, 1875-08-07
Centennial Exhibition, July, 1915.

States was a most lamentable fail
ure, owing to a want Of organiza-
ton and executive oversight
among the various commissioners
from the States and Territories.
Hon. Charles Francis Adams jr.,
one of the Commissioners from
Massachusetts, to the Vienna eI-
position, in an able repoI- to the
Legislature Of that State, says;
"a nation or community in enter
ing upon the competition of a
worlds fair, must have one or both
of two objects in view. 1t must go
there to exhibit or it must go
there to observe. And after the
experience we now have Of such
undertakings, there is no possible
excuse for any people in going so
unprepared, or unrepresented, as
to either fail in accomplishing the
object it has in view, or to humili-
ate itself and its citizens in the
eyes Of those with whom it pro-
poses to compete"
The entire arrangement Of the
American organization at Vienna,
both state and national, was an ut
ter, entire and disgraoeful failure,
and it is well to remember at the
forthcoming Centennial at Phila-
delphis, that. it is better, much
better, not to appear at all, than
unworthily to exhibit a state or
territorial industry or resources at
= eEorld's fair. a worthy appear
snee cannot be improyised; it
implies labor, provision and expe-
rience. Money even is less nee
essary than organization; unless.
this lastis provided, both the Ter
ritory and its citizens had best
stay at home. 3'a H-i7 I f
sphe desired result can be Sc
cured in a very simple way. A
timely organization must be effect
ed The simplest organization is
the best, and to be efficient should
be inexpensive. u err
Those commissioners who are to
represent Washington Territory
hare already been designated.
Their duties, however, should be
merely advisory; they should act
simply as a board Of unpaid trus-
tees, performing no executive du-
ties themselves, but supervisory,
counseling or authorizing the steps
taken by him upon whom the re-
sponsibility must finally rest
They are to lend weight and char
acter and authority 10 the ocea-
zions their names should inspire
that faith and confidence in the
undertaking without which sue
tess is not possible. To carry out
the work Of detail, upon which
everything depends, q single sec
uetary to the commissioners should
be appointed, who should be the
executive officer in charge. He
should receive an adequate salary,
md devote bis whole time TO the
success Of the Washington Terri
tory Department. = eliaao
No ordinary or inexperienced
man could fulfill the duties Of the
position, for it isA great error to
suppose that it is one either Of
holiday work or newspaper re
nown. Nli'
To procure such person may
not be easy, but unless be is pro-
cured, and that without delay, the
people of this Territory may rest
assured that, as respects confusion,
waste of money, and poverty of
result, the experience of Wash
ington Territory at Philadelphia
will be but repetition on a small
scale of that Of the United States
at Vienna. The idea that such an
undertaking as a correct exhibit
Of our products, our industries,
and our resources, can be brought
to a successful result, either
through the action Of any commit
tee, or BY means Of melhauous
oratory, enthusiastic rallies and
patriotic appeals is wholly decep-
tive. II absolutely requires per
feet concentration, silent work and
exclusive devotion.
Our Legislature has made no
appropriation for this purpose,
neither have the commissioners
iad any organization. Il is time