Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-08
The Chioago EXPOSITION.

After some storming and squobbling,
characteristic of the lusty West. the pre-
iiminary plans for the Worlds Fair have
been arranged. and approved by the Presi-
dent, and active preparations are now being
made TO ensure successful exhibition and
provide for tho comfortable entertainment
of the millions of people who will 60 to
Chicago while the fair is in progress.
The original scheme contemplated An ex-
position IN 1897, strictly commemorative
of the fonr-hundredth anniversary OF the
Discovery of America by COLUMBUS, but so
much time was consumed by Congress in
deciding between the rival cities which
claimed the honor and emoluments of the
exhibition that q years postponement was
found to be necessary. The ceremonies,
however. will begin IN 1892 with reviews Of
the navies OF the world at New York and
in Hampton Roads.
The splendor Of Now York's busting bay
and harbor Is we'll worth showing, and by
the time fixed tho United States will have
aAoat feet of great iron ar-ships, which
will be creditable to our country.
We shall. however. ask no pardon for
taking moro interest in the review which
will occur in Virginia waters than that at
New York, as the former may be easily
witnessed by ell of our citizens who care to
expend few dollars to make the trip to
Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, or Old
Point.
New York has no body of water compare
BILE TO Hampton Roads for such display
as is proposed, and inasmuch as the first
ironclads ever used in warfare appeared
upon the Roads il is meet and appropriate
that there should be grand muster there
of the finest specimens Of these ships
possessed by each of the great nations Of
the earth. The place and occasion will
suggest q comparison Of naval architecture
now and at the time MAY. 1859 when the
Virginia and the Monitor went into action.
The two great naval reviews in October,
1892, will usher in OF rather advertise the
fair Of 1898.
Chicago has furnished fine site for the
exposition buildings. 1t is in park which
Is ample in acreage, beautifully situated,
and very accessible. The appropriations
by the city Of Chicago and the subscriptions
of its private citizens, together with what
will be spent by Congress and the various
State legislatures and foreign Govern
ments, will be sufficient to erect spacious
buildings and secure splendid exhibits.
The South should forge to the front at
this Exposition. 1t ought gladly to seize
the opportunity to advertise its adyan-
tages to the world. To do 1t will require
the expenditure of some money. but IL will
DO sent ont only to return with more. We
undertake to say, without making an
inquiry, that North Carolina and Georgia
will be properly represented at Chicago,
but what will the Old Dominion do ? In
1876 she did nothing. The Legislature ac-
tually refused TO appropriate $4,000 to
erect q building in which TO assemble the
exhibits from the State. While thousands
of our people went TO Philadelphia and
spent their money there. the State derived
little OF no substantial benefit from the
Exposition. Other States made it pay
them, but we did not think it worth while
to try.
We hope that our folks will take more
business-like view of the Chicago fair.
Millions of people will attend it, and it
will present to US On opportunity to draw
the attention Of the world to our advan-
tages and resources.
There is q proposition that all the south
ern States shall unite in an exhibit. Pos
sibly 1t may be o good plan. If suitable
concert of action can be secured in time it
might prove happy arrangement; but in
any event the General Assembly of vir-
ginia onght 10 appropriate the money 10
build Virginia house. In this building
there should be sufficient space for our ex-
hibits and for large room to be used as q
RENDEZVOUS for yirginians for those who are
citizens Of the old State and for those who
have made their homes in other parts Of
the country.
To get proper exhibition We must 60
10 work ct once. There is nucleus of OK
hibits in the department of the Commits
sioner of Agriculture here. Several of the
railroad companies have fine collections of
woods, minerals. &c. The proposed expo
sition in Richmond this fall ought to be
the means of procuring much good ma
terial for use at Chicago.
Altogether. We feel sure that il the vir-
ginia building is provided it can be filed
with exhibits. and we think positive good
will thereby be done. At any rate, We win
show the world that we are not without en-
tsrprise.
The State Capitol furnishes good model
for the Virginia building at Chicago. 1t
can be reproduced in wood at no great ex-
peuse and would be pretty, serviceable,
and significant. II would mean something.
and then II we could put in the rotunda
plaster cast Of HoupoN's statue Of VASE
uoroS and the vefitable old stove we
would have Virginia at Chicago "sure
enough"
II 10 . thing worth thinking about and
working for.
What Wall Qtreaf THINKS II MANS