Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-04-19
AMERICAS CENTENNIAL.
A Great Exposition Proposed for 1899,
and Constitutional Celebration to be
Held In 1sss-Interesting Statement of
the Plans and Purposes of the Events,

A Great Exposition Proposed for 1899,
and a Constitutional Celebration to be
Held In 1ss9-Interesting Statement of
the Plans and Purposes of the Events.
WASHINGTON, April IA Joint meeting
OF the two subcommittee of House foreign
affairs committee was held yesterday morn
TO ing further consider the two bills proyid-
ing for constitutional centennial celebra-
ton In 1889, and an exposition of the three
Americas in 1892.
A. ID. Anderson, Secretary of the Board
OF Promotion, explained the plans and
purposes of the constitutional celebration.
On the subject OF the proposed exposition
OF the three Americas, Mr.. Anderson pre-
sented full and elaborate review of the
whole subject
The following extract from his remarks
constitutes one OF his leading and most
forcible arguments in isyor of the bill:
According to a careful statistical estimate
submitted TO the Department of State by
one of our Consuls in Germany, over $780,
1900 are annually spent by Americans in
Europe for purposes of travel, pleasure,
art, education. etc. The recent appropria-
tions by Congress for expositions at Paris,
Australia, Barcelona and other places
abroad, while necessary and commendable
for obvious reasons, will, nevertheless, add
many millions of dollars to the
sum annually taken by tourists to
foieign lands. Our expectation pro-
duct on the contrary, will have
the opposite effect and will attract thou
sands of sits from the old world, and
many millions Of dollars for pleasure,
study of American history and investment.
If by building up the proposed exposition
on the plan proposed, We can make our
National Capital the Paris of America
in beauty and attractions, the Berlin of
America in educational advantages the
Rome OF America" in art, and the Mecca
OF America for tourists, students and
others from the outside world, il is q move
ment which should be sustained by every
patriotic American citizen"
Secretary Anderson referred = the re-
Gently expressed intention of the Govern
ment OF Spain to take the initiative in
celebrating in the most solemn manner
the centenary of the discovery of America
in the year 1892 to invite all the nations
who populate the territories discovered by
Columbus to take part in the celebration,
and 70 take part in any other celebration
which may be undertaken on the Ameri-
can continent to commemorate the great
event. ''ln other words, he said" Spain
has expressed desire TO pay tribute to
to America by celebrating the four hun
dIedth anniversary of its discovery Now
respectfully suUI1ll InAI not only pride,
but self respect, require that the foremost
American nation, the United States re-
spond to the sentiment by taking the
initiative in celebrating this great
historical event in a manner becom-
ing the dignity, greatness and grandeur of
the new world which Columbus discovered
In further support Of the movement he SUBJ
mitted list of the officers and members
composing the National Board of Promo
ton, copies of resolutions by National and
international Conventions and Boards of
Trade. etc. In conclusion, he suggested
that in view of the short time left for prep
arations that part of the State and Tern
torial and three Americas exhibit should
be eacted upon at once, in order that these
American States, Territories and Nations
may have time for legislation and there
fore submitted revised bill covering the
part of the project. providing for the ap-
ppointment of Governmental Board of nine
directors by the President to formulate a
for the permanent exposition of the three
Americas, for the assignment of space and
for an appropriation of S50,OO0 to defray
the necessary expenses of the Board Of Di-
rectors.