The Portland daily press., 1885-12-01
the NEW ORLEANS EXPOSITION.
a Circular from the Commissioners
of the Several States.

The Commissioners of the North, Central
and South American Exposition at New Or
leans have united in the following circular,
which has been sent to the Governors of the
United States:
NEW ORLEANS, Nov II, 1885.
To Their Erceltencies the Governors Of the
Several States and Territories Of the Unit
ed States;
The undersigned, representing their re-
spective States and Territories as commits
sioners Of the North, Central and South
American Exposition, having undertaken
their work with the chief idea that the OBJ
iects the exposition seeks to attain If accGm-
plished would lead to great benefit to the
United States especially in the vital matter
of our trade with Central and South Amerl-
ca, beg to report to you that on the 10th inst,
the exposition opened most ausplcIously.
One feature of the initial exercises was the
large attendance and enthusiasm of the peo-
pie of New Orleans and the South, which
shows that there is no lack OF local interest
in the project. Another encouraging fact is
the complete confidence of all persons in the
board of management, which is composed OF
representative business men from all parts
of the country. The addresses of the official
representatives of the States and Territories
of North America and of the Central and
South American countries showed the
national character OF the exposition,
anu gave 6NlucICG VI bH0 SUOQ buC
old exposition and the present one are ac-
complishing toward the extension Of our
commercial relations-a result every State
and Territory is deeply interested in.
In the short time of one year we have tam
gible evidence that the establishment of an
exposition here has opened up new channels
of trade for our respective commonwealth
and infused new life and energy in every di-
rection. The countries south of New Or
leans find this exposition a convenient place
to examine and compare the products OF the
United States. Here the manufacturers can
compare the raw and manufactured material !;
the farmer will find this school of useful
information, the stock grower can gather
Statistics the miner compare the riches OF
various zones, the scientist the wonders of
nature Above all, the opportunity is open
to people of the United States to divert to
the country the vast amount of the commerce
of Mexico, Central and South America, now
largely monopolized by Europe.
The great park has no counterpart in love-
illness. the immense buildings are in splendid
order and are rapidly filling with the collec-
vc-esxhibitS of seven States and Territories,
and the private osshihits of several thousand
firms from all parts of the Union and from
other lands, while beautiful winter garden
and other attractions are here to instruct
and entertain. There is every indication of
most delightful weather for the winter, and
the city is made as attractive as possible by
the people. We are pleased to state that
means of transportation to the grounds,
owing to the new steam railway and paved
streets, are now most adequate, while facili-
ties for entertaining visitors are ample and
charges unusually reasonable.
Owing to no fault of the management but
to unavoidable circumstances, there has been
some delay in the arrival of exhibits, but
early in December we are confident that
everything will be in complete order and
ready for the great throng of people who
should, and we.belieye will, come here. Ev-
cry effort is being made for cheap railroad
rates, and the direct interest of many rail
road companies in the exposition will tend
to this result.
Having thus briefly stated to your Excel
lencies the condition of this enterprise, in
which we have been officially sent to partici-
pate, and feeling confident that the prosperi-
ty of our respective States will be greatly en-
HANGED, we most respectfully ask OF you to
urge upon your people the importance Of
visiting this exposition, and by their pres
ence to testify to their appreciation of this
inter-American commercial enterprise.
j. B. HAM,
Commissioner for Maine.