The Savannah morning news., 1901-07-22
LEND THE FAIR HELPING HAND.

LEND THE FAIR A HELPING HAND
Every citizen of Savannah knows
that the State Fair is to be held here
beginning the 9Th and continuing I'M
til the 10th of November. and we are
sure that every citizen who feels pride
in the city wants the Fair to be a sue
cess. But it cannot be a success I'M
! less there is sufficient money forthcom-
! ing to make it so.
! We have a city, which, besides being
! the most beautiful in the South, is a
great seaport. We want people from
other parts of this state and from other
states. particularly those states which
contribute to its commerce to see it.
We want them to have a better ac-
quaintance with the port through
which their cotton, naval stores and
lumber reach the markets of the world.
Thousands of them are no doubt think
ing that the state Fair will be an at
traction that will encourage them to
visit it, They have heard of Savan-
nahs great commerce. the greatest
perhaps that any city of 10000 inhabit-
ants in the world handles, and natur-
ally they would like to pay it a visit.
Savannah has undertaken to offer
them an attraction that will induce
them to come, and she cannot afford
to have it fall below expectations.
It is apparent that in order to make
the Fair what it ought to be 1t will be
necessary for every citizen to contrib
ute something towards it-that is every
citizen who is financially able to do
so. Thus far comparatively few have
made contributions. To too great an
extent there seems to be a willingness
to let these few shoulder all of the
burden. II must be apparent to every
one that this is not right.
The citizens who have contributed
are not better able to do so, nor have
they any greater interests at stake,
contributed a cent. The benefits which
will accrue to them will be less in
some instances than those which will
accrue to many who have either kept
out of the way of the committee which
has solicited subscriptions or have
buttoned up their pockets with a firm
determination not to help to the extent
of a cent, but who are ready to share
in all of the benefits which the Fair
will bring to the city.
There are merchants, real estate own
ers and others who will, both directly
@Nf
the Fair, who have, as yet, shown no
disposition to assist the Fair Associ-
alton in any way. Surely it cannot be
their intention to continue to occupy
such a position. They cannot think
that they are doing their part as
citizens. They are as much interested
in the Fair as the Board of Directors,
and yet the directors are not only con-
tributors, but are giving a great deal
of their time to matters pertaining to
the Fair without compensation. and
without the hope of reaping much
glory.
Every citizen who has as yet made
no contribution should ask himself if
he has done his duty in this matter of
the Fair, if he feels that in letting a
few of his fellow citizens bear all of
the responsibility and burden connect
ed with 1t he is acting as a good citi-
zen should. If he cannot answer these
| questions in the affirmative he should
lend helping hand. 1t is not yet too
late to do so. The committee on sub
scriptions is going to make a further
canvass, and no individual or institu-
ton should turn it away empty hand
ed