The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-07
The WORLDS FAIR.
It Was Discussed at the Business
Mems Winter Festival.
DAVID M. THOMpsoN'S ADDRESS.
A Very Forcible Presentation Of the Ad-
vantages and Possibilities of Rhode
Island I'm the Matter of the Worlds
Columbian Exhibition.

At the Winter festival Of the Rhode
Island Business Mems Association Satur-
day night, about ESQ guests, including
many ladies were present. Wood, Bick-
nell e. Potter, II. B. Stockwell, T. w.
Rounds &c Co., George +. Mann, "A. B.
Pitkin, NJ. r. Kinlock. S. a. B. Lederer
and j. III. Lillibridge of Central Village,
Conn, were elected members. ii. c.
Bangs was appointed a member Of the
committee on industrial exhibit.
President Barden announced as the sub
ject for the evening, Rhode Island at the
Worlds Fair" and presented Gov. Ladd
as the first speaker. Gov. l.add recalled
TO the assembly the meeting in 1889, when
the business men from all over the State
met at the Board of Trade building to de-
eide which site Rhode Island favored for
the Worlds Fair. Gov. Ladd then gave a
description of the work as it is being done
at Chicago.
speaker and spoke of tho assistance rem
dered by the women in the great enter
prise.
David NJ Thompson said: The theme of
this evenings discussion comprehends the
vast area OF the industrial interests OF the
State Of Rhode Island and a just view Of
these interests i conceive, involves a
knowledge of the past and present social
and industrial conditions and character
istics OF the people. They are widely
diversified industries. The Intelligence
and skill of our artiZans, the vast accum-
ulation of capital, the great natural add
vantages and the undeveloped resources of
the State-all Of which are factors of great
Importance and should be considered in
promoting the spirit and shaping the
policy of the business men upon whom
rests the responsi biity Of determining the
position of Rhode Island at the Worlds
Fair. | cannot conceive of a subject III
which there is more of inspiration for the
exercise of n just spirit of patriotism.
Who can measure the length;and breadth,
or determine the heighth of this
great opportunity, TO determine
the full import and signif-
icance of Just and proper action in
which Rhode Island shall be given n re-
presentation at the Worlds Fair commes-
surate with the dignity, magnituded and
the Importance of her interests
believe that the time is at hand when
the city of Providence and all other sec
tions within the State ought, in the in
terests of the people, TO come to the front
and assume the position to which they are,
l believe, justly entitled 10 occupy This
can, however. only be done through the
process of casting off the old garments of
apathy and Indifference which have so
long prevailed and putting on the robes
people. There is great cause for general
rejoicing that-an- important revolution
in the public sentiment of the
city and State is now in progress.
But, In connection with this matter, and
l think it will be exceedingly helpful, n
proposition has been made and IL now
about being presented to the people of
Rhode Island for the establishment of
Rhode Island State Industrial Exposition,
coupled with il also a school of industrial
design, ultimately TO become, il is hoped,
polytechnic school of high order. So
far as the general sentiment of the COM
munity and the various sections through
out the State have been ascertained, we
believe it is being received with great
deal of favor i commend that subject TO
your consideration, and in connection
with it suggest that. Rhode Island at the
Worlds Fair shall also be considered, be-
cause they ought to go hand in hand.
They will greatly help each other. An in
dustrial exposition, perhaps, for this
State, will do much for placing the exhib-
its of Rhode Island as they ought to be
placed at Chicago.
tell you. my friends, it is no idle talk
that if there existed in the city of Provi-
dence the same public spirit that is easily
to be found in the city of Boston that has
been known there through all the century,
the city of Providence, to-day would have
n population of more than 100000. APP
plause.