Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-12-08
ToPsHAM FAIR.
CONTINUED from Page One.)

modate the treasurer and the ticket
sellers. Then the door keepers could
be stationed at the outside doors Of
the hall, and much better service could
be given.
Another matter | desire to call your
attention to is the complimentary tick
ct and free pass system now in use.
To my mind they serve no useful pHr-'
pose and are q detriment to the fair.
Members Of the press and invited
guests can be admitted to the grounds
without them and would recommefd
their abolition. and feel safe in say
ing that my predecessors to a largc
extent will agree with this proHpSi-
ton. Gentlemen. you have no ida Of
the trouble and annoyance these little
DIsteboardS cause your president. II
is one of those cases of something for
nothing, and at times he prays to be
delivered from his friends. Again the
members or family ticket is abused to
q greater OF less extent and some
means should be devised whereby each
ticket issued should admit those who
are entitled to go in and no others
With the expansion and growth OF the
society this department must be revis-
cd and l trust. gentlemen, that before
you close this meeting you will instruct
Your committee to take action in this
matter.
As certain gentlemen have seen
fit to criticise the conduct and
management of our fakir department,
one going so far as to demand thai
the commissioner Of agriculture with
hold our annual stipend from
the State, deem it my duty
at this time to call your attention to
the matter. The general mana cement
Of that department was assigned to
Mr.. Skelton, Who was in charge Of it
the previous year, and | am satisfied
that he performed his duties conscicn-
tiously and we'll and that through no
act Of his was any wrong done and |
have every reason to believe that this
department was conducted as cleanly
end rs well as that Of any society in
Maine.
We have always had the midway and
as far as we know no special narm has
been derived from it, We have never
licensed gambling or liquor selling. and
even though we had a desire to do 50
the State grants US no such authority,
that the officers of Sagadahoc fair
knowingly allow gambling and liquor
selling on it's grounds 7 say it is an
IMPOSITION and unjust. Vt is absurd. 70
say the least vice is not commenGable
i,t any form, then why should our So
cicty Which stands. if il stands for
anything. for improved social condi-
ttons as we'll as for improved agricLitu-.
IN ones, lend it's aid to wrong doing
The midway is a recognized depart
mont in all fairs, and While it may be
Geplorable fact, it is nevertheless true
il attracts more people than any other
place on the grounds. / am well aware
t.lat gamblers and blacklegs follow up
all fairs, as well as other places where
people congregate, and if possible ply
the nefarious calling. They are eau
tjous, cunning and shrewd. ever Oh the
alert and do their work when the Of
1iccrs back is turned and the superiil-
tcrdent is absent. These fellows are
hard to catch ana usually get out when
the police get on their trail But gen
tlemen, as there seems to be a great
moral awakening on this matter, let
us not pass it idly by. If our house is
filthy let US put it in order. II condi-
tions We're bad at our last fair they
have been bad for the past fifteen
years, net only ut our own fair but at
every other one in the state.
If Saga 1aluc fair is to be censured
there are others. So it would seem to
me that it was high time that the mem
bers Of different societies got together
and decided just what class Of fakirs
Should be admitted to their grouncs
and such rules and regulations be pru-
mulgated as shall conform to the laws
Of the land and the established rules VI
society.~If we have unWittingly permit
ted Satan to abide in our midst let US
cast him out. Let il never again lc
said OF US that for few paltry dollars
VIC have lowered the standing of the
old Sagadahoc fair.
Gentlemen. I thank YOU for the uni
form courtesy and kindness YOU have
shown nc during my torn Of Office, and
trust that the relations with nv sue
ccssora may be as pleasant as mine.