New-York tribune., 1885-02-06
THE AMERICAN EXHIBITION
WHAT FINANCIAL SUPPORT HAS GENERAL SoHio"0
Projected EyrERPRIsEf

WHAT FINANCIAL SUPPORT HAS GENERAL No"Ao''
PROJECTED EyTERPRIsEI
TO the Edftor of rae Trtbune. 80,
SIR The chief promoter OF the projected eanD. .'
in London, referred to In recent Issue "
tribune is General Charles ID. Norton. h",o
seen copies of his circulars, in which the
made that the capital required has been suosciiDou
and that the enterprise is receiving hear'y "nr
solid support from Americans at homo and abroad
But do not find IN these circulars and pa"pn'o'o
the name of a single American subscriber or OF any
other subscriber This fact excites my suspicious
The pamphlets contain many friendly non-con'-
initial letters from Americans. several GoVernoi'
included and formidable and highly respeot"o'o
list of Engishmen, who have consented 10 'hu 10
use OF their names as Council OK Weicon,o'
whatever that may be. But nowhere is tbere H''
of officers of the corporation or association 'h"'
to furnish the needed capital l suspect tha' .ho
projectors intend to conduct the exhibition WV"
the money exhibitors Will be required to pay ioi
spnce the proceeds Of all sorts OF concessions ioi
selling food cigars liquor seats at concerts haiso
sums however, would be required to lstart tho on-
terprise ;.and cannot make out from the cucu'"i'
who will contribute the capital. On TINS acoou.'
think The TRIBUNE has acted prema'uic'S "
recommending Congressional action respecting lho
transfer Of tho Government exhibits from New
Orleans TO LONDON. 4NoiNOh
would be useless for him to ask for
an appropriation from the uhitea 0'i,o''
but he is probably well aware that
vote sanctioning the removal of the Ncw-Orlcans
exhibits to London would be a fine Endorsement
for him.
There has grown up sort of common law oil OK
hibltions Nations take no governmental part IN
exhibitions not organized by other Governments
and not even then until they are formally invited.
They then appoint commissioners to whom the ek-
hibiting nation refers all citizens of the nation
represcntcd by them. Great Britain has lnV!'eu
the United States to the Inventors Exhibition
opening next May and Belgium TO tho Navigation
Exhibition at Antwerp next year. a Dill mas
passed the United states Senate nuthoriL-
ing the President to appoint com
missioner to each. ! do not think
that the United States Government can send WIN
propriety a Government exhibit to General Nor
toms American Exhibition on foreign soil. with
out previous consultation with the British Govern
ment II is purely private enterprise. aud no.
body knows how much financial support IL has be-
hind it. am very much afraid of the scheme. e.
pecialiy as General Norton has made unsncccs'ful
attempts 10 organize similar exhibitions IN New
York and Boston.
do not think IL is quite far to say that tho
American departments IN previous Worlds fairs
abroad have been discreditabo. In the London
Exhibition Of 1851 the comparatively imperfect
and crude United States exhibit was declared to b"
second IN interest either OF the foreign EXHIBITS or
of tie fair as q whole. The great number OF prizes
taken by American exhibitors at Paris in 1857 aud
1879 and at Vienna IN s7i speak for Themselves.
In each case our triumphs were brilliant in many
rcspccts-,oo brilliant TO be compromised by tho
projected American exhibition in London, con-
Quoted. fear in such way as to end IN hasco.
Ne,r- York, Jan. 90, 1855. ON-LooKEh