St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-05
THE WORLDS FAIR.

Without regard to whether New York
or Chicago shall be favored in the selec-
ton, hequestion of determining the site
of the worlds fair should be disposed of
at once. The urgency for prompt ac-
ton on the part of congress in regard
to this matter lies i'm the fact that the
time is already too short to get up such
an exposition as we ought TO have for
our COLUMBUS centennial. Ii will be
remembered that five years were oeeu-
pied in preparing for the centennial ex-
hibition at Philadelphia. The first act
of congress in providing tor centen-
NAL commission and declaring that the
exhibition should be held under the au-
spices of the government was passed III
March, 1871, and although the eXposi-
ton was not opened until July 4, 1876,
the commissioners barely had time to
get things into shape for the opening.
1t is proposed TO make grander display
at the COLUMBUS centennial than was
done at the Philadelphia exposition, and
if this purpose is to be carried out there
is no time to be lost.
There will be bitter fight between
New York and Chicago, with Washing
ton IN the race as a dark horse. The
more time that is given to the Compel
itors to prepare for the fight, the more
opportunity tn will have TO delay
action. Time should be called on then
within the next ten days. aud congress
should proceed to inauguarate the
movement for the COLUMBUS centen-
NAL by naming the site and outlining
the plan for the exposition before the
holidays. That would leave barely
eighteen months for preparation; and
considering that the plans for the build
lngS have yet to be matured. and that the
buildings should be of the highest
architectural and artistic quality, we
see the necessity for immediate action
on the part of congress.
The GLOBE has consistently advocated
Chicago's claim, and we yet think that
the Garden City is the most eligible
site on the continent for the great expo
sition. But we do urge that no more time
should be consumed in discussing the
eligibility Of rival cities. The main
point now is to get the work under way,
without regard to whether the fair is to
be held in the East or in the West.
Since the Western representation went
to pieces on the speakership contest we
are not so hopeful of ChicagO'S chances.
Having been betrayed in one instance
by our Western representatives, we are
prepared for another act of treaehery.
The Western congressman who sup
ported REED will, in all probability, sell
out to New York when the time comes.
There will be a reckoning for them at
the next election; but in the meantime
the site for the worlds fair will have
been fixed. The New FORK delegation
in congress stood squarely up for REED
in the Speakership contest, with the I'M
Outstanding that he would stand by
New York in its fight for the world
fair. He can be relied on to keep his
part of the bargain; for, indeed, he has
given the evidence of his fidelity to
New YOrk'S interests by the appoint
ment of a centennial committee favor
able to New York's claim.
Chicago is not town to relax its grip.
even in losing fight. Nor would we
advise an abandonment of the contest.
On the contrary, we urge that our Chi
cagO friends stand to their guns, and
if they fall, let it be just outside of the
breastwOrks; and it may be, though by
a miracle, they will win in spite of the
Eastern money power combined with
Western treachery.
But. whatever the result, let it come
quick. When. the fight over, the site is
selected. the fair will be Invested of its
sectional aspects and will assume ma
tional Importance. Then let the wealth
and the energy of the nation be called
into active play to make it the magnif-
cent success it deserves to be.