EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EEPORT. 259 



and 10th days of October. Everything was done, on the part 

 of the officers of the Society, that could well be, under the cir- 

 cumstances, to render the exhibition one of interest and useful- 

 ness to the great producing classes of the State; and, as we con- 

 fidently expected, the entries of animals and articles were larger 

 as well as the attendance of the people much larger than ever 

 before, from all parts of the State penetrated by railroads. Not 

 probably less than 20,000 people visited the grounds during the 

 Fair ; and while, in all such cases of great popular gatherings of 

 the masses, there was, as must inevitably be, more or less cause 

 of dissatisfaction and complaint, still, the Committee flatter them- 

 selves with the belief that as a whole it was a highly creditable 

 display, both to the State and to the Society, and a school where 

 those who attended with the right motives, profited more than 

 it cost. 



It has become obvious beyond dispute, that these agricultural 

 and mechanical exhibitions are, and will continue to be, the great 

 popular holidays of the people of our practical, progressive 

 country ; hence, it becomes an important question as to the pol- 

 icy that their interests demand, and also what aids they may 

 properly expect from legislators and railroad companies. 



From the former, it is too obvious to need argument, that 

 they may properly expect every aid and facility that will prove 

 profitable and useful to the great masses, whose interests they 

 represent. 



From the latter, to wit: Railroad Companies, they have a 

 right to expect every accommodation that can, in justice on the 

 part of the companies, be granted them. First, because railroad 

 companies, in the first instance, Avant, and constantly want, a 

 multitude of favors from the people, individually and legisla- 

 tively; and, secondly, because no one party or interest in the 

 State is more benefitted by accelerated advancement in agricul- 

 tural wealth and increased products, than railroad companies, 

 who must needs be the carriers of all these products to market. 

 We say this much on the subject, as bearing upon the policy 

 pursued by our railroad companies last season, of charging half- 

 fare upon animals and articles transported to and from the Fair; 



