Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 November 1889 — WORLD'S EXPOSITION. [ARTICLE]

WORLD'S EXPOSITION.

THE CHICAGO PEOPLE CXTIRUIS IN THEIR LABOBS. Over •7,000,000 Already Subscribed, with •10,000,000 In Sight—The Masses in theEast in Favor of Locating the Fair in the West. [SJPECIAL CHICAGO CORRESPONDENCE.] In their efforts to secure the Exposition of 1892 for Chicago, the committee have been indefatigable in their labors and are leaving no stones unturned to accomplish their aim. The discord in the East has aided them to some extent, and that there is latent opposition to New York City is demonstrated by the action of the Rhode Island business men called together by the Governor of that State for the purpose of voicing their sentiments in the matterAt the first session of the convention the voice was unanimous for New York. At the next session, addressed by the Hon* Thos. B. Bryan, representing Chicago, the yeas and nays were called for and tho vote was so close that the Governor was unable to decide which city the convention favored, and asked for a rising vote, which resulted 26 for New York and 22 for Chicago. \ United States Senator Blair, of New Hampshire, opined when in Chicago a few days ago that Chicago’s chances for securing the World’s Fair were exceedingly bright. The New Hampshire Auxiliary Committee called on the Senator at his hotel, and before he knew it he was at headquarters, 183 Dearborn street. While Secretary Cragin was confidentially outlining the magnitude of the work that was being done C. B. Holmes walked in and, addressing Secretary Cragin, said: “On behalf of the ChicagoCity Railway Company I wish to subscribe for worth of stock,” at the same time handing him a check for $2,000, which was 2 per cent, of his subscription. Senator Blair opened h's eyes but said* nothing, and before he left headquarters he was enthusiastic for Chicago. That the financial part of the concern is all right is shown by the fact that seven million dollars have already been subscribed, with at least three million more in sight. The surest and most reliable source of information as to the work being done ini New York to secure the fair, and the feeling of the people in regard to it, is thepress of that city. It is already officially known not only that little money hasbeen raised there but also that its financial committee has reported that it does not know how to raise any more. TheNew York Post says: “The committee have not clone a strokeof work except passing a resolution which has excited great opposition ta> the fail on the part of a large and influential portion of the public. It has neither site, plan, nor scope. It has not acquired a a foot of ground nor a dozen brick. Its work is nothing more than the expression of a vague hope, desire, or aspiration, which it can recall in five minutes. " The indispensable requirements of an eligible location for a world’s fair are lacking in New York City. These are an ample supply of pure water, as well as ample space, and accommodation and transportation for all exhibits and visitors. Chicago is not deficient in these, essentials, and can readily accommodate 250,000 strangers daily. It is a wellknown fact that New York City’s hotels and street railways are taxed to their fnll capacity daily by the ordinary every-day transit. President Yerkes, of the North Chicago Street Railway Company, has returned from a flying visit to the East, and; whatever doubt he has ever had about Chicago getting the World’s Fair was dispelled by what he saw and heard. “I divided my time,” he said, “between Philadelphia and New York, and if the facts could be known there is no surer thing than that the masses in both places are in favor of Chicago for th& World’s Fair. What was the argument? I found in Philadelphia an almost universal sentiment in favor of the West, the reason being that the people realizethat too little is known of the country at large and believe that locating the fair in Chicago would be an inducement tothousands to visit, the West who never have, and otherwise never would, but die without beginning to know anything of the extent and resources of the land in which they lived. Then again they argue that the East has had two monstei*fairs already—one in old Crystal Palace, in New York, many years ago, and the Centennial in Philadelphia—and, besides, they admit that the East is not prepared to do an exposition of the kind the degree of justice that would be accorded it in the great Mississipi. In fact, I found that the Philadelphians admitted about everything the most enthusiastic Chicagoans claimed as to the advantage of our location,* our facilities to handle large crowds and care for visitors, and when the time comes and Philadelphia does not lend a helping hand, I will be greatly disappointed. ” For the purpose of showing the relative standing of St. Louis and Chicago in the contest the following has been compiled at headquarters, consisting of formal indorsements by conventions, boards of trade, fairs, clubs and city councils in the Southern and Southwestern States: For For Cbicago. St. Louis State Fairs 6 0 Boards of Trade 16 2 Political Conventions 9 0Conventions 3 0. Commercial Clubs... 2 O City Councils 13 G Total 51 2 In regard to Washington, the people of that city say that had they known what' would be the effect of the conclave of the Knights Templars upon its chances for securing the Exposition of 1892 they would never have invited the Knights tot go there. The Knights went there 35,000 : strong, and said that Washington could not accommodate them for even a few days, and laughed at the idea of her taking care of 250,000 or more strangers daily for 6ix months. The excessive heat and, scant supply of water are also insuperable objections to Washington as a site for the World’s Fair.

GILES GRAHAM

The man who believes in nothing is as big a fool as he who believes in everything.