New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-17
THE SITE OF THE FAIR.

THE SITE or THE FAIR
The time is rapidly approaching when the
people will be demanding some definite in
formation as to where the International EXPOSE
ton of 1888 is to be held. a body known rs
the Committee on Sites " has been holding
sessions III the city for some weeks for the pur-
pose of receiving proposals, and 1t is rumoled
that some report from that body In the nature
of n recomm cndation is imminent But this re-
port must be passed upon by the Executive
Committee, and final decision made by the
Worlds Fair Commission, before the con-
cusion of the matter is reached. If the
gentlemen who have this enterprise in charge
are not yet prepared TO determine which
of the sites offered is absolutely the best,
they should mt least have been able by this
time to settle urOn some fixed principles ana to
recognize certain limitations in accordance with
which the selection is to be made. One of the
committee has declared that he was waiting for
the advocate Of some particular locality To en-
force his argument by liberal subscription.
II NAV as well be understood here and now that
the people will not tolerate any offensive dick
ering OF this SOFT The site must I've selected
solely in the interest OF the Exhibition, ana
not for the benefit of anyone who happens to
keen a hotel or 1Iin steamboat or own rail
road OF hold some zeal estate on speculation
Popular subscriptions will be forthcoming as
soon as the best location has been chosen and
the people are assured that the project Is i'll the
hands of men of recognized integrity, public
spirit and business capacity.
Again, there must be no desccratIOn of the
Park, nor any portion of it. The reasons why
A. ci, bp llpnf pPfnl
proposcd vandalism are So obvious and have
been so frequently enforced in THE tribune
that the, need rot be repeated. Prospect Park
deserves the same protection, aud thoughtful
people will not commend the action of the
Brooklyn officials whose duty il Is to guard
their city's pleasure ground against vulgar III
trusion, for Offering to surrender their trust IN
the hope that its invasion might enhance the
value of certain city lots. Prospect Park, how
ever, is out of the question. 1t IS Singularly IL
accessible by land OF water, and it is on Long
Island The Committee on Sites have given
hospitablc entertainment to proposals from
various outlying regions, but the Far is not to
he helm New-Jersc7, or Coney Island, or Far
Rockaway, or Montauk Point, bat within the
limits of the City OF New York, as the law pre-
scrIbes.
Fortunately, this geographical restriction does
not exclude the most available sites. The |
claims Of various locations, as formally pre-
scented TO the subcommittee are practically be- |
fore the public, and an examination of them will |
show that the strongest array OF argument was |
addnced by the advocates of a site in the |
Twenty third Ward of this city. More than
this. Port Morris is not only good by compari
"a lint n a. IL
an Improvement upon any and all of those where
the great Fairs of the world have been held. 1t
has the inestimable advantage of a front for
nearly a mile upon deep, pure, blue water, as
becomes an Exposition held in the first maritime
city of a continent. This secures the cOnven
lent and economical landing of merchandise,
and offers opportunity without limit for the
to the very buildings by cheap
steam ferriage of visitors from New York,
and all points on the Hudson, as well
IS the New jersey and New England shores.
The grounds are exposed to the uDlmpeded
,weep of the southern breeze and the winds
rom the Sound, while tho tides whc rush by
will add to the GOODNESS, and the swiftly flowing
81 onx Kills will make perfect drainage an easy
d obem-all of which are matters of moment
n a summer Exhibition. Besides its unequaled
facilities for water transportation, Port Morris
) already connected WITH the great RAILROAD
,ystem of the East through the New Haven
Road. with that Of the North and West through
he Hudson River and Harlem Roads, with the
Grand Central Depot and the local traffic If the
.ty, and by an existing ferry with all the
Western and Southern roads which terminate on
he jersey shore. Roads are now under con-
ract which will connect il with every elevated
inc in the city BY laying a single mile Of
rack and some additional connections and
witches. i've OF the horse railroad lines of the
ity can take ears to the very buildings, while
he Great Southern Boulevard Is one boundary
f the grounds furnishing ample roadway for
arriagcs from the city. The grounds 50 easily
ccossible are ample in area, well adopted TO the
purpose of an Exhibition, ana command wide
orizon to the north, east, and south, with AN
gfceablc outlook ON or the broad waters Of the |
ouud TO the distant shores of Long Island.
II NAV as well be said that the apparently
Unless pottering of some of these committees
nd sub committees is not impressing people
With an ogerpo weIing idea OF their ability 10
rganize and administer a work of national
nd international importance. To be broadly
the Exhibition must be popular in
be hest sense. To he popular the managcmen .