St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-10-09
PRESERVE THE EyHIRITs

1t is about time to inquire what shall
be done with the Minnesota exhibit at
the worlds fair. In the state building,
and scattered through the departmental
bulldings-machinery hall, agricultural,
fisheries, mines and mining, fine arts,
horticultural and women's buildings
are to be found the most complete dis
play of our natural products, our man
ufactureS and Industries that has ever
been gotten together-a display that in
all probability could never be dupli-
Gated. and on that account possesses a
value which cannot be OvereStimated.
Some of the other states have already
taken measures to preserve their exhib-
its for the benefit of future generations,
but as yet Minnesota has not made any
such provisions.
The GLOBE regards the preservation,
i'll permanent form, of the Minnesota
exhibits as of the highest concern to
the state. 1t would be impossible, of
conrse, to preserve articles of a perish
able nature, such as fruits, flowers and
grains, but, aside from these, the state
has wealth of treasure at Chicago. 1t
aiuo NOo0 VIZ oUutO q lIpuuSOlHC SUN W
collect and prepare it f or exhibition.
That money need not prove total loss
if steps are Immediately taken to utilize
the exhibits. There are many articles
now in Chicago that can never be dupli-
Gated at whatever cost, and there are
many others that, though now of but
little value, will, in the course of time,
be worth more than their weight in
gold. Is it not the duty of the state
authorities to take some steps toward
the preservation of these exhibits? They
would be more than nucleus of mag
nificent museum - they would be
museum Ill themselves, of surprising
interest, not only to our own citizens,
but to the strangers who might be within
our gates.
1t is doubtful if ever again there will
be gathered together as complete COL
lection of specimens of our mineral re-
sources, our timber woods, our game
birds, animals and fish, our relics of
past days or evidences Of our present
prosperity and progress In the arts and
manufactures. These should all be
preserved for the benefit of posterity.
They can be cared for at nominal ex-
pense until such time as a larger outlay
may be practicable. Temporary quar-
tiers might be procured by the state at
small expense where everything of per-
manent value now in Chicago might be
stored or displayed, and when the new
capitol is erected, if ever. the present
capitol building might be devoted to the
purposes of the permanent museum.
Upon the state historical society, per-
haps, should devolve the duty of taking
the initiative in this matter. Its pres
ent collection is valuable one-it could
be made ten-fold more valuable by Sc
lections made judiciously from the Chi
cago exhibits. The showcases for their
display are already the property of the
state, and there would be no opposition
in any quarter to turning them, as we'll
as all other state belongings connected
with the fair, over to the custody and
care of the historical society.
The worlds ia will close its doors
III three weeks. and it therefore be-
hooves the authorities of Minnesota to
be up and doing. Unless some plan is
agreed upon at once, the most valuable
of our state displays will be seized upon
by other states. and the whole collection
disSipated and its value forever i'm
paired. Of course the historical So
ciety will receive back its own, but it
should not be satisfied with this. 1t
should arrange with the worlds fair
commissioners of the state for every
article that is of present value or that
| promises to possess value in the future.