Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 November 1889 — LETTER FROM CHICAGO. [ARTICLE]

LETTER FROM CHICAGO.

WORK OF THE WORLD'S FAIR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. A Well - Grounded Belief that It Has Already Ahkufoil the Location of the Exposition in the Lake City, and that New York Is Out of the Race. (SPECIAL CHICAGO CORRESPONDENCE.] Each week gives, through actual results accomplished. practical encouragement to the movement of securing for Chicago the World’* Exposition of 18112. More than any previous time, the last few days have brought expressions from Congressmen, East and West, indorsing the claims of the Lake City. Several! New York publications have to tacitly admit! the effect upon the country of Chicago’s publio spirit, in contrasting the enthusiasm exhibited! in her movement with the apathy of Gotham'* wealthy men in the same quest. For instance, the Cosmopolitan Mniiazitis. of New York City, gives evidence of the importance attached! there to the progress made by the Western; metropolis toward the great end desired by publishing a brilliant article from the pen of Senator Farwell. The Illinois Senator, in his pie* for Chicago, enforces his own cogent argument* by undeniable statistics, proving the centrality* of that city by quotations from the pens of New York's leading writers praising the commercial center of the West in terms of highest eulogium. This sketch is beautifully illustrated from photographs taken by the’ scenic artist. A significant expression is that of Hon. Amos J. Cummings, who, it is said, will lead the New York movement in Congress, and who is enthusiastic in commendations of Chicago's magnificence and adaptation to vast undertakings. At the last meeting of the Executive Committee assurances from 162 Congressmen were received favoring Chicago as the site for the Columbian Exposition, and from thirty-cne others who pledged themselves for Chicago aa second choice. With these assurances the committee decided to go ahead and execute plans. In corroboration of the above tho Now York Morning Journal has this to say on the subject: “The Morning Journal has replies from 1-10 members of Congress to whom it put the question, ‘Which city shall have the World’s Fair?’ Of these 40 have declared for Chicago, representing eleven States; 33 for New York, representing nine States ; 8 for St. Louis, representing Missouri and Arkansas ; 13 for Washington, representing eight States; and 45, representing thirty-two States who are non-committal. In the list of those who declare for New York, twenty-three of the total of thirty-three represent the State of New York, two-thirds of the entire number; only eleven of the replies favoring Chicago re present Illinois, or a little more than one-fouith. So far as this canvass show* anything it shows a more wide-spread interest for Chicago than any other city." A large number of civil and mechanical engineers of Chicago, who arc desirous of obtaining th j co-operation of the engineering profession, in their efforts to locate tho fair in Chicago, have organized a committee and issued an address to their profession throughout tho country advancing the many reasons why the exposition should be located in Chicago, it is proposed that during the exposition a great engin lering convention, embracing all branches of engineering, be held, to which will be invited the entire membership of every engineering organization in the world, and Chicago, being located in tho very heart of our country, will give to the visiting members a rare opportunity of seeing our Great Republic and appreciating its magnitude and growth. Excursioi s will be arranged from and to the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards for the benefit of all.

A secret meeting of two important committ3es was held at the World's Fair headquarters and important action taken, which may have more weight* with Congress in deciding for Chicago than anything else so far accomplished. Tire two committees which met in joint session, were the Committee on Permanent Organizaticn and the Committee on Congressional Action. New York determined a few days ago not to effect a permanent organization until after Congress met and decided the location. No other course was open us long as the stock was not taken and in the absence of any immediatelikelihood of its being subscribed for. Chicago virtually has the stock now subscribed, and can call the stockholders together at any menu nt to hold aii election for directors. The conference lasted over two hours, and it was finally decided unanimously to instruct tho Committee on Permanent Organization to perfect its plans. The Finance Committee is now ready to call for the last reports from tho sub-finance committees and appoint a meeting of stockholder* within a week. Twenty-five directors will be elected by the stockholders. This board will atl once proceed to effect a permanent organization, elect officers, and conduct the business ot the company. The only considerable subscription still outstanding is that of the railroads. E. St. John,; Chairman of the Railroad Committee, say* that they are safe to take the million and a half assigned them. Chicago’s bid for tho World's Fair will com® to Congress from a responsible business organ-* ization, one of the most gigantic ever formed,! and will be a business proposition that musu weigh more with the country than the crude,) half-formed, pcorly executed plans of a dozen other jealous cities, which have lacked the enterprise to bring them to fruition. At a meeting of the Finance Committee, a' few days ago, an interesting report was read re-, garding the temperature, climate and death) rate of Chicago as compared with other cities., Lieutenant A. W. Greely, chief signal-service officer, and Louis Manasse, the optician, prepared the former aid Dr. De Wolf the latter.)* They show the mean temperature for New Yorkg Washington, St. Louis and Chicago during the 'summer months for tho past four years. According to these figures the mean temperature for 1886, 'B7, 'BB and 'B9 for the six summer months was: New York, 66 degrees; Washington, 68 degrees; St. Louis, 70 degrees; and Chicago, 62 degrees. The mean temperature during the months beginning with May and ending with October are:

New York—lßß6, 65degrees; 1887, 66 degrees; 1888, 65 degrees. Washington—lßß6,67 degrees; 1887, 09 degrees; 1888, 67 degrees. St. Louis—lßß6, 73 degrees; 1887, 72 degrees: 1888, 68 degrees. Chicago—lßß6, 64 degrees; ,1887, 63 degrees; 1888, 61 degrees. For the year 1880, omitting October, the meant temperature was as follows : I New York, 70 degrees; Washington, 69 de-4 irees: St. Louis, 70 decrees; Chicago, 65 degrees. The mortuary statistics prepared by Dr. Da Wolf show that for the past three years the annual death rate of New York, Chicago, and Bt,l Louis was as follows: , New York. Chicago. St. Louis1886 27.92 19.43 20.6! 1887 27.20 29.21 21.8 1888 26.33 19.00 20.9 In connection with this latter report, Dr. Dei Wolf says: “There has never been a case ofl yellow fever within our limits which originated! here. During the season when this disease has been prevalent in the South, Chicago has always invited, by public proclamation, all citi-l zens of the South to come here as a city of! refuge, and provision has been made for those! not able to care for themselves. In 1879, during the epidemic at Memphis, sixteen of these< refugees died in Chicago of yellow; fever and were buried here. Oun citizens were in no way disturbed, but received! and cared for these strangers with all care and! tenderness. If yellow fever should appear in the South during the exposition year both New; York and St. Louis would be obliged to quaranJ tine against all Southern visitors, while Chicago* would, with perfect safety, open wide her gates.' The number of deaths from sunstroke last yean (1888) in each city was as follows: Chicago, 19 ; St. Louis, 47; New York, 96."

E. D. Gleason,