Arizona republican., 1908-04-01


 them is pride more worthily placed than In the Territorial Fair Different from any other in its origin and main tenence. and being in constantly great CT jeopardy through dependence upon public patronage, it's success has been more notable, and in a sense quite il- luminating. All other territorial insti- tutions are not enly created by statu- tcry organization but their continued operation is fully assured by funds either appropriated CT raised by tax ation. Be the administration good or Lad. the prison, the schools the asylum for the insane and all other territorial institutions, are certain of support and continued existence what ever the measure of Arizona's prOspe- rity. Of the territorial fair it may be said that it is a project depending mainly upon the honor and the enter prise of the people. It has official recognition and authority. a meager resource in the public funds. and legal restrictions commensurate only with this meager support.
 The wonderful success of the terri tOrial fair, which now has three an nual expositions recorded in the books, does credit primarily to the several officials who have had it's administra- tion in charge, but in a large degree the people of the territory generally are to be praised for their hearty cooperation and their liberal patron- age. A detailed history of the fair is not planned in this sketch but an outline of its origin and growth will no doubt be appreciated by the reader as both pleasant and profitable.
 The recognized advantages of the Salt River valley as a section for the raising of fine stock, was the funda- mental fact that made the fair a possi- bility. Particularly adapted to the raising of fine horses and the training of track animals in all seasons. among them midwinter when work of that sort is hard at best in most countries, harness racing enthusiasm has always prevailed here to some extent. Desir- ing to develop this field of activity one driving club after another had been organized. eventually perishing of its own weight when the dull season ap- preached. In the winter of 19O4-5. however, there was a reorganization of the driving club spirit on broader lines and with a higher purpose than it's predecessors. ]. C. Adams the owner of the largest stable in the val ley being one of the leading spirits. At the zenith or the season and while en- thusiasm was at it's highest. there was discussion Of the need of territorial fair. to further not only the raising of fine horses. but the many diversified interests of the territory. Mir Adams conceived plans that he believed would be practicable and put them into ex- ecution. being heartily aided from time to time by others as their services were asked for. Mir. Adams drew bills which he succeeded in having passed by the legislature that convened early in 1905 and which provided a fund of S15.O00 for fair buildings and an an nual appropriation of $7.5OO for main- tainence of the fair. A commission of three men was also provided for. to be appointed annually by the governor. to have charge of and conduct the an- nual exposition.
 It was recognized at the time that this fund was small for the purpose but it was a definite nucleus which would form basis of action. and was the needed encouragement for the en- thusiasm Of the community which had not been misjudged. The fair project of Mir. Adams had however not been considered with great seriousness for it was realized that the sum available would scarcely secure desirable fair grounds, to say nothing of financing an exposition. It was at this juncture that NIT. Adams unfolded the next feature of his plan and the one that made success possible. For the pur pose of it's unfolding he gave a ban quet to the business men of the city and a few representative citizens of other Arizona cities who chanced to be in town. At the proper time in the speech making program Mir. Adams suggested the organization of d terri torial fair association. incorporated for $5O, 1000. the stock to be subscribed for by the citizens of the territory and the money to be used in the purchase of grounds. the erection of the proper and the making of the neces- sary race tracks. This plant he sug- gested should be rented to the terri torial fair commission annually. for the nominal sum of $10 and placed at its disposal entirely during fair week, for the holding of the exhibition. The ''if'' in the road was the question of remuneration for the stockholders for the sum seemed too large to ask for as a mere donation The growth of the stock industry in all it's branches as resultant benefit though perhaps an indirect one was pointed out and readily and rightly seen by the guests. The new money that would be brought into this immediate locality by the holding of the fairs, the advertising