New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-05
THAT WESTERN WORLDS FAIR CON
VENTION

VEN1ION.
The Worlds Fair Convention which was
called for the purpose of consolidating ant
otherwise strengthening whatever sentiment
may exist in the country in favor OF holding TN
| Worlds Fair at some point west OF the Ale
ghanes met on Thursday at St. Joseph, Mo
| Delegates were present from Illinois, Iowa
Missouri, Kansas Nebraska and Texas. II
! had been intimated that the Interior purpose
| of the leaders in the movement was to capture
the convention for ST. Louis, and an unsuccesS-
! full attempt to adjourn the meeting to that am
| bilious town certainly pointed that way. How
| ever barring this slight indScretion, the pro-
ceedngS were harmonious, and resolutions OF
decorous character were unanimously adopt
! ed OF these the most important, and, III
| fact the only one of practical importance is all
appeal to the members Of Congress represent
! ing States from which delegates were pres
ent to insist upon an inland site.
| An incaculable number of jests have been
| aimed at the pretensions of Western cities by
! newspapers and individuals who assume that
| because New ork is the proper place for the
Fair there is no danger that any other COM
munity will secure il. The mirth has been
a little Tiresome, and, moreover, it is just as
well to remember that the question has not
vet been decided. Whether Congress appro-
pirate dollar of public money or not the OH
cial recognition of Congress will have 10 be
obtained since invitations to foreign countries
must be sent in the name of the United States.
If Newly ork backs up her application with
we'll matured plan of operations on an ade-
quate financial basis there need be little fear
that Congress will fail TO recognize her claims
But though the prospects are now brighter than
they have been hitherto. and a fair degree OF
activity has succeeded to the depression OF past
weeks, it is still quite worth while to take into
account the strenuous efforts which are being
made elsewhere-such for instance, as this
recent convention of good men at st. Joseph
illustrates.
If the choice of a site for the Fair were to
be determined exclusively by the weight of
argument presented in behalf of West
eru cities and not at all by the
persistence and ingenuity of Senators,
Representatives and the lobby, there certainly
would be no necessity for discussing the ST.
Joseph resolutions. We observe with grief
that this platform was drawn up by the editor
of our esteemed contemporary, q" The It. Louis
Republic" for it is extremely fragile. The
preamble. which is, Of course, supposed to
embody the argument and prepare the way
for vigorous declaration of rights, contains
five clauses. each emphasized by a whereas"
OF these, the first is an unobiectionable an
nouncement of the faG9 that Worlds Fair
is in contemplation. The second is a reminder
that every international exhibition in the
United States has been held on the seabOard
and G,scoseS merely jealous state OF mind
The third, which declares that the W est is the
great producing centre Of the county the centre
Of its population. wealth and political power
though somewhat imaginative, on the whole
does credit TO the hearts OF the delegates who
adopted il. The fourth flies right in the face
of the Ninth Commandment with the assertion
that there are cities in the West which possess
transportation and other facilities superior to
those of any Eastern city. The fifth and
last. which is doubtless meant to be the most
convincing. is in reality the least substantial
of all. This is it, THE greatest exhibit that
can be made to visitors from other nations is
the country itself, which cannot be seen by
visiting one city on either margin OF the con-
tinent." We quote tins argument In full, Tor
it is the one on which the Western opponents
of Newly DIRK are now laying much stress. But
why should foreign visitors TO the Worlds
Fair in 1892 be compelled to travel far in
land. whether such journey would or would
not suit their convenience and disposition
A vast majority Of them will land in New
York, and those whose bOSomS yearn TO eX-
0lore the continent will not be deferred from
so doing wherever the Fair may be. Let us
Hospitality leave them TO do as they please
when they have arrived, rather than disSuade
multitude from coming at all by interposing
unnecessary obstacles.