State Agricultural Society. 165 



rial produced having thus far overcome all the discouragements natu- 

 rally attendant on all new enterprises in new countries. 



Fifth — We are supplying not only large portions of our own State but 

 also a large portion of the marble that is used in Oregon. And by 

 receiving the fostering care and encouragement which its importance 

 demands, we hope to extend the demand for California marble until the 

 whole Pacific Coast and the "Islands of the Sea" shall pay tribute 

 towards the general wealth of the State, and thus give employment to 

 hundreds of our own people. 



The importance of the development of our marble quarries can 

 scarcely be realized, except by persons who have paid some attention to 

 this particular branch of industry. The development of quarries of 

 equal quality within the same distance of New York that these are 

 from San Francisco would add millions to the wealth of that State, and 

 it only requires time to produce the same results here. 



We have expended several thousand dollars in improvements and 

 machinery in developing it. 



For the above reasons we submit our claims, hoping you will appre- 

 ciate our efforts in building up the real interests of the State, as well as 

 cultivating a love for the beautiful, by awarding to us the gold medal 

 for the seventh department. 



AITKEN & LUCE. 



Sacramento, October 15th, 1870. 



STATEMENT OF S. W. SHAW. 

 Robert Beck, Esq., Secretary State Board of Agriculture: 



Dear Sir: Your letter of September twenty-second, informing me that 

 the Board required from all competitors for the gold medal premiums 

 at their late Fair a written statement, giving their reasons why these 

 premiums should be awarded them, was duly received. While this 

 requirement seems to me eminently just and proper, and calculated to 

 elicit a fund of valuable information in every department of agriculture, 

 it does not seem hardly the right thing for an artist to attempt to set 

 forth what he deems his own merits. 



Art has been considered in all ages worthy of the patronage and 

 encouragement of the State. Wherever it has flourished it has ever 

 been referred to as evidence of prosperity, high culture, and refinement 

 among the people. In a State like ours, so far removed from all the 

 great commercial centers, the devotee of art labors under peculiar dis- 

 advantages. There being no art societies or galleries for the exhibition 

 of their works, they are compelled to exhibit in shop windows or avail 

 of such other opportunities as are offered. Seeing this want in a new 

 State, the founders of the State Agricultural Society very commendably 

 established a department of art, and set apart certain moneys to be 

 awarded as premiums — the value of a premium not being the cash value 

 of the thing received, but the stamp upon it, declaring the receiver 

 worthy. 



The gold medal of the State Agricultural Society being a prize 

 worthy, and calculated to stimulate to higher efforts not only the reci- 

 pient but all others who are striving for excellence, if justly bestowed; 

 feeling confident that your honorable body fully intended to deal 



