The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-02-10


markable for the diversified style, and
beauty of th"!r architecture as they are
for the marvellous celebrity with which
they were designed and erected. This
is wherein the Midwintcr exposition sur
passes all the exhibitions of an inter
national character ever held anywhere.
1t was conceived. planned and called
into being within a few months, where.
as the most expeditions of other expOsi-
tons required years of planning and
preparation before they were ready for
the reception of visitors.
California had one superlative advan-
tage in the fact that there were gathered
in Chicago thousands of exhibitors who
were willing to take advantage of an op,
%portunity to show their products and pc
%culiarities elsewhere before returning to
their PARKWAY homes. But that advan-
tage was CALIFORNIA; only because she
seized it, and might have Injured to the
benefit Of New York or Boston had either
of those places spoken first.
That California was 50 quick to seize
the advantage was primarily and almost
&S31'A "AN w III OhNCl5 III GiLANA -StJlt1
Of one man. NJ. Fl. de Young. proprietor
of the San Francisco Chronicle, who was
Il of the California members Of the Co
lumbar national commission and vice
president Of that body. He conceived
the idea while attending the Chicago
fair, thought it over for a few hours till
he decided it was feasible, talked it over
with "a few of his fellow commissioners
till they agreed with him and then called
a meeting of prominent Californians in
Chicago and submitted the matter to
them. They all laughed at him at FIRST,
but before he was through talking they
had subscribed $4,000 to the scheme,
and the Midwinter exposition was then
launched.
That was in June last, and the magical
Sunset City has grown up since then III
all its completeness and beauty. Mr.. de-
Young is president and director general
OF its destinies, and the ablest and most
public spirited of CALIFORNIA; citizens
are united with him in the work. They
have not only seemed to deserve success,
but actually to command it. 1t will not
be found in any American heart to with
hold from them a need of admiration
and praise. "
The bare narration of these facts Is
sufficient to show Mr.. de Young's great
executive ability. The history Of his pa
per, The Chronicle, gives another illus
tration of it. He and his brother Charles,
both mere boys, in 1865 started a daily
theatrical programme called The ORA
matte Chronicle on a borrowed capital
Of SEQ. The little sheet was distributed
gratuitonsly, but the young editors made
it bright and newsy, and before long it
dropped its distinctive dramatic quality
and entered the field Of regular journal
ism. Today it is safe to say it pays u
fair income on "a valuation Of s.. coo, 900.
Not many people know that Mr.. de
Young is responsible for the huge Manu-
features building at the Columbian ex
position. 1t is Il fact, however, and it il
lustrates the peculiar bent of his genius.
When the national commission was con
sidering the plans for the great structures,
it came very nea adopting one for the
Manufactures building which devoted Il
large space in the centerto an open court.
J But it vas o found there would not be
near enough room for the exhibits which
were then assured.
Here was a dilemma. What was to
be done Mr.. de Young suggested roof
ing over The central court. Impossible.
The span was too great. He is not fond
Of admitting im~possibilities and thought
his suggestion perfectly practicable. The
event proved that he was right and gave
to the world the grandest piece of archi-
lecture it V saw. The world wonld
not he worse off If it had more such
men. II. T. WHITE.