National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-04-23
THE COTTON EXPOSITION.
Description OF the Building I'm Which the
Exposition VIII be Held.

The following description of the arrange
ments made for the New Orleans cotton
exposition was given by Maj. Burke in his
argument before tho house committee on
appropriations yesterday:
The main building of the worlds industrial
and cotton centennial exposition at New
Orleans, now being constructed, Is in many
respects the most remarkable edifce ever
erected in this country. Tho only Larger
structure in the world intended for the dis
play of natural and industrial products,
mechanical appliances, ; &C., is the Crystal
palace at Sydenham, England. Many Of the
principal architects Of the north and south
engaged in the competition for the plan of
this building, and number of elaborate and
excellent designs were presented for the
examination of the exposition manage
ment. After very careful consideration of
all the details Of each design, the
plan prepared by Mr.. G. NJ. Torgerson, of
Meridian, Miss, was selected as pffording the
most complete and economic arrangement for
exhibition purposes. Considerable surprise
was occasioned by this choice. 1t was wholly
unexpected that an architect in little Mis-
sissippi town would gain victory over men
who had furnished designs for some of the
chief buildings on the continent Mr.. Tor
gerson was highly recommended by Mr.. q.
w. Cable, and Is Swede, thoroughly edu-
Gated and experienced in all the branches Of
his profession. A few years ago he located
at Oxford, and has so revolutionized
there are few handsomer cities
anywhere. In his plan for this
great exhibition building Mr. Torgorson has
sought to secure one vast unbroken level for
the display in the most compact and ornate
form. In this respect he has succeeded so
admirably rs to call forth commendatory ex-
pressions from the projectors of all former
ANA IIa hau fha
largest single room, every portion of which
can BIO seen from any point without obstruc-
ton, of which there is any knowledge.
The building 10 1873 feet long by 905 feet
wide, covering thirty-three acres or eleven
acres more than the main building of the
Philadelphia centennial exposition of 1876.
There are 500, 300 square feet of floor space,
including the gallery. The reader may form
q better impression Of the vast dimensions of
the structure by imagining three ordinary
city squares. or blocks, one way and five the
other, covered by n solid roof. And if he
chooses to allow his fancy to carry him still
further he can picture monster
panorama of tho worlds industry, ex-
tending before his vision uninterrupted by
single object. Tho roof, which is being
made in Cincinnati, will cover 100000
square feet The active commercial rivalry
of the different sections is aptly shown by
the distribution Of contracts for the ma
terials. The window sash comes from Mil.
waukee, Wis. The glazing will be done by
nails arc being shipped from Wheeling, w.
Va. Nine million feet of Mississippi lumber
will be consumed. A massive aud magnifi-
cent group in bronze typical of America, to
DO placed over the main entrance, is being
made at Canton, Ohio; also statue of Wash
ington and Columbus and coat-of-arms of all
the states, which will appear in medallion
form, as part of the exterior ornamentation.
Exquisitely modelled 3ornices arc being made
ut New Orleans.
The building will DO sixty feet high with
tower 1l5 feet high, and the architect has
been unusually fortunate in rendering the
exterior exceedingly unique and attractive,
platform will be erected on the tower,
reached by elevators, from which visitors may
have an exceptionally fine view of the city
of New Orleans, the exposition grounds, the
Mississippi river, and the surrounding coun-
try. There will DO one line of gallery ex-
tending around the entire circumference of
the building, to which visitors will be carried
by twenty steam aud hydraulic elevators,
representing all the manufacturers of these
couveyances in this country. The emusic hall,
situated in the center of the building, will be
1854 feet wide and will comfortably
seat 1000 persons. The platform
is being built for 900 musicians.
To light the building with incandescent
lamps will require $4,000 lights and 1900
horse power. 10 light with the arc system
will require 700 lamps and 700 horse power to
operate the dynamo. The total steam re-
qnired for lighting and for machinery hall
will be at least 5000 horse power. In this
estimate is included the power for five arc
lights of $4,000 candle power each, which will
light the grounds. These arc the largest sim
gle lamps ever constructed. The building
will be in complete readiness for the recep.
ton of articles intended for exhibition by the
middle of August
This city WAS visited by lively hailstorm
about o'clock yesterday afternoon. Tho
stones were quite small and fell in large
quantities for about ten minutes. Afterward
Light rain foil ut intervals until dark,