The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-21
VALUE OF STATE FAIR.
Topeka Man Writing in ssThe Spirit of
the West'' Discusses 1t.

]. w: Thompson of this city. editor of
the Southwest Department of 1.-The
Spirit of the West" an Iowa farm
journal of interstate reputation, has, in
the last issue of that periodical written
a most interesting and instructive ar
t1cle on the many benefits of state
fairs to the state at large in which
they are held, and to every individual
who completes there for live stock, grain
and fruit honors. The article is espec-
tally timely considering the fact that
Kansas this year has awakened to the
need of fair worthy of the state, and
is bending every effort to hold one on
big scale at Topeka next fall. 1t is
interesting to the entire state for the
reason that the fair management will
next winter ask the legislature for aid
in building up the fair to the same pro-
portions of other states, who have, in
their turn, been helped in the same
way The following are the strongest
points brought out in this state fair
sermon by Mr.. Thompson and should
encourage every citizen of the most re-
mote community to work and talk Tor
the fair and so express himself to his
representative in the legislature:
1.-THE testimony to the commercial
and educational value of wisely con-
Quoted state fairs, recently given by
number of governors and other pubic
functionaries of states where these IN
situations have been regularly in oper-
alton, should practically settle, with all
reasonable minds, the question OF their
utility and worth as investments. The
last public address delivered by the
martyred president, the beloved VIM.
Mckinley. was given at Buffalo, N. y,
at the exposition held there, and was
devoted to setting forth the many
benefits to be derived from such agen-
cies and encouraging a larger employ
of from men In the
Hottest stations in our national and
state life. eminently POSTPONED ana
fitted to form and pronounce judgments
in the matter, comes unanimous YER
dict in favor of the state ana natlonal
exposition as one of the effective agen-
cies for building up a higher clVlllza-
ton, and enhancing the progress anu
welfare of our people at large
1.-The office of the fair or exposition Is 70
collect together, from the territory oi liz
nation or state, the best that can be sup,
Dlied from every department or practicai
life, and put it side by sloe Win Wh a.
others of the same craft are slrNils ~ ~
produce. and determine, by comparison OF
contrast which is actually superior. WIN
the aid of expert judges, giving consehe
sus of opinion of the best lnI4Iea AZ
particular direction, and submitting every
thing TO the most thorough and PANS
taking inspection which they may be dis.
nosed to extend, for forming independenI
Judgment, the advantages are manlfold
greater than any other method suppheo
for getting at what Is truly and IN every
shon- factory, or on the farm, alone, with
none to compare or contrast with, OF oii-
ferent type or mold the natural result 10 Is ;
to come to the conclusion that what mas
become perfectly accustomed to and IA
miIiar with, is about right and perfect IN
all respects. SO that very gss sre de t
come to be regarded as natural anu wen
enough: o SCORES Of reasons why all
! hot would be DrORreSSlNG
| and thoroughly up-to-date. in all the com
modities they produce, should furnish the
zenship to profit by and enjoy the very
best that the money and means at coili.
mand can provide in this direction: ana
entity with an existence and responsibility
| ali its own, should take up and c,scharge
| its obligations fully as commemorative 70
| its citizenship by conducting annually
state fair ND to the full measure and pro-
portion of its wealth, and ADAPTED to IT'S
special wants and fonoi II is q having s
! Venture or not in direct manner In dol
| lar and cents. Educational movements are
not to be put on that basis. ana gsnera aa;
are sIIpposed to cost something in immedi-
ate outlay a species of seed sowing that
always looks to a crop TO De gaTnereo III
| the future, but that yields, all the more,
| a more abundant increase, to reward the
! wise husbandman for his faith and EFFORT
But the witness of those VINO nave 81 IN
| in their testimony Is. that under 1udic!ous
management these general exhibitions
| may be made to carry and pay for them
selves, and even to make a return as a
commercial investment for the outlay IN
volved in them. AS an advertising agency
| they can not fail to be profitable, beyond
| ali else employed, for such purpose. Also,
| as giving prestige and position to state
| in the nation, they must have some effect,
! as discovering state pride and ampltlon'
| highly to be commended and emulated.
| From every viewpoint, there is every
| thing in favor of them, and nothing
| against them, worthy of a spirited and
| progressive peoples consideration