The Somerset reporter., 1898-09-15
Secretary Clarke Reelected.

AnsOu huVoCAtt'
Mr.. and Mrs. g. H. Clarke returned
home FROM Lewiston, Saturday night.
after an absence of several days at the
State Fair. The fair was great sue
cess financially as we'll as in every other
way. Mrs. Clarke was present during
the time and rendered her husband much
valuable assistance in his labors as sec
retary. He was reelected to this office
which he has filled with great credit to
himself and the association as well. Ii
is but Justice to say that the success of
the fair was due In large degree to his
patience, faithfulness and executive
ability. Many were the hearty congrat-
ulations Mr.. Clarke received for the able
manner in which he has. conducted the
duties of his office during the past year.
In an interview Secretary Clarke
spoke to the Advocate as follows, rela-
tive to the fair:
ut became apparent as early as Sat
urday morning, that there WAS going 10
be large attendance at the Maine State
Fair. Monday night there were over
200 car loads of stock ana other exhibits.
There was the largest exhibit OF poultry
ever known. The arduous work Of get
ting up such fair was b"gun as early
as June lst. Our greatest difficulty.
however, was to make the press OF the
State believe that we could get up u fail
with all the varied attractions that
would please the public and not detracI
one iota from what makes up our agr-
cultural exhibit. Prof. Gowell of Maine
University, and Secretary Mckeen OF
Maine Board of Agriculture, came into
my office and of their own accord pro-
nounced the fair a great success as al
agricultural exhibition. The manage
ment worked on this basis and took as a
fundamental principle that The success
of the Maine State Fair was with the
agriculturalists, and while we endeavored
to furnish entertainment for all classes,
we never lost sight of this idea. Also,
from the beginning the management
have acted on the principle that the
Maine State Fair could be made sue
cess when conducted in the interest OF
honesty, sobriety, and full regard for
the laws of the State. Ii not success
without pools and intoxicants it could
not Oe Win tlein.
The following letter written by one of
the most prominent temperance workers
in Maine and addressed to the man.
agement shows how fully that feature of
the programme was carried out:
Lewiston, Me-, Sept. 8, 1898.
ISAIAH POMPILLY, President,
GEO. II. CLARKE, Secretary,
Maine State Fair:
Dear Sirs: take great pleas.
ure in saying that after three days of
close and thorough observation on the
grounds of the Maine State Fair, | have
found the order and sobriety of the PEG
pie, along with the character of the
entertainments, deserving of the hearth
est commentator. After having sworn
out over six hundred complaints in the
State against illegal dispensers of alco-
holic liquors, have acquired the eyes
necessary to discover the signs of sale
wherever they exist, but | have found
not single instance where my sus-
piciOns were excited, and L have seen
just one man on the grounds who seemed
to be under the influence OF liquor, but
| could not swear that even he was In
toxicated. The people have been or
derby and quiet, fact much to your
credit as the responsible managers of
the State Fair for '9S, AS we'll as fact
that speaks volumes for the character of
the people of our beloved common
wealth.
In contrast with this | carry in my
memory, pictures of State fairs in In
diana and Illinois where alcoholic liquors
were sold and drank as your people have
sold and drank mineral water aud lemon
ade. and five to twenty drunken braw>
were witnessed in a half day, while
other evidences of disorder and lawless-
ness were seen upon every side.
Be assured | take great pleasure in
writing these unsolicited words and
rejoice with you In the grand and un-
exampled success which has crowned
and rewarded your arduous efforts.
Yours most cordially,
HENRY c. MUNsoN. P. G. G. t.,
Grand Lodge of Maine, |. O. G. L.