The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-10-24

the State. I want to ask the cooper ation of the press along that line.
 T want to say. too, that much of our success in this venture has been due to that broadminded and progressive spirit, Governor Jelks. Without him, this Fair would not have been possible. . Next to him we owe much to that great minded. and gallant State Com missioner of Agriculture, Col. R. R.. Poole. Both these gentlemen have gone out of their way to aid us a number of times.
 Greatest Fair In Alabama.
 T do not believe anyoue will doupt we have the greatest Fair in Alabama since the war between the States. But the Fair Is capable of improve ment in the years that are 10 follow. It seems to be a fact .nst To Fair can be successfully conducted without racing. The laws of the State pro- hibit gambling, and to secure gooi entries, we hust have sufficient money in the purses to induce woners of fine horses to come here. Withou. men to devote time and money to pr'- ducing fine breeds of horses.
 Again. If we are to stimulate tn. farmers of Alabama in rcisipg higher grades of 'agricultura; prctucts an live stock. we must offer .irger prem. iums. For instance. next year. shouii like to see the prizes for the best county exhibits be ss.soo instead of $1.Ooo. as 1t has been this year. Other prizes should be increased as well. to stimulate the interest of the farmer in developing his agricultural r,o- ducts. For the purpose f thus en- couraging agriculture and stock rais- ing, we expect to go to the state Leg eslature at It's next sitting to ask al 900 to be paid as premiums for the furthering of agriculture in the State This money would be aid over to a committee appointed by the Legis- lature. for the purpose of mak'nS out list Of prizes to be offered to those farmers having Che best ex- hibits ct the State Fair '.ere.
 II want to see agricultural develop. ment carried on in this State to the point where we shall no longer speak of the poor farmer to the point where the farmer can hold his heal up. Can we do 1t? Let me l oad fsw figures. In the year 1903. the farmers paid into the State Treasury through taxes on agriculture S47.838.12. Dur ing the last five years thsy have add ed to the States wealth large sum. It is only right that the people should ave the privilege of contesttng for lums supplied from f nds towar1 which they have contributed SO much
 "In making this request. do not want to oppose other Fairs. l hearts ly endorse agricultural Fairs. l shouli like to see every county nave such fair But the State Fair should be In Montgomery. the logical center of the richest agricultural belt ~f the Stat, and these premiums should be paid out here."
 Freedom of Grounds.
 ~ff k0 editors the freedom of the graunds, and tho exercises were closed. The order for the remainder of the day was a go-as-you- please, ;,nd the par. ty of editors broke up in groups or twos and threes, and spent the aiter noon and the evening in visiting those portions of the Fair which held .hs greatest attraction Tor them.
 During the day. the Information Bureau of The Advertiser was the re- cipient of many ,.;alls from members of the Press Association. It was made the headuuarters for the grounds, ara many took advantage of Ire writlrS desk and the easy chairs m the bu reau ofice. Nearly all of 'be editors had had accommodations arranged lo. them through The Advertiser burea" andball had been well taken care or.
 A large number of inquidies wet9 received from people in other parts or the State yesterday. making inquiries for rooms and board, which were all attended to. a
 The close of the day saw crowd n, from 5000 to 10000 people visit tho Eair to see the evening attractions, Pompeii was well attended. as were the different Pike entertainments.
 As closing feature of Editors Day in the fyrotechnic display at the conclusion of "Pompeii." photographs fin fire were set off. of Major W. W. Screws, of The Advertiser. and R. E. l.. Mel of Selma, President Of the Press Association.