292
THE WEST SHORE.
HOW IT HAPPENED.
Hba m dainty craalara
Aa m yon did ana,
Hr thank inn lika tha paub-blow,
Ktm bin bloa maid ba
iler hair lika rlpplinf aunahina
frail aliaW tu lb Ium.
I ban not dm bar Jnatira,
No arliat eonld do Units
Depict Uia awaat, shjr eoynaaa
Bnmlb Iho rakiah ht
Th UnUlliinf dlmplM
IU narar oould fat at.
Thay ptajmd in wild abandon,
Thay naallad In Uit ohin,
And in among tha paarh-blow
Araapinc oat and in
Till all my hanrt aa aohini
To kiia whara thay bail baan.
Wa aat apon tha door atap,
Tha noon waa hanging low,
Tha Mara war laaning toward ni,
And all tha world below
Waa Mill aa parting lorara-
Haamad in torrid (low.
Now what tranapirad I'm oartain
I oavar eiHild maka elnar,
Hut thla-I fait a ill tilling
Hharp blow nion my aar
HI laft ma on Ui door atap
With thought yon ahall not hoar.
Hot that la bow it happnd,
lAnd-yon will all agra
That arniilng aflar dimplaa,
I aald waa not for ma
And a I took to Hlarkatona
And lat Uia maiilan ha.
HKU LINTON.
THE) OREGON 8TATB FAIR.
One of the annual evonta of Oregon is the fair, hold
every BoptemW nt Siilom, known aa tho " State Fair."
These exhibitions are largely attended, chiefly by resi
(lciiU of the Willamotto valley, though numbers come
from Kastern Oregon, Southern Oregon, Northern Cali
fornia, and even from more romoto localities, Crowds
oomo in wagons and camp near tho grounds during the
fair week, making this a holiday season in which thoy
may enjoy a brief vacation and rest from the year's toil
on the farm. The hotels and private houses of Salem
are crowded with visitors, the streets thronged with pe
destrians and vehicles, and the city presents for a week
an exceedingly lively appearance. The grounds are lo
cated about two miles from tha city, and are reached by a
splendid drive and by the 0. A C. railroad. During the
progress of the fair local trains are run every few min
utes, and constant stream of hacks, 'busses, carriages,
wagons and conveyances of all kinds, passes backward
and forward on the drive. The grounds are large, en
closed by high board fence, and are supplied with nu
merous large buildings for the various needs of the fair,
splendid race track, pens for the display of stock, and
all the accessories necessary for a successful exhibition.
The fair recently held, extending from the thirteenth
to the eighteenth of September, was a most successful
one financially. Two years ago, the socioty having be
come involved in debt to the extent of about f27,000.00,
the legislature eame to its relief with an appropriation
of t5.000.00 annually for two years. With this aid, aud
more judicious management, $7,000.00 of debts were
cancelled last year. The surplus this year will be about
the same amount, reducing the debt to that extent
When this load shall have been lifted from the society's
shoulders, it will be in a condition to give Oregon an
exlilit mora representative of its varied interests, and
more creditable to the state.
The directors of the fair realize that the display of
stock, machinery, agricultural products, manufactures,
minerals, natural resources, etc., has not in the past
been as complete as it should be, and the Btate has never
been fairly represented. They are anxious to correct
this evil, and propose to nse every possible means to in
duce a 'general display from every portion of the state.
It is recognized by them that the feature of horse raoing
has been allowed too much prominence, and while they
do not propose to reduce this attraction, which is no
doubt one of the strongest the fair can have, they do in
tend to give more attention than formerly to the other
elements which constitute a complete and successful ex
hibition. A number of good suggestions have been
made, some or all of which will no doubt be adopted.
It is first suggested that a man of capacity and experi
ence be employed as superintendent, not only of the ac
tual conduct of the fair, but of the preliminaries; that
lie begin his labors in sufficient season to visit every
portion of the state and make arrangements for the
presence of exhibits from all localities, and representing
every branch of industry and every form of natural re
sources. ' Another suggestion is that a first premium of
$1,000.00 be offered for the best county exhibit, with
second and third premiums of less amounts. This
will not only stimulate rivalry and bring out more and
bettor displays, but by the increased interest created
will add largely to the attendance. A third idea is that
of forming a military encampment of the militia of the
state, at which there shall be oompetative drills, sham
battle, dress parades, battalion drills, etc; and that in
stead of offering a large cash prize, a suitable state
championship gold medal be given to the best-drilled
company, ana the sura which would otherwise be given
as a prize, say $500.00, be devoted to aid in defraying
the expenses of the encampment. This would also as
sist in drawing a large attendance from all over the state.
There are numerous others, all of them tending to in
crease the attractions and create new interest in the fair
in sections which now view it with indifference, and
nuke it even more popular in that portion of the state
which is now almost its whole support
In discussing this question much has been said about
changing the location of the fair to this city. It is em
inently proper that a state fair should be held at the
capital of the state, especially when that place is a city of
the size of Salem, and possesses the needed facilities.
AH effort to remove it from its present location is un
wise, and a discussion of the question has a tendency to
do harm by creating a feeling of bitterness which can
only be detrimental to the society. Harmony and a
united effort to gather at Salem, in 1887, an exhibit of
products, resources, manufactures and stock that will be
fairly representative of Oregon, and present a list of
attractions that will draw the people, will work a won
derful revolution in the fair itself and in its reputation
among those upon whom it must depend for support