202 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



H. H, Barton, Mayor of Des Moines. 

 Mr. President, Members of the Iowa Fair Managers' Association: 



I know that you expect me to say that this is an honor and a great 

 pleasure to welcome you to Des Moines, as that seems to be the customary 

 way of making a welcome. I assure you that I do extend to you this 

 welcome in all sincerity. 



Now, my speech, gentlemen, is going to be a little like the ladies' modern 

 dress, it wJl be long enough to cover the subject, and short enough to be 

 interesting. (Laughter.) In looking over this crowd of gentlemen, it 

 seems to me that this is certainly a very representative gathering from 

 all over the state of Iowa. It seems to me that none are in better posi- 

 tion to keep Iowa famous than you gentlemen here. 



A few days ago a gentleman came into my ofRce who had recently 

 returned from California, and he told me that he had been in California 

 as a resident there for nine years, having lived formerly in Iowa. I asked 

 him, "How does it seem to get back to good old Iowa after an absence of 

 nine years?" and he replied, "It does seem mighty good to me." And in 

 speaking of California he said, "The trouble with the fellows out there 

 is that it is a land of beautiful flowers and notorious liars." (Laughter.) 



Now, gentlemen, this is the point. The more I see of Iowa the less I 

 think of the outside. (Applause.) I don't believe that we appreciate the 

 resources which we have within our great state. This appealed to me as 

 being a sort of family gathering. I don't know how to compare it to any- 

 thing else. Now, in your deliberations I know that they will be profit- 

 able, but I would suggest to you that you get out and see what we have 

 in Des Moines and enjoy yourselves, and I hope that you will be so well 

 taken care of while you are within our city that it will be your fond ambi- 

 tion to again return to Des Moines for your next convention. 



Now, gentlemen, I greet you and welcome you to our city, and if there 

 is anything in the virtue, the old saying of turning over the keys to the 

 city, the keys are in your hands, and I know they are in very safe keeping. 



I thank you. (Applause.) 



The Toastmaster : I see that I am on here for a response, and 

 I am sure that I can keep the mayor company, because mine will be 

 so short it won't even cover the subject. (Applause and laughter.) 

 We certainly are glad to be in Des Moines again as fair managers, 

 I think it is about the thirteenth or fourteenth annual convention 

 that we have held here, and I presume we will continue holding 

 them here as long as you have a city big enough to hold us, and I 

 assure you that we appreciate your good welcome. 



I next have the pleasure of introducing to you the Hon. J. B. 

 Weaver, whom you all know, and who needs no introduction. Mr. 

 Weaver. 



