How Ottawa's Exhibition, as at present organized, got its start is an interesting story.
Mr. Charles Magee, who was the first president, is perhaps about the best qualified to tell how it came about.
At The Journal's request, Mr. Magee recalled the circumstances.
Mr. Magee explained, first of all, how the old provincial exhibition, which was a quadrennial affair, had lapsed and Ottawa had got into the position of being cut out of exhibitions altogether.
"It seemed too bad," he said, "that the city should be without an exhibition. A number of us talked things over informally, and the upshot was a public meeting of citizens, which was held at City Hall. At this meeting the unanimous feeling was that a new and better exhibition - one worthy of Ottawa - should be built out of the old one. The grounds were there, a main building, a small grand stand and some cattle sheds."
A Worthy Hope.
"It was felt that if the city could be got to help, new buildings would be erected, and that in time there might be developed a fair that would be worthy of the nation's Capital.
"To make a long story short, the meeting decided to organize. We decided to apply for incorporation. As we expected in time to make the exhibition much more than a local affair, it was decided to use the name Central Canada Exhibition.
"Results have, I fancy, justified our choice."
Money was Needed.
"One of the first and immediate essentials for the new fair was money. It was felt that at least $10,000 would be required to give us a proper start. It was suggested that public-minded citizens should be asked to assist. As the new association had done the honor of electing me as its first president, I agreed to canvas for funds. Getting the money was not as hard as I anticipated. In fact, it was comparatively easy, and the business men seemed to realize the value a good fair would be to the city. In order to facilitate the subscription, we arranged that they might be paid in two annual installments. It only took a few days to raise the $10,000.
"The organization work was done in the spring. That fall (1888) Ottawa's fair was held with due formalities, in which Lord Stanley, the then Governor General, assisted."
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Great Encouragement.
"The success of the first year encouraged us to greater efforts. The way in which citizens had turned out, it was evident that the fair was to become an annual fixture.
"There isn't much more to tell," Mr. Magee said.
"I was president four years. At the end of the third year I wanted to retire as I felt that I had done my share, but the meeting insisted that I remain."
Mr. McMahon Came.
At this point, Mr. Magee related an interesting incident which serves as a side light on how Mr. Ed McMahon, who was secretary of the C.C.E. for 26 years, came to be connected with it.
Mr. Magee told how it came about that when he wished to retire after the third year of presidency, the directors objected. He told the directors that he had not the time to give to the work but if they would take as secretary Mr. Ed. McMahon, who was then a clerk in his office, and who was already showing signs of the energy and ability which in later years brought him into business prominence, he would continue to act.
The directors agreed and Mr. McMahon took hold of the new work with enthusiasm and soon showed evidence of marked ability.
If the exhibition has become a success it has been due largely to the work of Mr. McMahon, as "manager." Mr. Magee says that though Mr. McMahon did not in the early days hold his title of manager, as he did later on, he was almost from the first virtually manager.
A Little Story.
He tells a little story which those who know Mr. McMahon's strenuous ways will appreciate.
One day, a couple of years later, after a new president had taken the reins, Mr. McMahon went to Mr. Magee with a troubled face.
"Mr. Magee," he said, "I think I'll resign the secretaryship." Mr. McMahon went on to explain that he found it too hard to get the officers down to business. Things were going too slow to suit him.
"Why not run them yourself." Mr. Magee remarked. "Just go ahead and run them and you will not find anyone object. On the contrary, they will be glad to have you relieve them."
Mr. McMahon's face broadened into a sunny smile.
"I'll do it," he said, and he did and all that day mostly everybody sat around and let him run the show, and he ran it with assistance of occasional residents better and better each time, until last year, when the business interests of Bate and McMahon compelled him to retire.
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