The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-09-16
CORRESPONDENCE.
From the "earden city,


CHICAGO Sept. Sd, 1892.
To the Editor of the Bdnner.-DEAR
SlR.-The Cholera scare in this country
has almost absorbed every other interest
of Importance. If all reports be true 1t
is to be feared that this country sooner or
later will not escape its ravages. Unless
immigration is stopped it will find its
way into all of the large cities, for so
many vessels are coming to our shores
direct from all of the infected regions of
the old world (bringing with them all of
the most filthy that are in those coun-
tries and they are glad to get rid of them),
that we are simply the catch-all of the
old world. Paupers are increasing TO
an alarming extent in this country.
Many of our poor houses are full to over
flowing. A cry has come from the Bride
we'll here that they have more than they
can accommodate of thieves and the worst
characters in this city. This number is
increasing as the Worlds Fair is slowly
approaching, showing that some of the
worst characters in the country are flock
ing here to rob and plumber. They have
already commenced their hellish deeds.
At this writing news comes to us of a
number of resident houses plundered of
money, jewelry and clothing; besides
crimes are increasing in this city every
day and will until after the Fair closes.
Many new buildings and other features
have been added within six months.
Since the last map of the Worlds Fair
grounds and buildings at Jacksons Park
was printed nearly six months ago, many
important changes have taken place.
Almost every day, indeed, adds to the
magic growth of that wonderful enter
prise. Many new buildings which have
been provided for have sprung up. New
schemes of transportation about the
grounds have been devised. Additional
concessions upon the Midway Plaisance
have been granted. The scheme for a
railway entrance at the southwest corner
of the Park has been perfected. The pier
at the south inlet has been extended from
1920 feet to $500; its width has been in
creased, and for the convenience of pas
sengers movable sidewalk $500 feet
long has been located on the pin. The
new map contains sketch of the Mid
way Plaisance showing the number and
character of the thirty-six concessions
which have been granted for that tract of
ground. A brief glance at the key to the
Midway Plaisance will show that
journey from one end of it to the other
will be equivalent almost to trip around
the world. The visitor when he starts
out may see village of Dahomey, an
Austrian village, Chinese tea house, a
Morocco exhibit, a Roman house, an AL
gerian village, a street in Cairo, Moor
ish palace, Turkish village, apanorama
of the Burmese Alps, Japanese bazaar,
Venetian village, and large number of
other attractions, and if the readers of
the BANNER cannot form any idea of all
this then let them come to this wonder
full place next year and see one of the
most wonderful villages on this or any
other continent. 1t is interesting to note
that but four foreign buildings have been
planned and work begun. Of the forty
four sites set aside for State buildings
twenty-six have structures rising upon
them.
House cleaning has begun at Jackson
Park in anticipation of the dedication
ceremonies. A very large force of men
is employed on this work. The building
of roads and paths is progressing rapidly,
and walks and flower beds are being laid
out on the terraces along the grand
basin. The complexion of the Manu-
facturers' building in which particular
interest is just now conferred, is in sight
and there is no doubt of its being in
readiness for the opening ceremonies.
The steel work of the roof will be COM
pleted within week. and the carpenters
and staffmakers are as close upon the
iron workers as possible. The artists
who are decorating the interior of the
domes over the entrances are on the
ground. The big dome of the Illinois
State building begins to loom up. The
big plate glass tanks in the aquara of the
Fisheries Building are nearly completed,
and some of the fish will be placed in
them next month. The designs for the
interior decoration of the Woman's re-
ception room in the Illinois State Build
ing were presented to the Illinois
Woman's Exposition Board yesterday,
but decision was postponed owing TO the
fact that the Board decided to place no
book cases in the room, and to convert
the adjoining room into library. This
necessitated changes in the plans pre-
sented, and made necessary additional
plans for the decoration of this library.
The time for completion was extended
until Sept. 18th, and meanwhile competi-
ton is open to all women residents of IL
linois. Designs are also desired for the
ornamental treatment of the wall spaces
above the windows in the main exhibit
gallery, and also designs for frieze for
the kindergarten room, and if found
more desirable, designs for wall paper es-
pecially appropriate for such room. Miss
Callahan, chairman of the Historical
committee, writes that she has been Of
fered Muzio Clement piano nearly 200
years old, for the exhibit in the Woman's