The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-04
THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE NOW
IN SESSION HERE.
Governor Talks on Good Roads and
Rural Mail DeIiv-
cries.


ing agitated by the board. After discussing
the unsatisfactory rate given by the rail-
roads to those wishing to attend the fair,
Mr.. Downing referred to the fact that the
fair grounds had been damaged by the
camping of the soldiers throughout the
summer in the buildings and grounds, and
that while the government had paid $7lO.75
for the damage done last spring, no settle
ment had been made for the damage done
during the summer, and later when the
troops were mustered out
In speaking of the financial slump in the
fair last summer, Mr.. Downing claimed
that it was due almost altogether to the
rainy weather and that the association
should not be discouraged, as the associa-
ton is now in better condition than it has
been for several years past. Said he:
''In 1884 the indebtedness of the board was
III excess OF $oyOJ1. ana OF TINS sum $UG 49,
was drawing 10 per cent. interest Inc
present indebtedness is $4OS2.& l believe
that meritorious night attractions during
the week of the fair will prove both popu-
lar and profitable to the board l feel that
the board owes an apology to the people
who attended the Battle of Manila last
year, especially those who saw it on the
opening night We were led to believe that
1t would be the greatest night attraction
ever given in Indianapolis. To say that the
board was disappointed is putting it mildly.
We have information that the production
was tame in comparison with that given by
the same company in other cities"
In discussing the relation Of the fair to
the city of Indianapolis Mr. Downing said:
The wisdom of the members Of the
board who permanently located the state
talr grounds in the capital city of the State
cannot now be questioned 1t would have
been unwise to have gone elsewhere, if the
convenience and comfort of persons who at
tend the state fairs and the facilities for
reaching the state fairs are to be consd-
cred. Being thus permanently located at the
capital 1t becomes a question Of very great
Importance as to how we can best enlist
the interest and support of the citizens Of
this city to assist us in making the state
talr a Success-not from a financial stand
point alone, but to make it such an exhibit
tlon tnat VIII stimulate and educate the Wis
itors to the state fair, and especially those
dnterested IN agriculture so that its influ-
ence will be felt throughout the State If
we cannot accomplish this result the mis-
sion of the state fair is at an end.
FOR the past few years the state board
mas been ably and generously assisted by
the counsel advice and support of the Board
OF Trade and the Commercial Club of In
dianapolis. And we have profted by their
suggestions, and I sincerely hope and trust
That the state board may always be able to
keep IN touch with these institutions and
the enterprisng citizens of INDIANAPOLIS.
generally, and will seek their advice in mat
ters pertaining to the state fair and its well
fare We must have the good will of In
which is, it is one of the attractions to
state fair visitors"
AS A STATE INSTITUTION.
Touching on the often-agitated plan Of
transferring the property of the board to
the State and making the fair a state in
stitution, the president said
Under its charter, the state board is now
as much of a state institution as 1t can be
made All of the provisions of the charter
would indicate that the Legislature regards
the board as state institution The board
is not a private organization in the sense
that it is organized managed and conducted
for private gain. Whatever profits ac-
crue belong to the State, and cannot be
appropriated to their own use by the mem
hers or any one else. But / am strongly
impressed that the Legislature should pro-
cational institution, which has done so much
for agricultural interests throughout the
State"
In conclusion, President Downing paid a
tribute to the late Governor Matthews who,
at the time of his DEATH was a member Of
the executive committee of the board.
GOVERNOR MOUNTS ADDRESS.
During the morning Governor Mount
spoke on various subjects, principally good
roads and free rural mail deliveries. Speak
ing for the former, he said, in part:
Good roads are inseparably connected
with progress. Like abundant harvests,
they contribute to the good of ALL The
isolation of the country home is the farm
ers greatest barrier to progress. Bad roads
enlarge this barrier. Conditions that tend
to isolate should be removed as speedily as
possible. Facilities for daily contact with
the worlds best thought and progress
should be accelerated The highest success,
financially socially and intellectually, can
not be attained until we have good thor
oughfares The restriction in marketing
farm products to periods when the roads are
passable prevents marketing to the best
advantage, both as to time cost and prices.
l heard farmer in southern Indiana say
that $1,000 was lost to the farmers on hay
alone along one road extending eight miles
fri hn l1Ylr into thn afFxv "
loss, which was sustained in one year, was
caused by impossible roads when prices
were best One years loss on one crop
would have paid for improving one-eighth of
the distance. This illustrates the financial
loss caused by bad roads.
THE farmer whose family is held in the
thralldom of mud for a large part of the
year is subjected to an ordeal that tram
mels progress, letters social growth and re-
tards intellectual development. The farmer
who lives on a mud road will be likely to
have all his environments in harmony there
with. The farmer located upon good th9r-
oughfare, who sees the fine turnouts rapidly
hurrying by the occupants handsomely
dressed people. is inspired by the scene,
steps quicker, thinks faster and keeps his
home surroundings in harmony with what
he sees. A sense Of pride prompts him to
greater effort to have for his family good
conveyance, to provide about his barns good
drives, free from mud, and to have about his
home good brick or cement walks. His chill
dren go to school over good ROADS, his family
to church. to lectures, to town; they are IN
touch with the worlds progress. The need
of combining small country schools the de-
mand for township high schools. will height
en- the need Of road improvement.
RURAL MAIL DELIVERIES.
Concerning rural mail deliveries he said:
Rural free delivery of mail so much
needed among our farmers, can never OBJ
tain except IN localities possessing good
thorOughfareS, inSuTing rapid transit at all
seasons of the year. Among all the coun-
tries that comprise the International Postal
Union the United States is the only country
that fails to deliver the mail to the ad-
dresses. In thickly settled districts where
there are good roads the conditions are ripe
for the farmers to demand some considera-
ton of fairness from the Postofice Depart
ment. Perry S. Heath, first assistant post
master general, recommended and secured
an appropriation of 100000 for experiment
tation in rural free delivery OF mail | am
amazed that objection should be made to
the appropriation Of this paltry sum for
so wise and just a purpose. The people who
produce the food and fiber that feed and
clothe the world must not be overlooked in
their just demands. The past year the
ing home demands, seEt abroad 1886 001, 900
worth OF farm products. They bear large
part of the burden of taxation and are just
~ entitled TO some of the privileges accorded
to others"
TRASH THROUGH THE MAILS
Commenting on the literary trash which
the government is daily handling in inn
mense quantities at a heavy loss, the Gov
ernor said
Recently I was invited TO go through the
Southwestern limited through mail train on
the PENNSYLVANIA Railroad / found the mail