Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-09-14
THE TEXAS EXHIBIT CARS
WHAT T. v. WILKINSON HAS TO
SAY ABOUT THE MATTER.
Nebraska Intends to Follow Subtitle
Question Of Finances . Puz zline One.
Some Interesting Facts.

A GAZETTE reporter learning that the
Fort Worth and Rio Grande exhibit car had
! returned from six weeks trip hunted up
| MIR. Wilkinson and piled him with ques-
| tions.
What success did you meet withl'
THAT depends upon what you would call
success. II TO remove prejudice and con-
vince vast numbers OF people that Texas is
better state than they had heretofore be-
lieved it to be, our trip has been an eminent
| success. 1t is not enough, as has been the
habit of many who speak proudly of
Texas, to say she is country of vast re-
sources and area, for this was the case with
America when Columbus discovered it, but
when you carry to them great V riety
and fine quality of developed resources
then you have shown the results Of civil
lied occupancy, which proves it to be far
above nomadic occupancy. The vintage,
the granary and the factory talk much
more convincingly than all the loud boasts
Of broad domain
$50 you think your exhibit had the effect
to convince people that Texas is good
state to come to?''
Yes; it is not egotism orlvanity in me to
say that this way of reaching the people is
the best way, for the simple reason that al
though originated ii in Texas, yet ! did it
in imitation of several of the most progress
i've and best developed states in this
Union. But am sorry TO say that the
workers in this cause find very different
responsive spirit of cooperation in Texas
than they do in the other states Just re-
ferred to. Everywhere we went the COM
bined exhibit of the Fort Worth and Rio
Grande, and that under the direction of
Maj Slosson, carried conviction to the
minds of those who saw it, most favorable
to the entire state, and yet while this noble
and much needed work is being so efficient
ly done, the financial support thatssshould be
sent forward with enthusiasm and accom-
panied by words of good cheer is coming
along grudgingly, and likely to play out al
together. Hard times has much to do with
this, of course, but after working in this
cause in several states and in Texas for the
past for years, l notice the marked dis
tinction between our people and elsewhere.
1t Is simply the want of the true spirit of
cooperation. The state of Nebraska, sui
fering as she is much more from hard times
than is Texas, is this moment working on
the project of sending out two cars from
Omaha; but mark the difference, the chair
nan of the committee which had the matter
in charge informed me that thirty-fve
counties had already reported $500 in cash
on hand each for the enterprise. | consider
1t no little compliment TO my work TO be
ablasto say that the city editor Of the Omaha
Bee, after visiting our exhibit cars, invited
ME out to the suburban residence of the
chairman of their exhibit committee
in Omaha, TO give him some pointers as to
the best way TO arrange, so as to not lumber
up their limited space too much. l told
them l was always governed by the idea OF
getting together the greatest number and
variety of impressive facts, having refer
ence always to quality and variety, embel-
hshed and beautifed by artistic arrange
ment. The chairman said if he had not
checked the size of some of the single items
of exhibits he could have filed cars with
rN--n 10 A.,l a
mated 4 carload of wheat in the bundle
mark the contrast between this spirit and
the hard work We met with in collecting
our eXhibit), a carload of potatoes, and SO
on until it would take several trains to
carry the exhibit Nebraska farmers were
willing and anxious to send.'
"How are the speeches of Governor Hub
bard received"
Governor Hubbard is 4 grand man in the
right place. l am sensible of the fact that
commonplace encomiums viii not do such |
a man justice. l only hope that this enter !
prise in behalf OF our state, so humbiy, |
though earnestly begun four years ago. |
now that it has assumed proportions com |
mensurate with the dignity of the state, |
and IS IN such loyal hands as Maj. Slosson |
and Governor Hubbard, will receive the ,
support needed TO make it the grand sue |
cess it can be made. l also hope that all |
good and faithful workers for this enter |
prise and our Worlds fair exhibit will not
be forced to eXclaim in terms of contempt |
because Of neglected treatment: The
public be -"