The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-06-30
OUR COUNTRY IN MINIATURE.
A Utah Editors Idea for a Feature of
the Col umbus Exposition.

"
A Utah Editors Idea for Feature of
the Col umbus Exposition.
From the Chicago mter-Ocean.
sour country in miniature, or an earth
map Of the United States, is the novel pro-
position submitted Saturday at the worlds
fair headquarters by a prominent Utah
editor, Frank J. Cannon of the Ogden
Standard. To accommodate it a royal site
indeed will be required-a matter of some
$50 acres-and the idea has already found
favor with some of the wisest heads that no
better location exists than Garfield Park, or
a contiguous portion of the West Side.
at has been conceded for some time.n
replied the Utah editor to our reporter,
''that Chicago will present some special at
traction for visitors to the exposition of
1898, and innumerable suggestions have been
made for towers to outrival that of Mr..
EiffeL But thought that an attraction
worthy of Americas originality and
worthy of Chicago's unique endeavors in
this exposition should be provided, and one
that should be distinctively American and
peculiarly appropriate to the occasion
which the exposition is to celebrate. con-
ceived the idea of laying out the United
States upon a ground to cover an area of
$50 acres, which would allow one square
yard for every square mile of
the domain Of our country. Upon
this earth map, if the project shall be car
ried out, will be represented in miniature.
Every physical feature of the United
States, all the lakes and rivers, all the
waterfalls, all the mountain chains, all the
tremendous gorges of the Colorado and
other rivers, all the forests, the everglades,
and the prairies, the Mammoth Cave, and
the Natural Bridge would be faithfully re-
produced.
"All the land would be of earth, and the
water courses would show real water, the
object being to make the presentation ab-
solutely faithful The lakes would bear
upon their bosom sail and steamboats,, and
the rivers would show models of their beau
tiful craft. All the artificial features,
every city and every village aud farm
house in the United States might be shown,
with much fidelity to the truth, as a people
in various localities might desire. All the
vast underground workings with which
men have permeated various sections of
our country in search of hidden wealth
might be portrayed. Gold and silver
mines, enough exaggerated-since they
would be under ground-to permit Of ac-
cess, might be placed beneath the surface
and visited by the thousands interested in
such subjects"
'Of what would you build the cities?"
"Use sll wood and glass; plaster over a
hollow space to which would be carried
electric wires, so that each city throughout
the country might be Illuminated at night,
making the evening spectacle even superior
in some respects to that in the day"
"Wnat about the RAILROADS.&C.
"Au the railroads would be presented
faithfully, showing the network of arteries
through WHICH flows our country's COM
merce.n
"How would different portions be
reachedw
Upon the large state lines would be To-
Gated carriage drives extending up in every
direction. The large county lines would be
worn by foot paths, while a magnificent
boulevard would extend from ocean to
ocean, following state lines as nearly cen
trail as possible. Every state, every county,
and every city should have the opportunity
to furnish beautiful model of any build
ing in which it takes PRIDE exaggerated in
size where the contingencies would permit.
Points of observation, either from build
ings or towers, or natural elevations would
In many cases it would be neces-
ssary to use prepared earth or some
other plastic material of an enduring
character to contain streams and keep hem
in their proper courses As in nature, of
course, not one would fall over a precipice
of rock. The filmy veil of the Yosemite
would of necessity have for a back
ground wall of stone Magnificent lakes
on the border line would have to be con-
fined by well constructed banks, and the
Mississippi must be protected by more solid
levees than exist in nature TO prevent the
deluge of Louisiana parishes"
Would you have the trees au naturelY
mot of any large variety. Ornamental
grasses, flowers and dwarf shruts would
represent the vegetation Of the country,
keeping always in view the purpose OF Civ
ing a magnificent scope of territory for the
eyes to rest upon.
awe had even thought Of representing
in this way the entire western hemishere
Bat there are certain difficulties in obtain
ing a correct portrayI of other countries
than our own, which would be almost in
surmountable in the allotted time.
Miniature people would crowd the walks
of cities, and miniature horses, drays, fire
engines, and carriages fill the streets.
Your famous horse and cable cars would be
shown, not exactly in rapid transit, but
patiently waiting for the lady to bid her
friend good-by on the corner. Tiny cattle
and farming machinery would dot the
meadows. Game and wild animals would
| inhabit the plains and forests All the skill
| of the toy makers art might De here en-
pIoyed for the pleasure of the children, and
children Of larger growth.
"Would the cost be within reasonable
reachq'
aYes.. II the required area could be Sc
cured in some public reservation, in recog-
milton of the public value of the map, then
the other expenses might be easily met The
wonderful spirit of progress seems to reign
supreme in every section OF the United
states to-day, and no doubt each locality
would be glad to supply the data and other
requisites for a complete and perfect pre-
sentation Of all it's features, its attractions,
and resources. Indeed, think that the,