Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-02-16
STATE VS.. DISTRICT FAIRS.


However many may be the merits OF
the claims of Fargo and Grand Forks
as to the location of the state fair, it is
certain. that the state fair matter does
not exercise a beneficial effect upon
legislation in general 1t is only nat
ural that the representatives especially
interested in the two towns should take
pride in the alternate possession of the
fair, and that the permanent location
would be desirable,: from their points
of view.
It is not difficult, either, to enlist
on one side of the other, various other
representatives from different parts of
the state, either through sectional pride
or for any one of number of reasons.
The effect of this is to tinge much
other legislation with state fair color,
and to align forces for or against some
measures with view to its effect on
the state fair proposition:
Now that the matter has been dis
posed of, it should be remembered that
this matter is local, to a large extent,
and that there is nothing about it that
should alarm or agitate the people of
a great state. 1t is purely an incidental
matter There is much other legisla-
ton of vast importance to the people
the lettering of our educational insti-
tutions, the improving of our farming
and stock. raising system, the render
ing of our tax system more adequate
!. and fair, the exlarging of our schools
and the making of better young men
4 and women. Indeed, there are so
+ many matters in which the legislator
can exercise his best efforts and ener-
gies, that it is wonder the state fair
matter has taken up so much time and
attention. '&% II
The fair has its place, but at the
present time it is neither of primary
Or secondary Importance in the econ
omy of the state. >'
That was wise declaration that
matters are not settled until settled
right The state fair proposition was
not settled right. when it was removed
from Mandan and placed on wheels
and tie Tribune at that time prophe-
sled that this fact would be realized in
time. The Tribune did not believe then
and it does not believe. now that the
good to come from a state fair, even
= at one place permanently, can ever ap-
! proxinate the value to the agricultural
interests of the state that local or dis
trict fairs would be. The conditions of
soil and climate in this state are so
different that the exchange of views
and recital Of experiences, the farmer
from the Missouri Slope and western
part of the state with the farmer from
the Red River valley, will profit neither
but little, while comparison of expert
ments made under the same conditions
might and undoubtedly would result in
y success following failure in the case of
thousands of Woodworking but nlisdi-
rected and uniformed farmers. The
district fair would be brought close to
the farmer and the expense of attend
ing, with his family, and the cost of
transportation of live stock and other
exhibits would not be so burdensome
as to be practically prohibitive. The
sport, the race horse man, the patent
churn agent the farm machinery ex-
4 hibitor and other familiar characters
at expositions Of this nature, will not
want for time or means to take in these
long distance events, but the farmers
wife, and the man who does his own
chores will seldom get beyond his own
immediate vicinity even though the at
& fractions may be greater. District and
county fairs are the most beneficial to
the average farmer and stockn1an. The
great expositions, that have outgrown
territorial limits, like the northwest
5ern exposition in the Twin Cities, will
s attract those who can afford the ex-
VI pense Of the trip and It IS doubtful il
y the state fair proposition in this state
VII ever equal the anticipations Of its
n most sanguine advocates. Certain i is
that as It j snow situated rival com
rnunities will not only impoverish Them
selves under the stress #of local pride,
n in Ire strife al other communities and
Interests * drawn into the mire Of & Il IL