Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-02-13

markable for the diversified styles and beauty of their architecture as they are for the marvellous celcrity with which they were designed and erected. This is wherein the Midwinter exposition sur passes all the exhibitions of an inter national character ever held anywhere. It was conceived, planned and called into being within few months, where as the most expeditions of other exposi- tions 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 faraway homes. But that advan- tage was California's only because she seized it, and might have inured to the benefit of New Y York or Boston had either of those places spoken first.
 That California was so quick to seize the advantage was primarily and almost entirely due to the foresight and sagacity of one man, NJ. H. de Young. proprietor
 
 one of the California members of the Co., lumbian 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 1t was feasible. talked it over with d 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 $45, ,0O0 to the scheme and the Midwinter exposition was then launched.
 That was ill June last, and the magical Sunset City has grown up since then in all its completeness and beauty. Mir. de Young is president and director general of its destinies, and the ablest and most public spirited of CalifOrnia's citizens are united with him in the work. They have not only seemed to deserve success, but actually to command it. It will not be found i'll any American heart to with hold from them a need of admiration and praise:
 The bare narration of these facts is sufficient to show MT. 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 daily theatrical programme called The Ora matic Chronicle on borrowed capital of $20. The little sheet was distributed gratuitously, 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 a fair income on a valuation of $2 2,000,O ,OO0.
 Not many people know that MT. de Young is responsible for the huge Manu- factufes building at the Columbian ex- position. It is 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 near adopting one for the Manufactures building which devoted a large space ill the center to an open court. But it was soop found there would not be near enough room for the exhibits which were then assured.
 Here was dilemma. What was to be done? MT. de Young suggested roof ing over the central court. Impossible. The span was too great. He is not fond of admitting impossibilities 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 ever saw. The world would not be wore.p off if h had more such men. H. T. WHITE.