Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-23
EXHIBIT THIS FALL.
A SUGGESTION THAT THE MEcHANIcs'
INSTITUTE UNDERTAKE TO
MAZE ORE.
Interviews on the Subject with Secretary
Ellett and Captain b. C.
Innes

Some days sgo Captain Thomas Elicit,
secretary Of the Virginia Mechanics Insil-
tute, suggested m the course OF a convcrsa-
ton that Il would bo 8 good thing IL the
institute would get up a mechanical exhbi-
ton. or rather exposition, on small scale
during the coming fall.
InE GERM.
The iJea-iti IL only an rdca 50 yei--scenaed
% IL sufficiently excellent to Justify Captain
lletrs bcing subjected 10 the torture OF an
interview On the subject
81 think" said ne, "that no better opper-
tunHy could possibly be presented 10 the In
stiiute for carrying out such scheme. An
exhibition Of machinery such as has been
suggested would bo exceedingly interesting
and IN strict accord with the objects and
purposes Of the institute.
1pB PeOrITIOrS sRAsoN.
"Why do you think that next fail will be
20 peculiarly auspieious for your proposed
undertaking 80
" Because there il every probability that
ihcrc Will nc 10 state Fair hid this yosr.
The Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical
Society viii have - be entirely Yeorgsnizcd,
81, iha terms oi tho present officers will cx-
rrclu April. Mr.. >tatkc has already an
nounccd that be wl rot be- candidate for
reelection o. president. and even should he
he KEEP: in The position he hss 80 ably hllcd
ho VIII not acain undertake 20 rcpcat the
Exposition Of last wear. All that can be
hoped for will bf 4 state Fair at which ex-
hibus ~ Tine various counties VIII be
ue main feature, and IT will be too
late in April after The election Of officers 10
pucce ssfuliy execute any such plan a. mat.
in consequence the prouoscd exhibition 0i
tho Mechanics Institute will have no oppO-
rtion and viii afo-d at once a most inie-
resting and instructive display"
IT'S GOOD.
~what will bo the special benefits Of such
-. exhibition t'
n VIII be beneficial m many ways. In
the first place. IS have stated, It will pro-
VIDE fof the people OF Richmond, and visitors
- The ci.y as weu. delightful source Il
recreation. amusement. and instruction com
hincd. - wN advertise the institute, and
lct The public see that it IS live, potential
factor Jn advancing mechanical and practi-
cal technical education among her young
men, whose uecessit@es prevent them from
prosecuting their studies during the day,
aud y Will enable the latest patents and in
vent.ons in machinery 10 be shown 10 our
farmers. fountfymen, md others, 10 tJo
mutual advantage 81 all.
WHAT NOw?
"Do you propose to carry out your idea
pTactic4iyf'
NO doubt Captsin Ainslie. our presl-
dent, aud al other friends az the institute
will take a lively interest in the scheme as
soon ~ it is BROUGHT prominently 10 their
alent,On, aud VIII do an they can 10 promote
81 success. We can rent a room, such a.
the post-ollcc now occup'cs, for Instance,
end get UP a creaitsbls cNhi1if ai very light
cost. II could be kept open day and night
for weeks, and al the moderate cost OF ad-
mission 81 tWeDiy-6ye cents would be un-
doubtedly profitable
DIR. HENRY e. JONES.
This gcnuemaa, who ia chairman Of tie
Committee Of Amuscmcnts oi The institute,
sud VINO, ~ ia well known. Vas director
general Of The recent Exposition, was next
called on and ashed his views on this snD>
ieot.
81 think a is au excellent idea, - said he
al DO not know wbet.cr or not an eOort
will De made 10 get nap state fsir t1is iill,
bu, whether 70 s or not Il should not mate-
rally interfere with the success OF This pro-.
posed exhibition. | think. too, 10 would
undoubtedly pay. at least fora short time.
The A-mory MIGHT be secured, and most
Interesting mechanical display could be
gotten up which would prove unusually a.
tTRciiye.'
A PERSONAL QUESTION.
'would you consent to direct the al
fairs"
That am airlid would De Impossible,
o. 1 am kept 80 constantly ous7 thii / could
not yery well afford 10 give the time ntccs-
sary 10 properly carry ont ail the details OF
The exhibition. am strongly iu favor Of
the proposed scheme. however, and would
dossli could % have iiU0perly carried out
I think too. that next tu vtil he q most op-
perfume time for ID, as iu all probability no
snecial ciIors viii he made 'or a state Fair,
and the Mechanics Institute display viii
have far field for usefulness aud pleasure
coAhined.'
TIE MOVEMENT.
The movement Tor toe exhibit Is yet in its
inceptioD. But with tac hearty cooperation
81 ali friends oi tue institute II can, 10
doubt. be successfully carried through.
Apart from it- benefits TO the institution H.
seH, it would ia ail probability. attract
numerous visitors 70 tn city, and ~ in-
veptors, petpntces. and ali large machlucry-
manufacturers iu thc country would take
advantage q II B. show on their latest novel
ties IN the machinery hne, 10 would prove a
practical, financial, and mcchanictl success.