The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-11-30
THE oorror oENrENNrAL.

The other day we intimated that
Austin might make propositions to
secure the holding of the worlds
cotton centennial in 1884. Of course
this was a bare remark, for it is
necessary that the place at which il
is to be held contribute five hundred
thousand dollars towards the enter
prise, and be prepared to entertain
at one time tens of thousands of
visitors. The exposition will be
held under the direction of the
National Cotton Planters association
of America, and the occasion will be
the greatest era In the history of
cotton production and trade in this
country. In 1874 eight bales of cot
ton were shipped from the United
States to England, and the
fact then caused a great
stir in political quarters, the cotton
being seized as contrabsnd on the
ground that so great a crop could
not have been produced in all the
land on this side of the Atlantic.
This exhibition in 1884 is, therefore.
to be the centennial of cot
ton production and cotton trade in
this country. The prospectus shows
thai the resolutions looking to the
centennial exposition were adopted
at the Little Rock convention of the
National Cotton Planters associa-
ton. The idea was warmly welcom-
ed, and, even at this early day, a
number of manufacturers have sig
nified their determination to be
among the exhibitors. Although
cotton will be the chief exhibit, it is
proposed to make the scope of the
exposition so wide as to include
everything pertaining to cotton cul-
ture and manufacture, and whatever
improved implements may be ne
cessary for diversified farming in
Guiding, in fact, all inventions, de-
vices and fabrics that may possibly
prove of interest to the people of
the states or promote their general
industries. The whole south will be
organized for the purpose of making
the exposition complete, and it is
expected that all the cotton p-oduc-
ing countries in the world will take
part IN it. The Cotton Planters as
ISOLATION are inclined to believe that
New Orleans in the most eligible
place for the proposed exposition,
but the claims of competing cities
will be carefully and impartially
considered. Among the cities that
will probably be invited to compete
are New Orleans, st. Louis, Balti-
more, Cincinnati, Louisville, Rich
mond, Memphis, Nashville, Charles
ton, Mobile, Savannah, Montgom-
cry, and Atlanta. 1t is proposed to
raise not less than two or three mill
ion dollars, and there are several
cities whose offer of support should
not be less than $500 900, if they ex-
pect to secure the exposition. The
city which is so fortunate as
TO be the site of the exposi-
ton will have the united sup
port of the planting interests, and
it is believed that the exposition
will promote, therefore, the indus
trial progress and prosperity of that
city and, at the same time, bring an
immediate return fully commensu-
rate with the extent OF it's donation
to the construction fund. 1t is out
of the question for such an exposi-
ton as is proposed to find the room
that it needs, and the accommoda-
ton that will be required, in any
small city. Hence it will have to be
held in New Orleans or some other
large city, and since New Or
leans is the most accessible place
to all the cotton country the
choice may fall upon it. Balti-
more and Louisville and Cincinnati
and st. Louis and probably other
cities will compete for the exhibi
ton. st. Louis, probably, would af-
ford in some respects better ready
made facilities than any other city,
but New Orleans ought not to let
such an opportunity pass to secure
one of the best of things Galveston
can elect Tom Ochiltree, and this
shows it ealiber. 1t can not secure
and maintain the cotton exposition.