The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-08-11
PREPARATIONS FOR
THE Big FAIR
Making a Programme for the
I..orse Races.
DRUMMERS WANT A DAY
Thought That T. P. A, of Alabama Will
Take Hold of the Matter-Consid-
cradle Discussion About Hav-
ing Negro Department.
DRUMMERS WANT A DAY

j. W. Russwine, a horse racing expert of
the making of the program of horse races
which are to be held at the state fair. 1t
is proposed to have at least one pacing, one
trotting and one running race each day.
The largest purses will be given that have
ever before been offered in Alabama.
Already the side-show people have begun
to basiege the officers of the association for
space on the fairs Midway" The most
prominent of these is man who wants to
bring a village of native Filipinos and let
Alabamians see the character of the peo-
pie now waging war against the United
States.
Drummers Want Day
Secretary Rountree has received num-
Der of letters from prominent members of
the Travellers Protective association all
over Alabama asking that special day be
set apart for them during the fair, and he
says that they can be assured of the hearty
cooperation of the management. The G..
p. A is one of the largest organizations in
the state, and has been brought into espec-
ial prominence lately by the election of l..
V. LaTaste, of Montgomery, as national
president. Mr.. LaTaste will be expected to
be present, and formal invitations will be
issued to Colonel Higdon, inviting every
post in the state to attend.
The Birmingham fair is already being
extensively advertised in Kentucky papers
and they are having a decided effect. Be-
sides a number of stock raisers who have
written that they will bring their race
horses, letters have also been received
from two other stock raisers who want to
bring several car loads of live stock to
sell. 1t is proposed that during the last
few days of the fair, there shall be
number of sales of all kinds of horses and
stock.
Negro Department
A great deal of interest seems to be
taken in the suggestion to have a negro
department of the state fair. Several days
ago w. H. Council, the famous negro edu-
Gator, wrote a letter urging that d. w.
Parker of Tuscaloosa be appointed the
commissioner to get up the negro exhibit.
In this connection the Tuscaloosa Gazette
has the following to say:
'The idea of negro department is so
good a one that doubtless the fair COM
mittee had already included it in the pros
pective plan. President Councils nomina
ton of David William Parker as commits
sioner of this department is eminently APP
propriate. Professor Parker is a colored
man who has enjoyed exceptional advant-
ages and Is well educated and possessed
of a practical as well as an intelligent
mind. With him in charge of the negro
department it could not fail of success.
He would fittingly represent the colored
people of the state, and would be sa It's
factory man to the white people among
whom he has made a great many friends.
While he seems to be out of politics just
now, it is we'll for our people to remember
the yeoman service Parker has rendered
the democratic party as well as his labors
for the upbuilding of his race along the
lines followed by Booker Washington, W.
H. Council and other leaders,