The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-03-20
vox PoPULI.
SHALL WE HAVE ANNUAL FAIR
OR STICK TO MARDI GRAS?

L
vincing arguments in favor of an an
a Mardi Gras carnival. a selection of
the most suitable ones to introduce
first, is indeed diff1cult, there being
so many of almost equal merit.
AS the conditions of weather make
or mar the success of all outdoor ex-
ercises, we select weather conditions
for the opening argument. The an
nual fairs of all places holding them.
occur in the month of October, which
is almost without exception a dry
month, and being neither too cold nor
too hot, it is the ideal one Of the
twelve. 1t is then that the thrifty
farmer, the successful gardener the
poultrynan, the orchardist, the dairy
man and stock man, with their fami-
lies, can spare time to make Writ
of few days or weeks duration to
the fair, where they may compare
views with those who are more or
less successful than themselves in
their line OF occupation.
Besides this, they have ample time
to call on the merchants, manufac-
turers and other dealers of the city
holding the fair, which affords them
an opportunity to buy their dry goods,
hardware and groceries, renew or en-
ter their subscriptions to the news
paper, contract for any building they
may wish TO have done and enjoy the
fair all in one visit. In this way.
the banker. the editor, the merchant,
the mechanic and dealer are brought
in personal contact with a class of
people with whom it is both pleasant
and profitable to become acquainted.
nh m
tober are less liable to treachery than
the corresponding period of March,
and one rainy day can irreparably
ruin a Mardi Gras season which is
short-lived and can't be postponed.
We next approach the object and
achievements of an annual fair. It's
object is TO advertise in the most ef-
fective manner the city fostering it,
and to bring together once each year.
within the sphere of its hospitality,
those people whose patronage it en-
joys or seeks to secure, and. to enter
tain the stranger within its gates,
with demonstration of its civic pride
and progressive spirit. The records
of its achievements disclose many
names added TO population, many
columns of figures added to the mer-
chants ledsers, and an ever increas-
ing Importance of the city that sup
ports it. The annual fair repays
with compound interest all that can
be spent on it, no matter how lavish
~, if only tudiciously and does more
to ingratiate its parent city into the
fellowship and esteem of its patrons
and visitors than any other three
agencies combined. Quite an i'm
provement upon the achievements of
third class Mardi Gras carnival.
The next argument in favor of an
annual fair that we introduce is its
influence upon the good roads move
ment which is of such vital import
ance to every community. The inau-
guration of an annual fair always de-
velOps demand for high class horses
and vehicles and the owners of them
quickly develop into active and ef-
fective agitators for good roads If
the annual fair was denuded of every
other argument in its favor except
this one, it would still be worth many
times the cost of its maintenance to
the city supporting it, for there is
no other agency comforting so much
good upon so many, as good roads.
Nothing enhances the value of prop
erty along its route, or increases the
business of the city into which it
leads, so much as good road If We
are properly informed, but little good
roads construction is traceable to the
influence of a gay and giddy Mardi
Gras carnival.
The next phase Of the annual fair
to which we address ourselves is its
benefits to all deser ying classes. The
association that organizes 1t makes
an investment that earns cumulative
interest The property constantly in
creasss in value to an extent that is
surprising to those who have given -
little or no thought, and the annual
returns in revenue are equally as sur
prising. CThis feature will be dwelt
upon more at length later on). The
seller Of the property acquired for
fair grounds will be benefited to the
extent of finding sale for his prop
erty. The workmen who build the
walks, drives and race track, the car
penters who build the stands, stalls,
fencings, the contractors who furnish
the building material and merchants,
and grocery1nen with whom contract
ors and workmen trade will be bene-
fitted by the transaction, even before
the fair is launched. If our informa-
ton Is reliable, only one man tan
artist is benefited IN the matter of
employment by the association of
myth and mirth. The people pay the
freight and he paints the floats.
We now come to the Last argu-
ment that will be used in this group
in favor of an annual fair, which is
its stimulation of rivalry among en-
terprises. Nothing gives the impe-
tus TO wholesome competitor
among those engaged in diversified in
duStries that the annual fair develops
and encourages. Nothing else attracts
attendance from as great radius,
or inspires as great an interest among
the people Of the rural districts and
neighboring cities as the annual fair
under efficient management. In every
detail of its operation it encourages
the highest standard of excellence,
and is instructive in arts and indus
tries, as it furnishes happy and help
full intercourse between those who
strive to excel in either or both In
nothing else is pleasure and profit so
pleasantly united. The breeders of
fast horses, the owners of racing sta
bles, meet there TO try conclusions
in the contest for excellence, and the
incentive to excel is materially
strengthened. with the result that a
demand is created for the best that