The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-31
A MEMPHIS EXPOSITION.
MR.. T. J. aRAHAM'S EARNEST Eff
FORTS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
Brief Outline Of the Plans Upon Which
Can be Built a Glorious Future of
Prominence and Prosperity for the
Bluff City.

from Mr.. Thomas j. Graham, suggesting a
cotton and trade exposition Tor Memphis
The suggestion was instantly successful in
taking hold OF public attention and regard.
Men of means became enlisted among its
most ardent supporters, though in quiet
way. Mr.. Graham wrote TO Atlanta for
facts and figures covering the successful
career Of the Piedmont exposition, and re-
ceived q reply truly encouraging. The
Exposition company went into the enter
prise with cash capital OF $4,000, raised
$500 by subscription from railroads,
hotels, business men, ETC., and incurred
some 100000 Indebtedness. This was a
total OF sos, 600, and by other methods this
was increased to over 100000. Within
twelve days the Exposition company was
ahead to the tune of $4,000. OF course
this was due to the enterprise, energy and
public spirited policy with which the man.
ayers and public were imbued. The con-
Germ was in fact us well as name cotton
exposition.
Atlanta's experience furnished the bright
side to this commendable efforts in south
em cities. New Orleans, II is generally
known, stands us the adverse. MIR. Ora
ham has written TO that city for statistics
anu OlntT uulit COllutClcu VIII ls NohhuNb
and result, his purpose being TO unite the
two, draw deductions, and extract the best
plans for both. These he will put in shape
submit to the public, and should the
scheme be adopted rs popular undertake
> ing, Mr.. Graham will insist upon retiring
TO the background, being content to serve
quietly in the capacity OF private citizen
10 the best OF his ability TO push the en-
terprise to complete triumph. In an in
teryicw by an APPEAL reporter yesterday,
Mr.. Graham said:
81 undertook the movement TO interest
Memphis in an exposition solely because
was born and raised here, my interests are
all here, and want TO do everything pos
sible to give the city prominence
and prosperity. | have 10 AK 90
grind beyond this, and when once
in shape TO insure success, / am going 10
drop out and you'll hear no more from me,
only as an outside citizen and friend. To
I've successful the proposed exhibition must
DC under the control OF cnterprising and
moncyed men, and also have the good
will and support of the public. This,
there is no shadow OF doubt, II will have.
have laid the plan before half dozen
or more business men, such rs Bethel
Arnold and others, and not one has pom
dered over or rejected IL as visionary. On
the other hand, they Immediately grasp II
rs the measure OF measures TO place Mem
phis among the chief Of American cities
And why nol2 What does Atlanta
amount 10 when brought into comparison
with Memphis, the leading inland cottor
market OF the world2 Yet she jumped
into worldwide prominence on the
shoulders Of a staple pre-eminently the
property Of this city. Why, there isn't M
ordinary garden spot OF cottor
plantation around her, when tn
relative merits Of the two ar
compared But she is 20 be honored 70
the pluck and perseverance exhibited, an,
her example emulatcd. As 10 the failur
OF New Orleans, financially and otherwise
/ hardly think IL was caused by anything
but poor management from its inception
Taking the figures, and other facts a
|. command, there was the most reckless OK
trayagahcc and inattention 10 essential dc
tails. The concern was opened and visit
ors invited long before the buildings AM
exhibits were ready, and disgust scize'
upon the disappointed visitors. AS the.
were ushercd In the front way, workmei
were busy at the other All this had II
effect, and 10y no means good one. i
may be- that an unlucky star had settles
over the undertaking ngcneral principles
but human c,nius and exertion nigh
have driven Il away 10 a certain extent"
"Nhat II your idea of the course nm OK
position in this city should take, and whe
j. il proposed TO throw il open to the pub
lic?"
SIN my communication 10 TnE APrEAr
about three weeks ago, / suggested 1885
but the editor disagreed with me M I
time, suggesting one year earlier. My ide
was 10 guard against the mistakes OF Net
Orleans, give ourselves plenty Of time, an
open up with not one thing left undon,
On thc opening day let the people entc
the buildings aud grounds 70 behold ever
detail and feature completed and In place
undisiurbcd by the sound of hammer ~
or trowcl. Then, when their stay IS tc
minated they viii return homo filed wit
pleasant rccollcctions, and advise all the
friends aud ncighbors 10 attend. AnOth,
thing by 1890, our bridge will DO We
under way. railroads now only In cmbry
will bc IN existence, the city vi
be otherwise materially improves
and can DO seen ut IT, Yer
best. The government will take H. eel
Gus shortly aiicrWard, and the whole pla
strikes me as favorable. As 10 the lcadii
features Of the exposition, would iay,
exhibits Of cotton, trade and induslri
products In the way 81 special atiiuC
ions, yOu understand the Yelled Prophet
- al n. Louis, Give annual displays abo
that time 81 year When that has be-,
done Ut home. put the whole ormnizaii,
OF humanity, bag aud baggage, on steam
and bring them 10 Memphis Oh, they
come. on the right Mind OF an inyilatiD
Another great attraction nc 81 Louis du
ing the reign 81 tho Yelled Prophets
display by the gas companies after Nigh
They unite IN Tie scheme, make come
tons. and at intervals along the lcadiI
thoruughlhrps erect arches, over viii
burners are studded. In addition, hot,
md business houses illuminate the fror
Of buildings with myhads Of lighted 9
burners, and altogether the spectacle
marvellous one ior beauty. There a
hundreds oi attractive features for such
occasion, all Of which can and will be VI
developed, u we only take the time al
money 10 DO IL"
Have YOU any site selected, IN so
mind, for the concOnY'
as ! stated before, am only cndea
oring 10 get Il under way, aud plans "
be maturcd aitcrwarl.by the gcntlcm
In charge. A day ortwo after TITS ArrE
communication aud editorial comment
gentleman from the Chickasaw Ia
company came 10 me with the propOsii
90 donate all the ground necessary on q
company's property. When ! submit
the idea 70 Mr.. George Arnold lac n
gcsicd the Jockey club grounds stati