Omaha daily bee., 1889-07-16
WHERE SHALL 1T BBt

II having been pretty we'll settled
that the country is to have an interna-
tional exposition in 1892 to celebrate
the quadri-centennial OF the discovery
OF America, the important question is,
where shall it be held? Public sonti-
ment, so far us it has been heard from,
is divided between New York and
Washington. In the former city the
question Of locating the exposition Is
being discussed with great rnestness,
the newspapers being, of course, unit
in the opinion that IL would be the
worst possible folly to hold the ex-
position in Washington, and that no
where except in Now York could there
be any assurance OF its being a success.
The merchants and tradespeople come
to the assistance OF the editors, and by
dint OF much intellectual effort from
variety Of sources there has been piled
up mountain of argument in support
OF the claims Of New York. The ad-
vocates OF Washington simply insist
that as the political capital of the
country, it is the proper place for an
exposition commemorative OF the dis
covery of America.
1t is not to be denied that from
a practical standpoint the argu-
are forceful. 1t Is the commercial
metropolis OF the new world, with
population of its own ana at its doors
large enough to almost insure the
financial success Of an exposition; 1T is
more accessible than Washington,
particularly to people from abroad who
would be attracted by the exposition; it
has ample accommodations for million
of visitors, and it has many attractions
OF its own not possessed to an equal ex-
tent by any other city. 1t is very likely
true that the manufacturers generally
Of the country, and all others who
would make exhibits in the expos tion,
would rather send their products to New
York than to Washington. 1t is en-
tirely reasonable to suppose, also, that
the financial results would be very much
larger in the former than in the latter
city. A lack of adequate accommoda-
tions Mt the national capital would
doubtless deter great many people
from going there. All the practical
considerations are unquestionably in
favor of New York, and there would
perhaps be no considerable opposition
to having the exposition held in that
city but for the very general feeling
that it is the greatest and least
liberal community in the coun-
try. 1t is ever on the alert for any
thing it can turn to its advantage, but
it is proverbially slow in contributing
to anything in which there is not a
promise Of immediate and liberal profit.
The people of the entire country un-
dOubtedly have a pride in the great
metropolitan its mighty financial and
commercial power, the vast influence it
exerts in the world of business, the
splendid achievements of civilization it
represents, and the position it holds as
the exponent OF American enterprise
and progress. For all this the Ameri-
can people are proud of New York, but
they are not we'll disposed to encourage
the Wall street spirit of speculation and
gain which seems to extend to every
thing with which the metropolis con-
Germs itself.
The next congress will be asked to
appropriate five million dollars for the
proposed exposition, leaving the rest
of the necessary money to be supplied
| by the other American. nations. With
the appropriation the question of loca-
| tion will be decided, and meanwhile the
discussion of the matter is likely to
grow in interest. Chicago mas al
ready modestly suggested her claim
| to be considered, and in the not
| improbable event of the contest be-
tween New York and Washington wax
! ing hot, Chicago may receive consid-
| GRAFTON. Nor is she without very strong
and substantial claims. AS the young
est of the great metropolitan cities she
| typifies more fully and ftly even than
| New York the vigorous and rapid
| march of American progress, and she
represents more truly the best spirit,
character and aspirations Of the Amer
ican people. Chicago could provide
| abundantly for all who would visit the
| exposition, and she has attractions far
exceeding those OF the eastern metropo-
lis. Possibly an exposition at Chicago
would attract fewer foreigners than If
held in New York, but the loss in this
respect would be largely overbalanced
by the vastly greater number of western
people who would go to Chicago in pref
erence to New York. There can be no
reasonable question that the exposition
would be a great financial success if
held at Chicago. In case the contest
between the advocates of New York and
Washington should embarrass or en-.
danger the proposed enterprise we have
no doubt the whole country would
gladly accept Chicago as a compromise.
| |
TIE POLITICIANS At WORK.
i Gchani hu am hi tioiis roliti icis M In