Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-09-30
ABOUT MONMOUTH FAIR

ABOUT MONMOUTH FAIR
A Journal reporter was sent to re-
mort the fair at Monmouth last week
Dispassionate reading of his report
We hink, shows that the exhibits
there we're highly creditable, but
that the Impressions he received from
witnessing the pulling contests pos
aibly were excessively emphasized. Al
least might be expected to seem 80 to
some of the Monmouth people. Much
depends on the viewpoint. Surely
with humane agents known to be In
attendance 1t seems unlikely that the
fair management would knowingly
permit cruelty. and what might
seem like cruelty to the Journal re-
porter and to Governor Baxter might.
TO those individuals accustomed 10
see horses and oxen pulling loads
merely appear a part Of the days
work.
Hirh- strung athletes under the
spur OF cagerness for victory are
more likely to overstrain themselves
than are oxen under goad or lash
but 1t is optional with the athlete.
It il not optional with the OK. Horses
seem to enter into the spirit OF
race, but we doubt II this often hap
pens in the case Of pulling contests.
Then. of what good are these pull
ing contests? Because hundred
years ago when every farmer had at
least one pair OF oxen and the Prov
ess OF their respective teams Of oxen
and horses were subject of CONVEX
sation and banter: at a time when
the pulling qualities were In great de-
mand under the conditions Of living.
when II was very desirable to devel-
op those qualities. the pulling con-
test at the fair was a Significant
event. And, however hardhearted
might be the owners OF those teams,
they would be reluctant to strain
them. Nevertheless 1t is extremely
probable that under the excitement
Of contest there were instances when
they did so. instances OF cruelty. in
stances of bad impression so made
on young America looking on.
The presence Of the humane agent
ought to be SUFFICIENT check, but
doubtless not always is. The audi
cnce is today more impressionable
respecting such scenes and less OK
perienced. The struggle might to
such seem cruel, when as an actual
fact 1t wasn't.
But to get back to the start Is
there any possible good to be derived
today from such contests that, aside
from the principle involved, would
as a matter Of practical fact warrant
the continuance OF exhibitions which
do affront more and more people. do
not edify the minds of the young
and do offer opportunities for cruel
ty? And in fairness ought anyone
raising that question to be thought
sunduly meddlesome? 1t does not
seem so to US.
The journal reporter did not allege
any unusual cruelty but on the con-
trary called special attention to the
tact that "Such contests are staged
At other fairs in the State" His re-
marks were intended to be taken as a
suggestion that all fairs would be
better without such contests unless
The, could be conducted without I'M
due urging Of the horses and oxen.
II, however. 1t Is thought advisable
to hold these contests, let it be I'M
derstood that all drivers will be bar
red from using undue persuasion with
their teams; that the judges in max
ing awards shall consider the meth
DDS Of the drivers. Some Of the best
pulling teams the writer ever saw
were driven by owners who spoke
to teams in a moderate voice and
when a whip or goad was used, mere
ly touched the horse or OK lightly but
sufIiciently to let 1t be known what
was wanted.
The writer was acquainted with a
man who, before the Bangor and Pts
cataquis r. r. was built. used to do
trucking between Dexter and Moose
head Lake. This driver had one Of
the lightest teams on the road. and
vet he had the reputation of having
the best pullers. He frequently would
sell q pair Of horses for good price
on the strength Of their pulling quail
tiles. He has told the writer many
tinss that when he purchased a new
pair he was always careful never to
oysrload them until he got their en-
tire coincidence. and made them be-
usse that they could haul any load
that he hitchsd them to.
VAiie Ceolidgs's 4nsniss declare
No = unilt 70 b rrssidsnt because OF
his silencs. .-Mothsr' Jones. for ysars
- defender Of labor. says she win
vees Tor him hscAuse he doesn.,
sblev &c much stsanp' apd knows
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