The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-08
Georgia Must be Represented.


The conference. composed of representa-
tive men from nearly every part Of the
state, which was held in Atlanta, Wednes-
day. for the purpose of suggesting how an
amount of money sufficient to enable GeOr.
| gia 10 make a creditable showing at the
worlds Colum bisn feir at Chicago in 1898
could be obtsiied, will have the effect of
calling the attention Of Georgians to the
importance Of the fair and Of impressing
upon them the fact that they cannot afford
to miss the opportunity which
the fair will offer for advertising
their state. her products and resources.
The indifference which, until recently, has
been shown With respect to this matter is
difficult TO understand. 1t cannot be that
the people of Georgia don't care whether
their state makes a credltable appearance
at the fair or not They are too proud Of
their grand old commonwealth to have a
feeling of that kind. The reason that so
little has been done in the matter is proba-
bly, that everybody has been waiting for
some one to take the lead. The governor,
however. has taken hold Of it, and it now
looks as if something would be done toward
enabling Georgia to fill the place at the fair
to which she is entitled.
The great obstacle of course in the way Of
making an exhibit is the want of money.
With a reasonable sum Georgia could easily
make an appearance at the fair that would
excite the envy of all her sister states Of the
south. But where can the money be
obtainedl The legislature does not appear
to have the right to make an appropriation
for fair purposes, and it would be difficult
to raise by subscription the money that is
needed. At the conference it was suggested
that the income from the state road or the
proceeds of the sale of the Okefnokee
swamp lands could be drawn upon.
Whether either fund is available is ques-
ton which the legislature will consider,
doubtless. at its summer session. Surely the
legislature will be able to find money some
how which it can legitimately appropriate
for so laudable purpose.
II it is finally determined that the state
can do nothing the people will have to put
their hands into their pockets and contri-
butte an amount sufficient to let the world
know something about the Empire state of
the south. 1t would be shameful and dis
graceful for Georgia to make as shabby
appearance at the Columbian fair at Chi
cago as she did at the Cotton Centennial
fair at New Orleans. Under such circum-
stances Georgians would hardly desire to
visit the Columbian fair. They would feel
Inundated if their state ranked in the
matter of exhibits below those incompara-
bly, inferior to her in every respect.
If Georgia were TO make the effort she
could furnish exhibits which in number
and variety would make very interesting
fair. Indeed the products of her mines,
farms, forests and factories are second to
those of no other state What folly it
would be, therefore, for her people to
make no effort TO place her in the position
to which she is entitled at the Columbian
fair.
To some of them 300, 900 may seem to be
large sum to spend in making an exhibit
Of the states products, but it Is small in
comparison to the benefits the state would
receive from the expenditure of that sum.
The fact is, the world is just beginning to
unders and what great state Georgia is.
Only little is yet known respecting her re-
sources, but the more that is known the
greater is the inflow Of capital and immi-
grants, and the states wealth increases in
proportion to the increase of this inflow.
The state must be represented at the
Columbian fair, and in way that will
cause Georgians to feel proud of her. If
the legislature does not appropriate the
money necessary to enable her to make an
exhibit her people must tax themselves to do
it. And her exhibits must be such as will
leave no doubt as to the greatness of her
resources.