Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-16


1--WE recommend that all shows at
fairs be carefully scrutinized before
they are admitted, and that all in
decent or immoral shows be refused
admission to the grounds under any
consideration stated Commissioner
Of Agriculture John A. Roberts Of
Norway Wednesday. "The officials
should as carefully scrutinize each
game that asks admission to it's
grounds, and require a guarantee that
it is not gambling nor game of
chance and that no gambling device
or game of chance will be used on
the grounds by it,
Continuing, Commissioner Roberts
says:
THE managers of fair are very
busy people and we recommend that
the larger fairs employ one or more
persons, constables perhaps, whose
only duty it shall be to see that the
laws of the State in regard to gamb-
ling and the sale of Intoxicating Ii
quors are diligently enforced
I'm case of a complaint and EVIL
dence showing that the law against
gambling, games of chance, or the sale
of intoxicating liquors has been vio-
lated on the ground of any fair at it's
exhibition, the managers of the fair
should be in position to show that
they have been diligent in trying to
keep their grounds clear of all such
violations. They ought also to be pre-
pared to have the violators of these
laws promptly arrested, charges filed
against them before the proper court,
and evidence furnished the court to Sc
cure their conviction.
I'm this connection we wish to say
that all fair officials have shown a
disposition to keep their fairs clean.
1t might be well for the Legislature
to require an annual meeting of the
fair associations to be held in connec-
ton with this department, for the
consideration of matters that are of
common interest, the same to be held
before premium lists are issued. The
attendance at such meeting by a rep
resentative of society might be made
a prerequisite for obtaining the sti-
pend, and to prevent this being a
hardship upon small societies the ex-
pense might be taken from the appro-
priation for stipends.
THE annual exhibitions of the va
rious agricultural societies have been
up to the usual standard, with an &C.
cssional exception, while few have
attained a higher excellence than ever
before. The officers of these associa-
lions devote very much time and abil-
ity to making their affairs successful
and pleasing to their patrons The
associations at Lewiston, Waterville
and Bangor receive special appropria-
lions from the State, the amount CIV
en- to Lewiston and Waterville being
$500 each, and to Bangor s175O. The
State pays a stipend to other regu-
larly organized societies, numbering
about 40. The sum received by So
ciety is dependent upon the amount
of premiums paid by it, compared
with the amount of premiums paid to
all societies. The total paid out for
these fairs during the past year was
$14.S23 and the largest sum paid to
any society was $1s17.30, to the North
ern Maine Fair Association at Presque
Isle, and the smallest was $1S.6S, to
the Embden Agricultural Society.
There are also a large number of
local fairs held by Oranges and other
organizations, which do not draw sti-
ponds. Some of these latter are real
cattle shows, while others confine their
work to hall exhibits. The social spir-
it enters very largely into the conduct
Of these shows. Many of them secure
speakers on farm questions. They are
al IO. hxr fo,s fosx
of much value to the nearby commu-
nifty. One of these which I had the
pleasure of attending had 175 head of
neat cattle and large number of
horses and other stock. The hall ex-
hibit was also very fine. Another one
1 attended had large hall crowded
with fruit and other farm crops of
high quality. They held open for two
days and had several speakers in at
tendance. Other fairs of this class
have done equally well. OF the fairs
paid a State stipend, the most are do
ing good work. There are, however, a
limited number that for one reason or
another are in a very bad shape.
There are also a few fairs of this
class that have no really good excuse
for further existence.
We recommend to societies receiving
State stipend that they give larger
attention to farm crops. More and
larger premiums should be offered.
Whenever practicable, premiums should
be offered on animals of either sex
for work continued over period of a
year or longer; such animals, and the
results of their work, to be shown
at the annual fair inducements
should be made to bring in work of
schools as is now done by few So
cieties. Arts and manufacturers