The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-03-25
ROANOKE, Va, March "a, 1892.

paIC your enterprlSlng journal mas taken
in advocating an appropriation, by the
legislature for State exhibit at the
Worlds Exposition in 1893, and the in
terest in the subject shown by the great
railroad whose lines concentrate so much
of its powerful influence in your city,
as we'll as the SYM pathy of your promi-
n3nt citizens in the matter, is we'll
known.
The writer, therefore, begs leave to
use your columns in presenting some
phases Of the subject which its present
status makes importantand interesting,
especially to your readers in Southwest
Virginia. 1t is known to most of them
that the legislature saw flt to appro-
pirate only $4,000, SUN smaller by
one-half than the legislative committee
OF the Virginia Association thought
necessary and applied for.
The question now for consideration is,
How can so small an amount as S25, 900
be made to go a long way? Much can
be done with this sum as nucleus
around which to gather other contribu-
tlons from various sources, and there
Will be ample scope for the brain and
Drawn Of the ten State commissioners
and tho auxiliary of 100 men and 100
womeu-two of each In every county
to devise measures and gather up ex-
hibits. OF course, a State building must
be constructed, simple and ,unpretend-
ing, consistent with the available re-
sources of debt-burdened State.
Every State which has an appropria-
ton is to erect building upon donated
ground, which shall illustrate some
popular idea, point to some important
historical event connected with that
particular Commonwealth, and repro
sent some famous or antiquated struc-
ture, but no State can vie with Virginia
in this popular idea. which carries a
pretty sentiment along with prominent
historical event-that of having the
Virginia building fac smile Of Mt.
vernon, and having in the house an
exact duplicate of the room, furniture
and all where Washington died. Some
OF the furniture itself has already been
oiered to the writer by member of the
washington family. No other State
has Washington. No American is
more widely known in other countries,
and thousands of foreigners will visit
the exposition who have heard of Wash
lngton-"the American patriot and
father of his country'--who mover heard
OF Virginia even, and here and there on
the exposition grounds and in public
places in Chicago should be directions
and sign boards pointing to Mt. Vernon.
But before tho thousands and tens OF
thousands of Yankees, Westerners and
foreigners who had never put foot on
Virginia soil got to the MT. Vernon
building, every railroad in Virginia,
every codnty,every enterprisiug and at
tractlve city, and every great industry
ShOtllQ h1 thQvn uit
phlet, descriptive circular, attractive
sketch, bright painting, distinctive map
and hundred other reminders of what
Virginia has on her soil, under her soil.
ano in her waters. Then when the
slghtseer has come and E ratified his GU
riosity the attendants would place in
his hand something to carry away with
him that would show him what Vir-
ginia has to offer the stranger.
No city in Virginia has moro to show
TO the world to illustrate the enter
prises of the new South, land the won
derfol grit Of her citizens than has this
Magic City OF yours. A ooncisely writ
ten. we'll prepared pamphlet, embell-
ished with neat cuts of some of your
handsome business blocks, your mag
nificent hotels, your great shops and
factories, your beautiful private resi-.
dences and your picturesque surround
Ing scenery, with statements as to your
unrlvalled railroad facilities, your re-
markable growth and increase of values
with all the unusal inducements offered
TO settlers here, should be prepared. If
such a pamphlet were at hand by the
ten thousands in the Virginia building,
and should be furnished to the throng
of visitors who would come to the his
torlc place from every part of this coun-
Try and from the whole world, Roanoke
would get such An ADVERTISEMENT as she
never had before and will never have
again.
If the Norfolk and Western railroad
should stock that Mount Vernon build
ing at Chicago with an unlimited supply
CT Its admirably prepared literature and
choice collection of the attractive
views and handsome improvements
along its line, it, too, would have new
source OF advertisement that would ac-
complish great results.
Ihere are many who think that the
alspiay of State must be placed in tho
state building, and, hearing of tie
small appropriation Virginia has made,
are discouraged and ready to abandon
the idea of making an exhibit, thinking
thece would be so little space. or
course, that is mistaken conception of
the matter. All the space that can pos.
sibly be required will be furnished in
the ms mense public buildings for min.
{ rh, printing, machinery and other dis
plays while IL is the State building that
furnishes local habita t on a--home, as
1t were, for her citizens to drop into
among this gathering Of the nations OF
tho world, and place to which they
may invite their visitors and friends, |
nj tho hoe nd la 4