The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-04


Club.
Over 100 members of the Commercial
club attended the third Of the series Of
CLUB nights given last evening. A
pianola concert Of half dozen numbers
opened the programme and then e. w.
Randall secretary Of the State Agricul-
tural society, gave an interesting talk
about the state fairs in the past, and
called attention to the needs of the asso
citation as to improvements, and the neces-
sity of the Twin Cities cooperating to
make the future fairs a success. He said
in part:
1.-The State Agricultural society was or
ganiZed about the time that Mlnnesota
was admitted to the Union as state.
Forty annual state fairs have been held.
For a number OF years the organization
had a most precariouS existence; without
and without money. 1t labored under
many and serious disadvantages. Early
fairs were held at Fort Smelling, Ia st.
Paul. in Minneapolis. in OwatoEna, in
places as would give the state fair tenn
porary, If uncertain home. The state
was then sparsely settled and attendance
at the annual exhibitions was none too
when stormy week was encountered, as
was frequently the case, the institution
suffered many financial embarrassments.
Purses were frequently compromised,
fairly earned could not be paid.
lin lo65 the county commissioners OF
Ramsey county, on behalf OF the many
far-seelng and public spirited men whom
they represented, presented the county
poor farm to the state for fair purposes,
thus providing for the state far per
manent home. So pronounced mas pee cen
the growth Of the institution. that In 1879
In the number of exhibits, in attendance,
in receipts, and in the cash balance left
at the close Of the year, the Minnesota
States. To be able to say this is not only
gratifying to state pride, but the pres
tige is Valuable. The attention, of ma
tlonai live stock, and other organizations
greater attractions and exhibits In the
future, and gives the state a reputation
for enterprise, energy, public spirit and
progress throughout the land.
especial interest at the present time. Last
week a grain growers convention held
four days session in Fargo. The fact
was brought out at the meeting that
whose land is the richest in the world,
with very few exceptions, realize that
they cannot continue the raising of grain
as an exclusive crop year after year.
there must be fertilization. rotation of
crops, and that, besides their grain, they
must grow grasses and other forage
crops. The keeping of live stock follows
the western and northwestern portion of
Minnesota. and through the Dakotas gen.
orally, are now facing the same cendi-
lions which confronted; the farmers of
southeastern Minnesota, twenty years
ago. That they will solve their difficulties
and that the same permanent condition
of prosperity will be brought about in
this case as in the other have no doubt.
ton of live stock, and the demand for
breeding animals throughout all that ter
rltory will be unprecedented for a num-
Der of years to come. Being in close
touch with agricultural conditions, the
board of managers of the state fair will
give the live stock departments unusual
attention this year. A national exhibi-
ton and sale Of Hereford cattle. under
the management of the officers of the
American Hereford Breeders Association
has been secured, as You know The help
of other associations has also been Sc
cured. The American Shorti1orn, Breed
efs' association will duplicate all pre-
miums awarded by the fair manag ement,
and special prizes will be offered by the
Aberdeen Angus associa ton. The nation
al Hereford show at Kansas City last
year was the largest ever held in the
world UP to that time. The Minnesota
show will not be smaller. This, added to
the usual large exhibition of cattle seen
at the fair, with the impetus given the
work of the department by the aid of the
other associations mentioned, means that
Minnesota will have at it's next fair by
far the greatest cattle show ever seen In
the world. Should l say that the royal
cattle show of London is to be repeated
here your interest would be aroused T
know. What l do say is that a greater
than the royal cattle show will be held
at the Minnesota state fair next Septem-
Der and the interest in an event of this
should be WIDESPREAD. In this
work the cities should feel a direct in
terest because their prosperity depends
directly upon conditions in the country
Let the farmers of the state prosper, and
no fears need be entertained regarding
the welfare of the Cities
. In view OF the large benefits derived
directly and fndi1 ectly the board of man
ayers, 1t seems to me, make but small re-
quests upon the cities. Their first request
IS Is that no competitive events be planned
Tor TAR week to distract attention; that
no carnfvalS be held at that time to divide
attention and reduce their gate receipts
remembering last years experience 1t is
probably safe to say that this request is
complied with in advance 1 feel certain
that no citizen of either city would coun-
tenance any enterprise in opposition to
the fair or any measure in any way detri--
mental to 1t. For that week. at least, the
state fair needs the right Of way
"A guarantee of large purse is asked
for in each city, to provide an event of
board can afford to announce. but these
guarantees, so far at least, have not been
burdensome. The active help of the peo-
pie of the cities may be needed in the
creation of a sentiment which will find
expression in a legislative appropriation
for two new buildings now imperativeiy
required. 1t is not creditable to Minneso-
ia that there is no agricultural hall on
the grounds in which to display farm and
garden products and In which to make
county exhibits. nor is 1t creditable that
a tent or other improvised shelter will
have to be used as show and sales ring,
while national display of live stock Is
being made. as will be the case next Sep
TENDER
The cities are hardly doing their full
duty in this respect. Remember the state
fatr Is a state. not private institution.
There are no stockholders and no divid-
ends to be declared. No personal interest
ahead. but the money finds its way back
into the channels of trade, either by being
spent for lumber hardware. paint or
labor for permanent improvements, or in
broader and more useful still Fifty or
twenty-five cents paid for a. state fair
ticket Is well invested, and may prove
the total attendance at the fair, large
though it was. was but little over a quar-
ter OF the population living within a
radius OF fifteen miles Of the grounds.
Subtract from this the number attend
Ing from outside and 1t makes the attend
ance from the cities seem small. In no
other way can you help the institution
more than by getting your people in large
numbers to attend the fair
The prospect for the future could not
DE brighter. Success begets success. One
great fair makes a greater one the year
following a possibility always Prestige
counts.
'In conclusion. let me say that it is the
broad purpose underlying the organiza-
1ects to be accomplished by it's continued
existence. that | would urge upon your
attention most If your interest be secured
here, your assistance will follow If by
these great annual exhibitions, production
be stimulated, greater development be