292 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY 



build twenty-five new stalls to accommodate the exhibition of horned 

 cattle. We also built some 700 feet of new stables. 



The competition for all premiums offered was thrown open to the 

 whole world. I judge that a continuation of this policy, which I 

 hope will be continued, will soon cause the San Joaquin Valley Fair 

 to be generally considered one of the most important on the whole 

 coast. 



The exhibition at our Pavilion was never better, notwithstanding 

 the limited space. A display of the Stockton Furniture Manufactory 

 was a remarkable exponent of the progress of Stockton. Very fine 

 displays of oil paintings were made, attracting much attention and 

 favorable comment. The inventive genius of California, together 

 with farm products and fruits of the plains and foothills, were well 

 represented on the lower floor. The location of our headquarters is- 

 most favorable to these exhibitions, it being a central point for more 

 productive territory than that of any other Society of the kind west 

 of the Rocky Mountains. It has been remarked by strangers visiting 

 our city, during the progress of our fairs, that this central location, 

 together with the fact that the Society is the best managed of any on 

 the coast, gives us advantages possessed by none other. 



Thus far the Society's new Constitution has shown no defects, though 

 its operation through a series of years is necessary for us to arrive at 

 its positive value. 



Our Park covers about 120 acres of ground. Upon the north 60 

 acres are located our race track, grand stand, stables, etc. On the 

 south we have made less improvements, perhaps to a total value of 

 $1,000. These consist principally of fences built and shade trees 

 planted. I was surprised to learn that the city laid claim to this 

 south 60 acres, and that the Common Council proposed to exert 

 themselves to obtain possession of it. I was lately waited upon by a 

 committee of the Common Council, who demanded possession, or 

 that the Society take a lease of the land from the city for a period 

 not exceeding 10 years, at a yearly rental of $100. I refused both 

 propositions on the grounds of over 19 years ownership and payment 

 of taxes by the Society; that the property was given by Captain Weber 

 for the Society's use, and by the city granted to the Society; and that 

 no adverse claim had been made during all that time. 



At a regular meeting of our Board of Managers held yesterday, I 

 laid this matter before them and was unanimously sustained in my 

 action. 



I say that I am surprised at this action on the part of our city govern- 

 ment, because these fairs are a source of profit to a great majority of 

 our citizens, and only by their cooperation can they be made suc- 

 cessful. Our claim to this land is right and proper, and I recom- 

 -mend to the incoming Board that they see to it that our claim is held 

 good. 



With the year the terms of our State aid expired, and we should 

 prepare to maintain and carry on our fairs within ourselves. Our 

 Society only requires proper management, together with the hearty 

 cooperation of all our citizens, to make each annual fair of value to 

 all the district, and eminently successful in itself. Without State 

 aid only a few societies in this State, like ours, will be able to con- 

 tinue, as the new Constitution does not allow aid to be extended to 

 institutions not under the State management. In past years we 

 have demonstrated that there is no necessity that the new form of 



