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THE ILLINOIS FAEMER. 



Septembe 



ed the idea to you that I did not believe it was 

 true. If, (as you say), I first spoke of the report 

 to you, I think you are the only person to whom I 

 ever mentioned it, and whenever it was mentioned 

 to me I distinctly said that I discredited it. I re- 

 gret exceedingly, if I was so unfortunate in ex- 

 Sressing myself^ as to be thought by you to regard 

 [r. P. as guilty. 



I have known Mr. Phoenix for the last ten years, 

 and had denlings with him at different times, but 

 have never known anything in our intercourse 

 which would lead me to suspect him of dishonesty. 

 Had you written to me previous to the publication 

 of that article, I thiak I could have refreshed your 

 memory in respect to our conversation, so that Mr. 

 P. should not have seemed to suffer through any 

 words of mine. If Mr. P. is innocent, as I believe 

 him to be, he can soon set himself right through 

 the columns of the Mural, which, I am sure, will be 

 open for his vindication. 



Yours, for Justice and True Progress. • 



0. B. Galitsha. 



Lisbon, 111., June 81st, 1864. 



Remarks. — Of course we cheerfully give space 

 to the above letter. Mr. G. has stated the sub- 

 stance of our conversation in Chicago correctly in 

 the main. It was from him that we first heard 

 this rumor concerning Mr. P. And while we 

 think it trua that Mr. G. stated that he did not, or 

 could not believe it true, he conveyed the impres- 

 sion to oup mind that the source from which it 

 came, gave it a very bad look for Mr. P. And 

 when Mr. G. spoke to Mr. Minkler about it in our 

 presence at Rockford, and Mr. M. confirmed the 

 statement as having received it from a railroad 

 man who had charge of the transportation of these 

 willows, or knew of their transportation, we thought 

 so too. 



But it matters little to the public what Mr. Ga- 

 lusha's opinion concerning this story and Mr. 

 Phoenix is. The fact is, Mr. Phoenix either did or 

 did not cut or procure the cutting of swamp wil- 

 lows at or near, or in the region of Peoria lake. 

 We have given the names of parties through whom 

 he can trace the story that he did not do so, as he 

 asserts, we should think it a matter vital to his in- 

 terests to so trace it and explode it ; if he did do 

 so, of course he will care little about agitating the 

 subject further. Both his own and the public's in- 

 terest are involved in this question. Of course he 

 will look after his own, and we shall do what we 

 may to protect the public ; and no considerations 

 of a personal character will swerve us from our du- 

 ty in this respect. 



Mr. Galusha is right in supposing the columns 

 of the Rural are open to Mr. Phoenix for bis vin- 

 dication. — c. D. B. 



So long as Mr. Phoenix declines to explain the 

 matter why need others trouble themselves in the 

 premises ? The public are satisfied that thousands 

 upon thousands of cuttings of native willow have 

 been cut and sold for the white willow, and they 

 care little who did the selling. Suspicion is direc- 

 ted to Peoria Lake, and Phoenix is accused of being 

 the operator. If he is guilty, the least said the 

 better, if innocent, his denial should exculpate 

 him ; but this he chooses to withhold at present. 



Will he treat the charges with dignified contempt ? 

 We think not, unless he wishes to stand under the 

 obloquy. It is certain that the letters of Messrs, 

 Galusha and Minkler have failed to acquit him ; 

 the matter now rests with the railroad man. Who 

 is he — can Mr. Minkler tell us ? We wish to know 

 whence came the native willow that have been sent 

 broadcast over the State ; and will not our Fulton 

 county friends enlighten us as to the amount of 

 white willow in that county ? We panse for a re - 

 ply. — Ed. 



State Fair. 



JWe well recollect the many complaints that were 

 made last year by visitors to our State Fair, on ac- 

 count of high charges for everything here at that 

 iufe. We should profit by the experience of last 

 year and try to remedy the diflSculty this season. 

 Men who visit Fairs expect to be liberal with their 

 money, but they do not like to huve it extorted 

 from them. We should therefore commence early 

 preparations this season to furnish suitable accom- 

 modations for visitors at the Fair. The persons 

 who have the matter in charge should commence 

 at once, and when they have perfected their ar- 

 rangements, give notice through the press, so that 

 visitors may have some assurance of a place to 

 sleep, and a place to get their meals without hav- 

 ing to pay thribble prices. 



One source of complaint can be easily remedied, 

 viz : the high price charged for carting, and the 

 prices charged for carrying persons from the city 

 to the Fair Grounds and return. The city grants a 

 license to every cart, dray, wagon, &c. It is also 

 an easy matter while regulating these licenses, to 

 also regulate the prices for carrying persons or 

 property. There is ample police force provided to 

 carry out all necessary ragulations of this kind, 

 and if there is any complaint this year, the city au- 

 thorities will be held responsible. 



The accommodation of visitors to board and 

 lodging is a very difficult matter. Our hotels and 

 boarding houses have not room for more than one- 

 tenth the accommodations required. It will there- 

 fore be necessary to provide the next best accom- 

 modations in our reach We suggest the follow- 

 ing plan for the consideration of those who have 

 the matter in charge. Have a committee appoint- 

 ed to visit every family in the city and ascertain 

 how many boarders each family can take during 

 the Fair, and particularly how many lodgers each 

 house can accommodate at fair prices. Then ar- 

 range the houses by numbeas where accommoda- 

 tions are to be had. Then prepare a short circular 

 that will give information to visitors as to what ar- 

 rangements have been made for their accommoda- 

 tion. 



A committee of reception should be in constant 

 attendance at the depot on the arrival of trains 

 and at some designated place on the Fair Grounds. 

 Then persons can be at once informed where to 

 go, and they will know what accommodations to 

 expect. The details of this plan can be easily ar- 

 ranged by an efficient committee ; we only suggest 

 the leading ideas. 



