The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-23
.COLORED PEOPLE
TO HOLD BIG FAIR
Association Will Ask Legislature
for Aid to Show Develop
lnent Of Race.
TO OPEN HERE IN OCTOBER
Committees at Work in All Coun-
ties, Arousing Interest in
Movement.

rhe Colored State Fair Association.
recently chartered by the State Cor
poration Commission. is arranging 70
have a big exhibition next October. at
the close of the Virginia State Fair
Association. A committee from the coll
ored association has already appeared
before tho senate FINANCE Committee
to ask for an appropriation to aid tho
Organization in its first effort. and
another committee has been appointed
TO appear before the Legislature to
ask for help.
Committees are now busy organic
ing all counties. cities and towns OF
the state By appointing agents and
commissioners to encourage members
Of tlieir race to make and produce ex-
hibits at the fair.
1t is pointed out that both North and
South Carolina make annual appro-
priations to aid the negroes In hold
ing State fairs, and that. therefore,
Virginia should not neglect to aid in
this effort, especially at 1t is the yir-
GINA colored mans first attempt of
the kind.
II is also pointed out that the vir-
ginia negroes have made much pro-
gross and desire to bring to Richmond
and place on exhibition the results of
their achievement. The white race,
1T is further argued, had aided the
colored populace in this progress. and
the negroes desire to show tho evil
farm and in the workshop and the
handiwor1s oft tho
Appeal to Merchants.
In support OF its plea the colored
association has addressed the follow
ing letter to the Retail Merchants AS
ISOLATION, signed by D. Webster Davis.
president; Giles B. Jackson, director
general. and r. L. Hill, treasurer:
This letter is to call your attention
to the fact that the colored people Of
Virginia have formed an association
for the purpose of holding an annual
fair in this city. You are no doubt
done by our people in nearly all of the
Southern States for a number of years
past. We believe that the negroes Of
Virginia. representing as they do the
most progressive element OF our race
in this country. cannot afford to be be-
hind in SO important an enterprise
that will make for their highest devcl-
opment. This matter has already been
delayed too long.
ITO this end we have incorporated
the Colorcd state Fair Association to
take up this most important work. and
propose to hold our first State fair in
this city next fall, at the close OF the
fair regularly held by our white cit
liens. and they have very generously
entered into an arrangement whereby
we can have tho use of their grounds,
rs we'll as their good will.
we hardly feel 1t necessary to call
your attention to the need of a sep
arate fair by our people to relieve
situation which at times becomes en-
barrassinS to both races. Races, like
individuals. must rise or fall upon their
own merits, and both whites and bucks
have long since come to the conclu-
sion that separation is the best for
both parties, while working in per-.
feet harmony and giving mutual aid
for the development of our beloved
State.
Want Moral Support.
I'VE have a thorough organization
of every county. city and town in the
State. and propose to make our fair
positive success along every line. To
do this. like oil other organizations,
we must have the moral and financial
ass!slaHce Oh aiA WHO arc concerned IN
the best interests of our State. This
fair will bring to our city thousands
of the best element of our people,
who will naturally spend thousands of,
dollars. The profits arising from this
expenditure VIII naturally come to the
Retail Merchants Association, and
therefore we believe that they Will
take some positive steps to aid us in
this laudable endeavor. We are writ
Ing to you to ask for your indorse-
ment and support of this fair and that
you contribute to the fund we are en-
deayoring to raise to make this a COM
plete success. You can make this con-
tribution in any way that may meet
your best judgment, and we shall be
delighted to hear from You and be
glad to receive any suggestions that
you may wish to make"