exhibit. 1t is better to
have fairs in the various counties, that all
attend, than one fair only few can at
tend.'
Phelps of San Mateo urged the value of
an institution like the State fair. Spencer
of Lassen answered that there was neither
sense nor justice in asking the northern
counties, whose people could not partici-
pate in the benefits of the fair, to con-
tribute to its support in order to add to the
glory and wealth of Sacramento. A brisk
dialogue between the two veterans ensued,
oh fLaG Gay, No4o %aA
Lassen County received more from the
State treasury for school purposes than
she contributed to the State in taxes. He
could not see where her right to demand
$2500 more came in.
After a number of the country members
had told why their counties should be given
money for fair, Powers of San Francisco
spoke for his district "San Francisco has
no insane asylum he said. at has no
normal school, it has no river to be i'm
proved. We pay 81, 10000 into the State
treasury each year and only receive back
about 10 per cent. Other districts have
been provided with State institutions. San
Francisco has paid its proportion and
made no objections. San Francisco has
seen buildings go up in other places and
taken pride in them. The State fair has
always been a matter of pride to the State
The northern counties should look at it in
the same light 1t is matter of right and
wrong, and the border counties should
look at it in that light and not to see W hat
they can pull out of the trea sury. When
you demand money from the treasury on
that ground" he cried, "San Francisco
calls halt"
Laugenour of Yolo did not object to the
State Fair, but he wanted the district fairs,
too.
Dodge. of Alameda objected that the dis
trict fairs were run simply in the interests
of racehorses and racetrack gamblers. 'It
is an outrage on humanity" he urged,
when SO many men are suffering for lack
of work to appropriate $142, 900 for district
fairs"
Keen of San Diego said his people were
too far south to be able to get to the State
Fair. He wanted a district fair.
Cutter. of Yuba warned the House that
II they appropriated money for the district
fairs the tax rate would exceed so cents.
He claimed that the money was not used
to encourage agriculture but to give prizes
for crazy quilts, secondhand paintings,
the best made dress and other equally
| senseless matters.
| Jones of Stockton wanted taxes kept
| down because the large amount expended
lie State expenses kept capital out.
Brusle told of the value Of the State Fair.
De showed how other older and larger
States appropriated large sums for State
! fairs.
When vote was taken the Assembly
decided to retain the appropriation.
| Swisler then introduced an amendment
appropriating money for the various dis
trict fairs. He spoke at length upon the
necessity OF the district fairs and thought
that the $142, 500 was necessary.
Powers of San Francisco showed that
while San Francisco and Alameda counties.
comprising the First Agricultural District,
had $260,0O0 worth of property and was
allowed $3.50, Tulare, with $11,OOO, 600
worth Of property, was allowed $500 for