Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-19
EXPOSITION SALE.
THE GROUNDS YESTERDAY PLACED
IN THE HANDS OF A REAL
ESTATE AGENT.
Society Owe 100000, and Being Unable
to Raise the Money Must Sacrifice
Their Propprfy.

1.-THE red Gag on the Exposition-grounds
will be q black-eye on Richmond"
This expression was heard yesterday rom
q well-known citizen when ne learned thnt
the Executive Committee of the Virginia
Agricultural and Mechanical Society had
met and placedin the hands of Real-Estate-
Agent Bowe their grounds with authority
20 receive and report bids for such lots and
parcels rs Will in the aggregate realize the
society $4,000, the amount of their IN
debtednesy.
Thus ends great enterprise.
The Common Council was Wiling 70
helm the society in It's extremity, but the
Board &C Aldermen would not. Nothing,
therefore. IL left but to sell the property
and pay the debt.
THE VIEWS OF PRECEDENT sTARKE.
A Dispatch reporter called upon the presi-
dent Of the society yesterday and had the
following interview;
Us there anything. Mr.. President. that
YOU would like us TO publish concerning
the Exposition property"
There is great deal / would like 20
have published il II would arouse tho pee
pie Of Richmond 10 appreciate what the
surrender of that property means salu
Mr.. Starke. But | have called attention
to i in overypossblo, manner and am con- !,
pellcd 10 conclude that those who are IN
position 70 help in the matter are nbso-
iute.y dead TO the importance OF this thing
10 and its bearing upon the city OF Rich
mond."
do You think every resource has been
exhausted from which the money might 90
gotten!"
"You perhaps appreciate that the trouble
in making q loan At the bands OF an indi-
vidual or a banking organization Is the
question OK our ability to meet the interest
Mt given times. We have been before the
City Council and presented the matter IN
every conceivable way. As men who went
into this thing with the purest motives
looking only 20 what We might accomplish
for this city; more than willing TO ave. ner
our time. labor, and money. | feel tlaI
already we have dono ourselves injustice
in asking moro than once OF thcse VINO
have seen ft TO show such little sympathy
in and appreciation of our work. Hence
while il might be possible 20 work out the
problem IN some wav rs Richmond Is more
nearly concerned than any other party;
and she has through her Council declared
her Indifference IN the matter, 1t could
scarcely be expected that the men who
have done so much would 90 isrther-and
still we would willingly do anything IN
reason to save the city from what will be
the effect upon the country in the sale Oh
this property
TGr SALE.
ia it proposed TO sell all Of the proper
ty. and bow soon will the sale be rl2deI -"
u" My iden now is" said Mr.. Starke. th9t
80 much Of the property will have TO be
sold that the remainder will not BIO eqnal
to the necessities Of All exhibition. A plat
oil the grounds has been IN the hands OF
the City Engineer TO have the street lines
extended. and at a meeting OF tho commit
tee to-day il was decided to place the Same
in the hands Of q real estate agent, who
will advertise ut once the property at pri-
vate sale for q few days. end nc will make
his report to the committee at meeting
to be held ten DAYS hence. The map was
given 20 The agent today"
What viii be done with any money over
and above what Is necessary to pay the
debit"
II cannot say. think simple justice
would be to return 10 to those who nave
contributed and labored to keep UP the IN
stitution in the past. This would have 70
be decided by authority from the Leg sla-
ture and the will OF these who have the
mower TO dispose Of il. If there shall be
enough 10 purchase other less valuable
grounds il might be so reinvested, but |
fear the cold water showercd upon the Of
forts OF those who have recently labOred
SO hard will decidedly dampen the ardor OF
auv Others in our midst who might other
wise undertake any such work for this c ~.
[ do not believe there Is another city be-
tween here and New Orleans that would
suffer such u thing to come to pass as Is to
occur here.
REGRET.
"But. l1r. Starkc. do not the citizens
seem to be anxious that the property
shall not be sold?N
- believe" said he. 1.-THE large majority
OF them exceedingly regret K. All Of them
who will give an honest opinion. IN blasod
bv other Influences, will IL time sOtely re-
gIet it. \ list Of some hundreds OF names
was presented bv the Chamber OF Com
merce before the CITY Council, when the
COMMITTEES from the Chamber simply asked
that tao interest on ;hc loan should be
guaranteed by the city. but the Council
paid no attention 10 II seemingly. ] think
the sense of the people is attesled by the
ratience exercised bv the credit re, ali Of
whom are of Cur own citizens. who have
been subjected TO the greatest incOn-
yenionce, yet so anxious 10 save the pro-
pertv that they have endured and endured
until patience would seem to have ceased
being virtue"
rs there anything else You would wish
to say?
Great goodness, no." answered Mr.
Starke. II had no idea that | could DO
persuaded 90 say so much on this subject.
vet may add that my nature - one of
those which knows no such stimulus to. ac-
ton as expressed appreciation of services
rendered This Mr.. Grady said, kept him
going. When / feel that the sympathy
of those about me Is with me, and the
community knows how TO appreciate the
lnbors Of men who put aside private In
terests for the promotion Of public ends by
standing 10y them IN their efforts. l am
ready 10 do Just rs far a. | am capable and
glory IN IL, but it is hard 80 lead q fight
with an army in which are many who know
nothing OF this sort OF thing"
WHAT RICHMOND LosEs.
a am afraid.n continued Mr.. Starke
that am not alone in this feeling. What
q town we could make OF Richmond II
every man in II felt genuine pride IN seeing
her rise up aud her light shine as city OF
magnificent enterprise The men who
constitute the Executive Committee o.
this society. without exception, should and
will be remembered by this city rs having
set an example in giving literally of their
means and labor To promote the good Of
Richmond and ~ time goes on they viii
be more appreciated. Would that as much
might be said OF many others who are rs
able to DO rs any one OF them"
Were any other suggestions made at
the meeting yesterday. Mr.. Starke?"
Yes, 1t was suggested by country
member that we advertise to tho cities of
SIZE State. soliciting offers of inducements
~ a hem looking 70 moving the property
llo5HN lding tho exhi oitions of the society
aHu NJ Witty US shall offer terms most liberal.
~ sucn Z to meet with favor, and will be
~ SENT, at the next meeting. There was
'aAen utk Of calling together meeting or
solne "a tens to talk over the situation"
Submit 1t to the People.
l., g .hrke does not propose it, but in
MI. Stkment OF many thoughtful persons
ti JuHg.ns of Richmond should be allow
1Ie oiti%e on this question.
Gu 10 VOC people say at the polls if they
Let ine that Richmond should advance
are are WHINE S4O.OO0. The May election Will
ai ~ s9cigtS Opportunity. The General As
anold me o9s session. and if any legislation
senlolS Il ~ fan now be had. Doubtless
~ heeIvu II Ybe carried until Nav. and then
!! re ueul can litiOn is voted down the So
~ tre ,l PIrlo 3l a. precisely how to act.
l.