Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-08-29
Sixth Annual Exposition.

The Sixth Annual Exposition of ST
Louis, Mo-, opens Wednesday, Sep
tember 4th, and closes Saturday. Oc
tober 18th, covering period of forty
days i'm all, exclusive of Sundays
This Exposition. w hich was first opened
September, 1884. has a history that
has no parallel among similar institu'
tions in the country. Its uniform rec.
ord of success, marked by annual
progression in prosperity, has been
simply phenomenal. Other E&Ssosi.
tions have sprung into existence III
various parts of the country; have
seemed to be endowed with all the
elements of success; in some instances
have lost monev the first year-enough
to discourage their projectors from the
| first; IL other cases, one or, perhaps,
two seasons cf success have cheered
them OH, only to lead the more certainly
to disaster; in short, all ofthe attempt
ed annual expositions, with the solitary
exception of that at St. Louis, have
proven more or less financial failures
within short period of their inaugu-
ration. Why should the Exposition
of St. Louis be such a conspicuous ex
ception to the fatal lrule which has gov
erned the career of others?
That this Exposition has been pro-
grcssively successful from year to year,
the following annual receipts will
/! show: In 1884 (first year,, the total
receipts were..$92, ,231.35; in 1885. they
had jumped up to $l06, 1862; in 1886,
this handsome figure was increased to
the enormous sum of $124, 81 .S5, and in
1887, the year of greatest prosperity,
the receipts footed up $126. 6.913.91. In
1883, there was slight falling off from
the high water mark of the previous
year, but this was due entirely to the
political excitement that always per-
vades the country in "Presidential
years" The managers of the Exposi-
ton this year expect to surpass any
thing in their experience, and, judg-
ing from the preparations made and
the immense variety of attractions Of
fered, there appears to be every reason
that their expectations should be full
filled.
But, why is the Exposition at st.
Louis hitherto an exception to the
otherwise universal rule? Why is it
successful while others
fail? The answer IS obvious, and con-
slsts Of two main facts. First, the
of admission, one quarter Of
a dollar admitting to all the attractions,
including four concerts, which enables
every one to enjoy and to thoroughly |
study in half q dozen or a dozen Wis |
lis what, otherwise, and upon less lib
eral terms he would only visit once.
The wise rule, also, that permits no
extra charge for fakirs' side shows, and
rigidly excludes all catch penny de-
vices tends to popularize the institu-
ton. Visitors go there and come
away without that feeling of having
been seduced into extravaganza be-
yond their means or wishes, that too
often follow visits to similar shows
elsewhere.
The second, and not the least impor-
tant of the principal reasons for the
success alluded to, is the enterprise aud
Iiperality which the Directors show in
getting the best and most instructive,
is we'll as amusing, entertainment, for
heir visitors. Let US take, for example,
4 partial lCok at the attractions for this
y ear:
Take the music first Everyone
that the absolutely best mill
tary band in this country, il not in
he world, is that of the 22d Regiment
Of New York, organized and Conduct
ed by the greatest military band lead
er of the age, Patrick Sarsfield Gill
more. This famous musical organiza-
ion consists of slXty-five men, exclu- I
'ive of the leader, and every one of
.hese men is an artist whose rank in
The world of music would entitle him
% lead in any other band but Gilmore's.
Of course, being the best, it is the
b gh-priced. Musicians of the stand
ing of those who follow Col. Gill
more's baton, can and do command the
highest salaries paid in the profession.
But the managers of the st. Louis Ex-
position, being determined to give
their patrons the best, pay Gilmore's
prices rather than take second best,
and then are liberal enough to throw
four of these expensive grand concerts
daily among the other attractions,
charging nothing extra and satisfied
if their enterprise gives satisfaction.
Another great attraction. and per-
haps the most interesting, as well as
most useful to the world, this year,
will be the array of electrical displays.
of eminence have been en-
gagged, and at work for months past, in
and arranging these various
exhibits, and all who are familiar with
the subject declare that this will be
the greatest, the most mprehensive
and most varied exhibition of electrical
inventions and appliances ever seen
in A America. 1t would be impossible,
in the course of a brief article, to enum-
crate all the wonders that will be
shown. Reference to only few must
suffice: Electrical Cooking, think of
it. We housewives! An oven that will
holya bread roast meat or cock CJffee,