The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-14
COOPER IN A cApTER
ST. CLOUD MAN HAD NO OPPOSITION
FOR THE STATE FAIR
PRESIDENCY.
THREE MADE LIFE MEMBERS.
ED WEAVER, SAMUEL L. DEERING
AND JULES BURWELL WE'RE
so HONORED.
TRAVELLING CATTLE
Use of the Hanfine Grounds for 1t
Asked fors Week of
= Sept. IL.

John Cooper, of St Cloud, was yes
terday elected president of the state
Agricultural society, as was predicted
by the G b e several weeks ago.
The meeting was a very successful
one, there being large attendance.
Secretary Randall, in his annual re-
pert, urged that many buildings re-
quired painting. A new agricultural
hall was badly needed. The most i'm
portant industry was entitled to bet
ter quarters. and an amphitheater for
live stock was a prime necessity. The
Minnesota fair had an unusually good
environment in the cities of ST. Paul
and Minneapolis. The attendance at
the fair was greatly increased over
previous years, an indication of i'm
mense growth. Hearty cooperation
and sympathy was given by the press.
He was convinced that a healthy in
terest would continue along all lines.
n. S. Gordon, secretary of the Mower
County Agricultural society, read a pa
per on The County Fair He said
it should be an educational institution,
so that none should go home without
being able to say, 81 have learned
something" The fair was a necessity
to farming. AS long as agriculture ex-
listed exhibitions of it's products were
niece ssary to it's highest development
Freaks and fakirs had no legitimate
place on fair grounds. The managers
owed il to their patrons to protect
them from the swindling operations
of fakirs. Too many fairs were run
on the midway style. One of the best
drawing cards was a good premium
list.
Frank Warner thought there should
be a discussion of all papers by the
delegates. Such a discussion would
bring out an interchange of ideas that
must be highly beneficial. He Gid not
believe in proceeding along the old
rut that obtained for thirty years.
Charles. Kennon. of Renville county,
agreed with Judge Warner 1t was
mere important to keep up the exhibits
at the county fair than the state fair,
He suggested as a good feature an auc-
ton Of thoroughbred stock
Judge Warner said that something
must be done to boom the premium
list If the fake idea was to be elimi-
mated.
J. A. Johnson, of St Peter, read the
next paper, the subject being "Amuse-
ments at County and State Fairs"
While the primary function of any fair
was educational, the day was far dis
tant when a fair. county or state,
would be a success and arouse proper
interest without the horse race and the
balloon ascension. The best success,
as a rule, was obtained by legitimate
rrN<k t,1Or
best feature of any fair, but should be
absolutely divorced from the iniqu-
tOus pool box. Horsemen were often
exacting, but when treated as gentle
men, there was little cause for COM
plant. One of the most important de-
tails was the selection of a competent
judge, not necessarily a prominent cit
izen. The balloon ascension was of
doubtful value and the public speak
er" was at a decided disadvantage at
state fair. A good band of music
was an absolute necessity and a great
drawing card.
j. Fl. Johnson, of Winona, spoke on
The Street Fair" The old county
fairs at Winona were generally fail
ures. The first street fair was a
stupendous success Five hundred dol
lars was given in premiums. The
streets were given up to exhibits and
Der three-days' meeting proved a
great success. The premium list was
double what Ii, was before. There
were 1,400 entries and exhibits. Semi
annual fairs would be held in the
future. The expenses were about
81, 500. The street fair afforded more
benefit to the exhibitors, merchants and
people generally than the old-time
fairs. They were successful because
inexpensive.
Judge Warner said street fairs were
all right for towns the size of Winona,
but would not do for smaller towns.
M. T. Grattan, Of Mower county,
called attention to the fact that at the
state fair home-bred horses were
awarded SIS less In premiums than for
eign-b bred horses. He thought it was
an affront to the farmers of Mime
scta that their horses were discrim-
iratnd gainst.
The election of officers was the first
and most important business of the
afternoon session. Mr.. Cooper's NOM
ination for president was made unani-
NOUS but there was a contest for the
first vice presidency, the nominees be-
ing Wyman Elliot, of Minneapolis. and
Lorenzo Hoyt, of st. Paul. Mr. Elliot,
after some debate, was unanimously
chosen, Mr.. Hoyt's friends withdrawing
his name and then urging him for sec
ond vice president. This raised even