Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-22
HAULD0WN THEFLAG
DON'T PERMIT THE EXPOSITION
GROUNDS TO BE SOLD.
A General Outcry Against II, and De-
mand that the Society BE Aided
in It's Extremity.


without doubt the people are stirred
on the subject Of the sale Of the Exposition
Grounds.
II pains them to see the advertisement
which is now daily appearing in the news
papers. They want it withdrawn; but Of
course that will not be done until the S4O,-
COO needed is provided. There has been
enough of delay; plenty of trifiing. The
moment is at hand for a vigorous move
ment. Whether it should originate with
the society. the City Council, the Chamber
Of Commerce, or the people at large Is not
clear: nor is it plain whether the better
course will be 10 attempt to raise the funds
by individual effort or by new appeal TO
the Board Of Aldermen. 80,
The expressions of business men publish
cd in Yesterdays issue were emphatic
enough 10 show what ia the judgment OF
the thoughtful and practical people OF the
community; and here ore more OF the same
sort, piling argument upon argument 70
demonstrate that for psltry $4,000 Rich
mond cannot afford 10 allow her reputa-
ton for enterprise and public spirit to be
blasted.
THE CITY OUGHT TO HOLD 1T.
Mr.. p A. sublett:
/ am clearly Of the opinion that the city
Of Richmond ought TO hold the control OF
the Exposltion-Grounds.
IT WOULD BE A SHAME.
Mr. Oscar II. Berry:
think it would be q shame to sell the
Exposition Park The city should loan the
$40 900 on the same without delay.
We OUGHT TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER EXPOSITION.
Mr. s. Il. Adkins:
would rather see another Exposition
than to hear of the grounds being divided
up and sold. IL seems 10 me that the d.
rectors and exhibitors ought 70 know
enough to make the next one pay.the debt.
BIENNIAL ExPosrTIoSs.
Mr. J. Cans:
The Far-Grounds should not be sold.
Let the city advance the money the society
asks for and let the businessmen see that
we have m Exposition every other year
and the income would soon get the society
out of debt
BUY 1T AS A WHOLE.
Mr.. c. W. Antrim:
II would be a great loss to tho city and
people of Richmond 10 allow tho Exposi-
iion-Grounds to be divided up and sold.
| would suggest that the people urge tho
City Council to buy the grounds as a
,rh0lp 1t would be a good Investment for the
taxpayers.
MUCH MORE CAN DE DONE.
Colonel A. l.. Phillips:
think IL will he q shame upon the city
10 allow tho xposition-GrOundst to be sold
after all that has been done for the benefit
of the city, and much more can be done.
The matter should be attended 10 at once.
as men TO whom the money IS due should
he paid. This debt was made for the bene-
fit of the public.
STEP BACKWARDS.
Mr. s. T. Hancock:
Tho CITY should ray the debt Mt once,
and if il does not those who were 30 much
benefited by the Exposition should do so
without murmer. AIN q citizen OF Man.
chester, but would dislike 20 see Rich
mond take n step backwards. If i IS to be
sold give Manchester a chance. She would
keep il up. but not on the north side of
the James.
IT WILL RE A PooR EXHIBIT or ENTERPRISE.
Mr.. I. Wiley Davis:
If understand the situation rs 10 tho
Exposition property, were | member OF
either branch of the city government |
should vote for the city to make the loan
| as proposed.
III the property is sold as advertised it
will be poor EXHIBIT of the public spir
and enterprise OF its city Legislators as well
as It's capitalists. hope the property may
be withdrawn from sale at once.
REFLECTION ON TIE CITY.
Mr.. Thomas Potts
II Is q reflection on our city to offer for
sale the ExpositioD-GrOunds, and should
regret very much to see II sold for debt.
This is q debt due-an honest debt--and II
! -. l,a nd on1 ~ no nt har Ilan pQn
be devised, then let our pet go; jet'er rag
o,,r dcIts than hold property. 1t would be
wiser TO sell the property as whole than
to cut it up and sell in pieces-because
then the grounds will be so curtailcd that
its usefulness for display of the products
Of the State will, in a measure. be de-
stroved. I5Re property is ,norh SfO, 600 ocoI
and ADORE ne present claims Of ne city, then
/ am clearly Of opinion that it would be wise
and prudent for the city of Richmond to
| advance the sum required and take good
! legal deed upon the property. 1t Will be
| paving investment to tho city, and when
/ ExpOsitiOns are not wanted the ground
/ and buildings can be sold. As life men,
/ Der | should regret very much 10 sec this
society wiped out. but would rather lose
my membership than that honest claims
should be kept unpaid.
A SALE WOULD De AN ENORMOUS BLUNDEB.
General Joseph X. Anderson:
think the Council will make an enor-
nous blunder if they fail to secure to the
city permanent possession of the whole
I of the Fair-Grounds with all the
improvements on them. These i'm.
proyements have mainly been erected
by tho $4,000 paid in cash by
a number of our own citizens. who. as
understand, are willing for their money 10
remain for the good of the whole city pro-
vided the Council will pay i'll price S40.0 900,
/ making the city equal in amount to the in
| dividual contributors. 1t would be too
/ narrow TO allow these grand exposition
| buildings TO 90 out Of the possession of the
/ city on which we rely, in future, to make
possible successful competition with our
| energetic sister cities in the exhibition of
our agricultural, mineral, and manufactu-
ring capabilities. Surely the unselfshness
| OF these citizens is manifest in their will
! ingness for their $4,000 TO be used for the
| public eood-to prevent the destruction
! Of all the improvements IN the Far
/ Grounds. which are necessary for future
| fairs and while, if the do
nothing policy is adopted. they see there
/ is ample value in the property to return
each one all the money he has advanced
after paying all the debts of the society.
LOOK TO THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
! nj M