The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-06-27
Secretary J. E. Pogue
Tells About Revolution
In This Respect
DEMAND Of THE PUBLIC

The North Carolina State Fair is to
be a Leade in the Very Highest
Classes Of Attractions is h Posi-
ton Taken BY Its Secretary Who
Writes Interestingly in The Bill
board" Concerning Amusements al
the Fair.
This is an age in which the people
in their amusements are demanding
those that are first class and of clean
morals. In this respect there has been
an advance up and down the line, SO
that in the great mixing Of crowds
that are features of big State Fairs
the demand has grown, and has be-
come imperative for midway attrac-
tons that are worth while, and that
are clean.
That such attractions can be had is
a certainty, and this without any loss
in the amusement features and shows
at a fair. 1t is easy to demonstrate
by the cash receipts that the clean
annual meetings Of the people, and
those who patronize shows that get
the reputation Of being of the unclean
class slip in and out of them, and are
unwilling to let right thinking people
catch them in the act. The advance
of the times has happily put the mark
Of dlsapprOEai upon such exhibitions,
and it is the rule that these get into
first class fairs by stealth and misrep-
reservations.
The State Fair Of North Carolina is
one that proposes to take an advanced
position in respect to having none but
clean shows on it's midway, and the
entire State is to be congratulated on
such a determination. Such has been
its in past years, but despite
all precautions some unworthy shows
have been foisted on the people, and
the people. as soon as they recognized
this. have raised voices Of protest, Col.
Joseph E. POgue, secretary Of the
North Carolina State Fair las an
nounced that at the. fair this year he
proposes more than eve to be on the
alert to keep out unworthy shows, and
the executive committee has officially
gone on record as desiring only amuse-
ments Of a high class. In the current
issue Of The Billbord," a leading
amusement weekly of America. which
is a fair and carnival lumber there
are many articles concerning the
amusement features offered the pub
lie. the tone Of these articles indicating
that everywhere the demand is for the
clean attraction. The leading article
in the issue is by Col Pogue, and UNI
der the head of 'Amusements at the
Fair" he takes high ground for the
best, his article being as follows:
p. I. Barnum. late king Of the saw
dust arena, uttered an eternal truth
when he said the people must be
amused The fair midwa has come
to stay, but not as formerly with its
rag ronts n it's offensive. vulgar
platform exhibition. In former wears
fair managers were always ready and
apparently happy to book their mid
way a~sgregationS catch as cam TAX
ing pTOmiscuouS chances, good. bad
and Indifferent. all in a tumble. But
times have undergone great changes
and the public taste in these matters
mas followed suit. And reform is now
a national W~atchWord in social and
economic conditions. and a very diff
ferent proposition confronts the fair
in the selection Of his shows
and attractions, and a shrew6 wido-
awake manager Will be quickto inter
pref the demands of the people. as tho
hour mas struck for high-class disn,ay
or clean and up-to-date exhibitions
both free and paid. They must be
maze 10 harmonic with advancing
civilization. Everywhere and in every
phase Of public and private life in this
great Christian lane of ours. the SIGNS
OF the times point with unarring GER
tainty to a widespread revolution in
the public mind as to the character
and quality of public amusement If
whatever kind and wherever given
whether in the theatre, public marks
at street carnivals, racetracks. horse
shows. expositions. or state and county
agricultural fairs. It is now the ex-
ception. and not the rule. that all Of
~fensive. immoral or questionable shows
or exhibitions, as we'll as gam bling of
every species. are not absolutely pro-
hibited by the most stringent resula-
ton at the local management in obedi.