The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-16
ATLANTA'S EXPOSITION.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ASK Ed TO
SUBSTAHTIALLY ENDORSE II.
Business Men OF the South Appear Before
In the Interest Of the Project.

appeared before the House Committee on
Appropriations and explained the aims
and purposes of the proposed Cotton
States International Exposition. to be
held in Atlanta, in the fall Of 1895.
Mr. Clarke Howell, secretary Of the
legislative committee Of the exposition,
told the committee that the delegation
came to present matter in which the
whole country was interested.
Mr.. ,oLLIER's ARGUMENT.
Mr.. c. A. Collier, president of the
exposition company, said the idea which
induced those back of the enterprise TO
undertake 1t at this time was that the
time had arrived for securing closer com
mercial relations with the South Ameri-
can countries. The great bulk OF this
trade now went to Europe, which was
by all laws OF trade a business that be-
longed TO the United States. With proper
encouragement this trade could be turned
in our favor. The promoters OF the eN-
position wanted the Government 10 give
II It's approval Such recognition was
necessary for its success, especially
abroad. They did not ask a Government
appropriation 10 aid the exposition Dut
wanted the Government to erect nui'u-
ing and make an exhibit Nhlle Auan1a
men had started the enterprise II was J."
no way a local affair. All the southern
and southwestern States had endorteu 1t
and promised their support.
New York, New Jersey and some Oh
tho New England States had already eX-
messed q desire TO participate. The OBJ
iect was to make it an international ana
interstate affair. and the Government
should be glad to endorse an enterprise
which was for the good OF the whole
country.
WHAT CONGRESS Is ASKED TO DO.
The exposition company desired Com
gress to authorize the erection OF a SiV'-
OO0 building and TO appropriate $4,000
for TRANSPORTATION and care Of Govern
ment exhibit. So far between 10000 and
900 had been secured, but the com
pany did not want to go beyond the limits
of their State for subscriptions until the
Government had given the movement lts
approval Foreign ministers in WASH
ington had been consulted informally ana
had given assurance that as soon as the
Government had put the stamp Of ap-
proval on the enterprise they would pre-
sent the matter to their Government
Representative Livingston, Of Georgia,
said that the representatives of foreign
Governments would not take part in the
affair unless 1t was approved by TINS
Government.
Mr.. Collier echoed these sentiments, and
argued that il was useless TO approach
them officially until this appropriation
was given.
In reply TO n question by Representative
Coombs Oem., n. Y0 he said that one
cf the main objects Of the exposition was
to show our people and those abroad
our ability to compete with Great Brit
ain and Germany in trade with them
Mr. Howell added that II We could Inn
press upon the South American republics
the advantages OF dealing with us. ard
our ability to supply them with goods,
we would accomplish all we wanted. In
doing this we would benefit the whole
country
NEW ORLEANS ENnoRsys IT.
]. ". Labousse. president Of the New
Orleans Cotton Exchange. said that body
heartily endorsed the movement. II We
wanted 10 extend our trade the best way
10 do so was TO show the world what
we could do. The best way 10 DO this
was by an exhibition such rs was pro-
posed At such q gathering foreigners
could consult with our manufacturers
and merchants, and could be shown what
we could do. The great coffee steamers
come 10 our ports. unload. take on "A LOAD
OF cotton for England. and return from
there to Rio and Santos with cargos OF
goods Why should they not be loaded
and returned from our ports? with the
proper announcement he thought that
these results could be accomplished.
: NJ. Inman. Of Atlanta, said that the
proposed exposition would have a ten
dency TO impress upon the people OF
the South the power and dignity OF TINS
Government il would greatly benefit ana
enlIghten the colored people
]. J. Gordon, or Columbus, Ca spoke
OF the railroad facilities OF the SOUTH
The Exposition would largely develop 'he
resources OF the southern States.
coLorED BISHOPS HNDODsS 1T.
Mr.. Howell referred 10 the interest
tal,en in the matter by the colored peo-
ME and introduced Bishop Gaines, OF
the Georgia Coored Methodist Episcopal
church. Bishop Gaines endorsed the
statements Of the speakers before MIN.
Nothing he said, could be brought 10
bear which would be OF more good, espe-
ciallv 10 the colOred race, than the eX-
position. The colored men were not going
to Africa They were American ciuzens'
and intended 10 stay here and help de-
yelop the country. They wanted to bring
exhibits to Atlanta and let the world
see what they could do. They would turn
the light on the bright side Of their race
and show what they could do; the dark
| side had been often shown.
Bishop Grant, of the COlored Methodist
| Church Of Texas, said that those present
knew the colored people and what they
could do. He wanted 10 correct the I'M
preston that they were no good. There
were no strikes In the cotton fields; no
fight between capital and labor. The coll
| ored race was a reserve force. When
strikes were on and men left their places
and the whites came for them, they went
10 work. They did not come here be-
cause they were colored; they came 10
show that they were citizens and what
they could DO.
They came to show that they had near
| " overthrown the whites In the march or
civilization and Improvement When this
was done there was no one else 10 over
take. Gentlemen, we are right after
you. You can bring In your foreign la
bor; they soon play out. But we are
stil here. and we will remain the reserve
force. You have the money; we have the
muscle: we want the money, you want
our labor. Give us a mans chance. and
we will show you the bright side OF the
colored race"
A VOICE FROM ALABAMA.
Professor Washington (colored), OF
Tuscaloosa. Ala. said the future and
.oIyo,top ~ the cOlOred peODle lay In