The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-01
UNCLE SAM ON TIME.

His Building and Exhibits in Perfect Condi-
ton for Visitors To-Day.
Head and shoulders above every body else
in sight to-day was Uncle SAM with build
ing and exhibit magnificent in their COM
pleteness. Whatever else within the ex-
position might be said of Disappointing
conditions. it would be a poor specimen in.
deed of American citizen. who even In the
bowling wind and drenching rain this
morning. could approach the United States
government structure or peer within with
out q delighted thrill of exultation. Possl-
bly, never more perfectly has the effective
ness of the national resources been brought
to bear to meet given conditions. From
the stars and stripes futtering above the
huge red dome and the great gilded eagle
over the entrance to the tlniest details of
the showing of Uncle Sams household
affairs. every thing was In spIck and span
order.
1t is curious fact, in striking contrast
with the bewildering confusion in so many
other places that inside the federal walls.
In the big space devoted to the army, the
most serIous necessary preparation in prog
ress for to-morrow's opening inspection
was beng performed by a couple of boys
in blue. who were rubbing some stray
tiecks OF dust from the life-like representa-
tions of government mules attached to
ambulance. Close at hand was q tiftytwo.
ton piece OF modern artillery, exactly in
place. as 1t will be throughout the exposi-
ton. Similar system. and order. and readi-
ness was uniform. whether one chose
to gaze at the handsome model
postotfice. with the shining fast
mail railway coach along side
At the varied and complicated
devices for river and harbor Improvement.
the State Departments oil paintings of
famous Americans the cases of precious
documents, tOrpedoes that would hoist o
fications Of Arctic ex ploration. fascinating
displays illustrating the rarest natural
history and geology of the country, and
the curosites of the Patent Office. and so
on. The grandeur of the Nation has a
fitting type in the space under the great
dome: In the center of the great circle.
with brilliantly executed frescOes lookln g
down from every side rises the trunk of n
rugged giant of some California forest. SO
vast In circumference as to be suggestive of
a strength and power almost beside which
the great steel rifles and torpedoes seem
almost puDy.
Leaving Uncle Sans portals lakeward
the great white mimic battle ship Illinois
greets the eye. In another direction the
visitor Is confronted by the noble array of
State buildings. while to the south is the
colossus of the exposition-the Manufac-
lures Building Between oil these. wher-
/
personal domain of Uncle Sam. the drive
ways. aud walks. and wide sweeps of green
sward were well nigh perfect. The con-
tents of the passing wagon loads Of rub bish
from other parts of the ground were az
times sent whirllng over this choice dis
trlct. but. aside from such disagreeable in
cIdents, the great, beautiful building this
afternoon. suggestive of the nation al Capt.
tOl, seemed, with the superb surroundings.
and. Notwithstanding the wretchedness OF
the weather. all that any but the most
confirmed cynic could ask for, the spot pre-
eminently devoted here in competition
with the world to Gods own country"
Within a stones throw of the tall light
house at the extreme northeast portion of
the park. dashed by a rough sea. is the
picturesque warship in which the Naval
Department. will make it's exhibit. The
cruiser 10 constructed on piliDg driven In
the bottom of the lake in such n manner as
| to give the impression that IL is real wal
vessel of the Navy Department. The ex.
| hibit was conceived by Capt. r. w. Meade
| of the United States navy. who has been
placed in charge. and he has succeeded in
| collecting an exhibit which will be of great
| interest. The ship Is 34S feet In length
sixtv-niue feet in width and twelve feet
| from the main deck to the water line.
realistic appearance has been effected by
| the presence of guns. turrets. torpedo tubes
| and nets and other appliances found aboard
| man of war. The vessel will be manned
| during the fair and the same discipline
maintained that obtains on board wal
ahip