The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-04
A STRONG PLEA
FOR STATE FAIR.
Alderman Dabncy Presents Some
Interesting Phases Of the Great
Entertainment.
ALL GLASSES BENEFITED
Farmers, Merchants, Railroads
and Mechanics Share in the
Harvest.

"a glimpse Into details convinces one,
how every one should be an advocate
OF the proposed State Fair" said Alder
man Dabney yesterday.
The railroadE. with passenger and
product profit, the farmer with products
from mountains to seashore, and their
desire to see what others are doing, the
hotels and boarding houses. all would
reap q harvest. the printers would be
busy with advertising matter, the news
papers would have unlimited material to
publish OF great interest to the eople,
every mechanic would be employed, in
producing the best the shops could turn
out for the fair, the street cars, the cleo
trician, the wholesale and retail mcr-
chants would have plenty to do, making
new patrons and holding old ones Real
estate men would rejoice In the oppor-
tunity to show Richmond property and
progress. and healthfulness. and all the
world would know 1t.
Enthusiasm is as contagious as lazi-
ness. Let enthusiasm and you do some-
thing.
"As to the tobacco mon. one who knows
recalls their opposition OF at first to
their exhibit at the last fair we held,
but when the start was made, and the
staple SO common In their eyes, the leaf
and its manufacture, was nevertheless
a revelation to others and to Just those
whom we wanted to reach, that trade,
thus made the most attractive exhibit OF
all at the fair.
Surprise Them All.
"old Chesterfield county. ridiculed as
the poorest of counties, made an agrlcul-
tural product exhibit as surprising
others, as surprising to her own, as to
o.her people. and there are other such
surprises in store for the millions in our
mining. forestry and land products and
industries, that no other means but a
State fair could show to such an advan-
tage.
THE citizens OF our prosperous city
must assume the Initiative and the re-
sponsibility of the fair. Our legislators
are now assembled in the city, and now
Is the best time to approach these rep
resentatives in the interest OF the fair,
which, let 1t be understood. Is primarily
a business affair, combining and emtrac-
Ing exhibits of the States progress and
products.
From political standpoint, State fairs
promote homogeneity OF the people as
to the masses. and these are practically
the only times in life that the masses
may meet from all parts of the State
and country on common ground. and
thus become acquainted one with an
other.
Excellent Social Features.
The social feature OF the fair speaks
for itself. Those who have enjoyed them
know this best.
One finds in Europe that fairs have
been in continuous operation for years.
the multitude OF changes
in business and social conditions, this
one thing remains permanent and is a
growing feature rather than declining
one.
Let us. then, by the example of others.
hold fairs annually which feature has
been tried and proven a success amongst
all people and nations. i
With our fair proposition now fairly
on the way, 1t behooves every one of
us to be inspired by.it; SO let its banner
float on every breeze. until we accom-
plsh all ends of a grand State fair in
Richmond, that has never failed in her
undertakings.'