Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1915-11-23
ARE FAIR.

Notwithstanding the fact that the
county court seems determined to cur
tail every possible expenditure fol
the next year, and the further fact
that no uncomfortable dissatisfaction
exists regarding an appropriation OF
money for the maintenance OF the
county fair under existing circum-
stances, The Observer cannot believe
that the governing body would act
wisely in cutting off the allowance of
that institution while it is still in its
infancy. Much time and effort are
necessary to bring success to under
takings of this character. The last
annual event showed great improve
ment over its predecessor, thus giving
evidence of increased interest on the
part of the inhabitants OF the coun-
ty, who are really responsible for its
success. The city of Dallas in pro-
viding grounds without cost to the
association has seemingly contributed
literally to the fair, but aside from
this its people meet other demands
upon them in order to make the an
nual event successful. If there is a
disposition on the part of individuals
in rural sections of the county to rel
egate the fair to oblivion, there are
even more who are enthusiastically in
favor of its maintenance, which seems
to be quite impossible without pub
lie aid
The statement that the county fair
is purely Dallas institution is with
out foundation, although it, is true
that Dallas gives it the greater sup
port. If those persons who are IN
clined to criticise the management,
and the fair itself, would lend their
cooperation and good offices to the
undertaking what is now meager
exhibit of Polk county products could
easily be made the biggest and best
assembling of blue ribbon showings in
the state. The very fact that the
collection here displayed was awarded
first prize at the state fair last fall
is proof of this assertion. And tins
award was duplicated at the Land
show in Portland, except that there
second prize was given, which alone
saved the entire Willamette valley
from utter defeat in competition with
other counties of the state. Polk,
with the exhibit gathered for the
county fair, was the only county west
of the Cascade mountains to receive
recognition at the Land show. And
the credit for this goes to the knock
er as well as to the booster who made
it possible.
If the management is not satisfac
tory to the people, as alleged by
some who disparage the appropria-
ton, it is within their authority to
effect an improvement through the
county court, which represents the
interests of the taxpayers. 1t is APP
parent to The Observer that those
who labor for the fair act accord
ing to their light, and if their efforts
are in vain there is abundant other
material available from which 10 Sc
lect. The fair is educational in its
scope. and is for the benefit of all.
Those who do not elect to take advan-
tage of it should not prove a draw
back to their fellows who profit from
it. If the county court, in its wisdom.
is not inclined to appropriate the full
amount asked for, it should not ex-
clude this commendable undertaking
altogether from its budget while the
institution is still in swaddling gar
ments. Another season will doubtless
prove the truthfulness or fallaey of
the allegations of the fellow who
would rejoice in seeing the court
withdraw its financial support.