Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-11
An unwillingness on the part Of Congress I

An unwiIlingness on the part Of Congress 10
authorize ut the nations expense a national
celebration IN 1892 at the national capital
ought to be definitely ascertained before any
offer Of bonds in large or small amount il
made BY the District to meet the cost Of such q
celebration. The direct offer Of such guaran-
tee, not as device to meet an improbable con-
tingency, but as part of the Districts original
offer, will tend to give Q misleading i'm
preston Of the position of this community
IN the matter. The irresistible weight Of ar
gument ID in favor Of . national celebration
very largely at national expense, if any exposi-
ton II 10 be held at all, and in favor Of the ma
tional capital as the site, i. any selection is to
be made. Any contribution which the chosen
site may make should be determined in amount
By Q consideration Of the wealth Of the COM
munity and the local benefits, greater to q COM
mercial city than to any other, to be derived
from the affair; and 1t should, Of course, be
subordinated to the contribution Of the nation,
which 10 to control and be responsible for the
success Of the celebration. The govern
ment has spent thousands of dollars
70 give the nation representation at European
worlds fairs; it can with equal propriety and
greater economy spend q larger sum to sustain
such fair within its limits and bring the CASH
distributing tide Of travel for the season to its
own shores. Wherever the fair is held the gov
eminent will be financial contributor. Its ex-
penditure at Washington, though it may be
greater In the capacity Of patron, will be
smaller In that Of exhibitor, since costly
structures already display the government
exhibits here, and since the additional build
be retained after the exposition for
government use, instead Of being sold at a
great sacrifice as in the case of other EXPOSE
tons. II the fair is made national celebra-
ton and held at a place whose selection will
quiet sectional and trade jealousies and cause
all the states and cities to work barmoniously
for its success, a surplus like those of the first
English and two of the French expositions may
be expected. If through any mishap there
should be deficit the nation will receive vast
indirect benefits which will justify a national
expenditure to meet it. An appropriation to
pay this possible deficit may be viewed as
an appropriation under State department ex-
penses to bind more closely the diplomatic re-
lations Of North, South and Central America.
providing the natural sequence of the ALL
Americas congress at Washington, or as a sub
sidy for the development of commerce with
our neighbors to the south, or as an appropria-
ton for educational purposes, beneficial to
every visitor to the capital, and enlarging the
national into international museum. WASH
ington possesses all the requisites of an expo
sition site. Its attractions and advantages are
obvious to the members of Congress to whom
arguments on this subject are now addressed.
Not the least important of its adyantapes IL
found in the fact that it furnishes common
national ground upon which the sections and
clashing trade interests of the republic may
meet without jealousy in friendly rivalry on
equal terms. 1t is as such a compromise can
didate that the capital expects in the end to be
selected by reclamation, without the slightest
thought on the part of Congress of mortgaging
the property of the present tax payers and of
their posterity to meet the expense of the ma
lions celebration.