Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-01

the United States UONeEnincub SUI iuS
ture or peer within to-day without
delighted thrill OF exultation. Possibly
never more perfectly has the effective
ness of the national resources been
brought to bear TO meet given condi-
tions. From the Stars and Stripes hut
tering above the huge red dome
and the gilded eagle over
the entrance to the tniest
details OF the showing of Uncle Sans
household affairs everything was In
spick and span order. 1t is curious
fact, in striking contrast with the be-
wildering 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
progress for to-morrow's opening ana
inspection was being performed by
couple OF boys in blue, who were rub
-bing some stray flecks OF dust from the
life-like representations OF government
mules attached TO an ambulance.
Close at hand was ffty-two ton
piece of modern artillery exactly
in place as it will be throughout the
exposition. Similar system and orcer
and readiness was uniform, whether
one chese to gaze at the hanesome
model postoffice with the shining fast
mail railway coach alongside, at the va
ried and complicated devices for river
and harbor improvement. the State De-
partment's oil painting OF famous Amer
leans and cases of precious documents,
torpedoes that would hoist hostile
man of war skyward, and so on.
THE AGRICULTURAL BUILDING.
The interior OF the Agricultural
building presents very much the ap-
pearance of Kansas village just after
rainless cyclone. Boxes, bundles,
sheaves, grain. bottles, skins, agricul-
tural implements and machinery are
distributed in apparently hopeless con-
fusion all over the building, ann scarce
dozen Of the hundreds Of exhibits ap-
pear to be taking on any systematic
shape. 1t is apparent to the novice
that weeks must elapse beforesthe ex-
hibits of the Agricultural building will
be all installed ready for the visitors OF
ethical taste. Several Of the exhibitors
have, however, made commendable
progress, though the entire building as
yet fails to show single complete in
stalled exhibit.
THE HORTICULTURAL BUILDING.
The Horticultural building was one of
the first to receive exhibits, and its in
terror has been kept in state of tropi-
cal warmth throughout the entire win
ter. From one end TO the other, ar
ranged in perfect system with exquis-
ite taste, are every variety OF plants
and flowers known to all the zones.
Orchids 20 the value of hundreds of
thousands of dollars are on exhibition,
and the great triumph of the exposition
is the unique spectacle OF century
plant 500 years old in full bloom.
This plant has attracted thou
sands OF visitors for weeks and
will continue to do so until 1t has run
its race, as the tradition is that the
plant must wither away after this CEN
tennial bloom. The Horticultural build
ing is heated by an ingenius system
which furnishes warm, damp air OF an
temperature, and the plants
flourish under its balmy influence. The
building is one of the most conspicu-
ously located Of the Fair, having floor
space Of six and one-half acres and cost
ing over 100000. In front OF the build
ing there is terrace and a low parapet.
In front OF the terrace borders the wa
ter and affords commodious landing
for the pleasure boats aud gondolas.
TRANSFORMATION BUILDING.
1t is very doubtful whether any build
Ing within the grounds of the great
fair will attract more attention than
that devoted to transportation. 1t is
radically distinct from all the others at
least to external appearances. The ex-
ternal walls are decorated in colors
about as brilliant and varied in design
as those found in Turkish rug, all the
other great structures are white or
cream colored. There are enough ex-
hibits in place to give one
an idea as to what may
be expected when the whole is finished.
The exhibit of the Transportation build
ing comprises everything from Mexi-
can donkey to modern LOCOMOTIVES;
from a birch bark canoe to a full sized
model of modern ocean greyhound.
Just within the main entrance to this
building known as the Golden Gate"
is a model Of Christopher Columbus
flagship, the Santa Maria.
In the historical exhibit is the old
engine General" which
some federal soldiers stole from the
forces at Chattanooga dur
ing the late rebellion. In the British
exhibit is the ''Old Lord of the Isles"
built in 1851 for the Worlds Exposition
in Crystal Palace where it was consid-
cred marvel.
THE NAVAL EXHIBIT.
Within a stones throw OF the tall
lighthouse at the extreme northwest
portion OF the park is the picturesque
warship, in which the Naval Depart
ment will makeits exhibit. The cruiser
is constructed on piling driven in the
bottom Of the lake in such a
manner as to give the impression
that it is a real war vessel of the Navy
The ship is 34S feet in
length, 90 feet in width and II feet
from the main deck to the water line.
A realistic appearance has been effected
by the presence Of guns. turrets, tor
pejo tubes, and nets and other appli-
ances found aboard man-of-war.
Nearly all the heavy machinery is In
place in Machinery Hall, and much Of
it will be in operation from the opening
day, but there is great deal to be
done.
In the Administration building will
be held all the meetings of the Com
the local directory and the
various committees in authority, The
great dome OF the building, with its
coating of aluminium bronze, makes the
building one OF the most attractive Of
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