The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-03-07
THE WORLDS FAR.
Business Reasons Why We
Should Not be Niggardly
I'm OUR APPROPRIATION
For a State ExhiBIt--siatshaI White
Recalls Some Facts About tho
Centennial Exhibit-..Points
For tho Legislature.


To ne Editor Of he EaitliGtAetT.
sIR:-Having read in the papers
about the appropriation proposed for the
Worlds Fair at Chicago, now pending
before the Legislature, 1t occurred to me
that since my experience at Philadel-
phia as contractor and builder Of our
State buildings there, in 1875, that a
few suggestions from me would not be
out Of place at this time. The Legis-
lature then appropriated $4,000, and no
like sum ever did SO much for the State
nor yield such returns on the invest
ment. The entire buildings cost less
than $1,000, and were all Of West vir.
ginia woods from my mills here. The
buildings we're worth more than they
cost the State. This l: know from expe.
rience, and my book account, but my
loss on the contract was largely on &C.
count OF naturalization OF wages, freights
and delays. Tho buildings were not
then what many OF our people would
have been glad to see, although many
wondered how they could have been
placed there for the price paid.
Now West Virginia can not place such
buildings as she should have In Chicago
for less than $25 900, and $S0, 900 will not
be too much, and then you must have
as much more for expenses. Now, mark
my word, II the Legislature don't make
such provision as above indicated the
blash to many Of our cheeks will come
when We visit tho great exposition-and
we will all want to go. Already, with
commendable spirit, clubs are forming
in the State 10 lay aside part OF their
savings for that purpose, and while We
are talking Of our untold hidden wealth,
vast forests, manufacturing aud agrlcul-
tural interests among ourselves, why arc
we not willing to advertise it to the
world? Who succeeds to-day who does
not lay broadly the foundation by
"blowing his own horn" and attracting
the rushing, onward marching populRcs?
Genl Watts is wrong. de never
heard what l did, time and again in
Philadelphia, when our own people
would come to the West Virginia build
ing and complain that they could find
no one there to give them any informa-
tion, show them through the buildings,
tell them to come in and be at home,
give drink OF water or attend to any OF
the wants Of tired humanity. The sign
on the door, WELCOME, the Latch
String Hangs Out" was good enough,
but 1t indicated no inhabitant within.
The means left after getting the exhibits
in shape was such q pittance that the
attendant, Prof. Morey, and an assistant,
part of tho time, could not stay. Mr.. o.
o. Dewey aud Alexander Boteler could
not give their time free for six months,
hence, many West Virginia people and
friends from other States were actually
disgusted at the state Of affairs existing
and would hurry away not caring to
hang around q place so deserted.
My connection with the building
ceased the day the Centennial opened,
although was in the city and on the
grounds several weeks afterwards, and
all over the city, at the hotels and board
ing houses, were our people complain
ing. This shouid neUer occur again.
The Legislators should not be niggardly.
They will see their error when Il is too
late. Less than SG0Q QG0 will be serious
mistake. / have no interest in this other
than as a citizen, and l assure you do
not expect to erect the buildings.
When General Watts learns what I
know about the expenses Of doing busi-
ness away from home, and for the State
at that, (you see everybody takes advan-
tsge OF such conditions, aud you can't
turn around twice in Chicago and not be
minus some cash) he will withdraw his
substitute or allow it to be amended. I
don't care what bill ia passed so the ap-
preparation Is sufficient to fairly repre-
sent US.
The commissioners on behalf Of the
State should be Of both political parties,
and the best business men Of the State.
All the shrewd men Of the world
who have anything to sell will be there,
and no mediocrity from West Virginia
should get into the board OF commits
sioners that are to control this appro-
priation and manage our exhibits and
interests there.
have written hastily, but i feel go
sure that great mistake 10 about to be
made that am constrained TO write as
l do. am a friend Of General Watts
and only name him because OF his mig
taken position. II, s. WHITE.
Bellon, ". Va, March 4.