The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-12
THE FAIR NEEDS y UNITED RICH
A0ND

In AN editorial Oh October the first entitled
..f,amiline. ~ Fairs" The lEirgnidn called al
,onf;on Il, Inc fact that the old agricultural tairs
were broken nh and abandoned because they BE-
came offensive IL the moral sense OF our people
and il was insisted that il Is absolutely fSseh'la
10 the permanent prosperity al any eNhlbitioh
like the state + air HAT il shall have the support
ef the moral clement Of this community ="
obtain this hearty support the AIR must be tree
from tlose things which arc dlstastetul, II not
abhorrent, IL a great many ebureh=solng people
/, may be- said that such people need not 60 to
the Midway. and witness The saudeeilie' OF par
ticipate in the games Of chance, but they should
not object II other persons desire the presence ot
these things and enjoy them.
Bu, tbs reasoning will not be satisfactory
or convincing 10 those who object 10 these things.
They view the Fair as an institution under o1e
management aud feel that they cannot commend
ii 10 others attend II themselves II II contains
features which they think 10 be damaging 10
young people, for they know that The young are
not able Ia discriminate i'll such matters, and
attendance upon tho Fair will probably mean the
SIGHT # HE et4l - @seell n 1t the good
Ii is not surprise that the Ministerial Asso-
citation should discuss matter 20 Important 10
the welfare Of their people. For two Years past
the Methodist ministers have appointed com
miftees to confer with the President OF the ran
concerning improper performance and games
and the fact tia, the Ministerial mon and tbs
Bapfists ministers conference have this year ap
pointed like committees In wait Oh The Board 81
Directors emphasizes the fact that 1t Is only 8
matter Of time uheu an influential element il
the community will inevitably Array itself
against what ii considers to be damaging 10 good
morals This element may tolerate such thlng>
for wear or 80 az .xcrescenscs, bur when they
ann. ar AS a fixed attraction a. part of the Fan
IL be expected Just "a much the cattle. horses
fruifs. grain. ,fe this element will inevitably
become restless and uneasy. and finally will no
only refuse 10 support the air, but Will b'
obliged 10 condemn II, and 10 urge others 70 Say
away.
II j. important 10 Richmond that the entire ely
shall be able 10 unite heartily in support Of th'
Fair Among the Directors some Of th'
leading men If Richmond, who are interested il
The moral as well rs the material welfare of th'
city and who are sacrificing personal Interests
for The pubics good. The committee OF tb'
ministers viii doubtless be heard with respect b,
] these men. and il i certainly Ia be hoped, III
deed ii l. % be expected that such conference
will result In such an understanding hat th'
city can unite III enthusiastic support Of tn,
Fair
No Que desires Ia damage the Fair he crit
cisln i moi directnd against the essential Gle
incnts Of the Fair b1,t against those things
which arc lii the Judgment Of many damaging 4
good morals. and in some instances contrary II
law These things can be prohibited By 1ho po
lice at any time thar positive orders are eiYcl
them 10 acf.
7bc Tngnuan ha. done all it could to max,
the Fair "a real success. 1t privately called tbs
attention OF some of the Directors 10 biectlon
able things. and several Of the Directors assureo
a. that they did not approve Of some Of The
shows thai they had refused TO license any
gambling device, and that It their aim ana
intention to eradicate, as far as possible sucf
featnres a. eaTe cause for complaint.
We believe the Directors will meet the Com
mtee Of Ministers IN the spirit OF co-operaion
aud will respond tavorablv 10 the sentiment
which they represent, Richmond Day made
the Fair success bur il united Rtichnlond
which did ii. The Directors must see 10 il thai
there i. united Richmond again next year. II
not the Fair viii be doomed 10 gradual de-
cline.