The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1893-12-14
interested to extend hearty co-opera-

|
/ q The Board of Managers were late
in beginning the actual work necessary
to be done before the opening of the
fair. Some of the States making che
best show of their products and resourc-
es began the work of collection and
| preparation Of exhibits two or three
years in advance, and were consequently
less embarrassed and more thorough in
every respect.
3. Want of experience in such mat
tiers interfered seriously with undertake
ing. In most of the States were persons
who attended one or more of the great
expositions that have taken place within
the last quarter Of a century, and they
They were also authorized to employ
competent artists who, by education and
practice, were peculiarly well-ftted for
the duties required of them.
4. Paucity of means was the greatest
obstacle of all, and thoagh it has proved
An annoying embarrassment through
out, when a fair comparison is made as
between the money expended by other
States and the State Of Virginia, and
the results as they are, we hardly be.
lieye the most exacting will complain.
AS TO FUTURE EXHIBITS.
In any future attempt of Virginia to
participate in an exposition like this,
there should be provided sufficient
amount of money to engage the service
of at least two competent persons-one
for the department of agriculture fores>
try, and one for the department of mines
and mining. They ought to be men well
posted in their respective lines of work,
active, energetic, industrious, thoroughly
conversant with the resources and adap-
tations of the State. No executive Com
missioner can do justice to himself and
his State when he attempts to direct the
details of so many departments to be
provided for in great undertaking of
this character. It would be wise if the
next General Assembly of Virginia
would formulate some plan for begin
ming the work of collecting, at some
suitable place. specimens of minerals,
mineral ores, building stones, coal, coke,
forestry products, and other evidences
of the material resources of the State,
so that when occasion demands they
may be ready for use, and could be dis
played in the best manner possible,
Such collection as might, in few
years. and at reasonable cost, be se>
cured. which would also serve as an ad-
vertisment for the State, In addition
to this there ought to be made, under
the authority of the Legislature, a cons
plete geological survey, and this, in con
nection with reliable statistics of the re-
source, products, and industries of the
State, published and extensively distrib
uted every year. The absence of print
ed matter of this kind has been felt here
this past summer, and restricts the benz
efits to be derived from the participa-
ton in the Worlds Columbian Expos.
tion.
In concluding this hastily prepared re-
port written, as it has been, in the midst
situation here, it is just and highly pro-
per to say that whatever social advan>
tages, attentions, and comforts Virgin
ians have received at the Mount Vernon
Binding, and the aggregate of these is
large, the credit is due to the thoughts
full and genial hospitality OF the lady as
sistant, Mrs. William Il. Beale, and it is
no risk to venture the remark that she
will be most kindly remembered by the
hundreds of visitors who have seen the
Fair and had the privilege of meeting
her at the Virginia State Building.
COLONEL BUFoRD's LETTER.
Colonel Buford, President of tue Board,
in transmitting the report to the Cover
nor, writes as follows:
I'VE are now endeaYoring to wind up
the work as rapidly as possible, and get
materials returned to parties entitled,
involving as it does continued labor. ex>
pense, and responsibility. A little later
| hope to be able to submit further a
summary embracing a full statement of
resources and expenditures,
The Dispatch has published several
awards made after DIR. Apperson's re
port was closed.