The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-10
GREAT CHANCE FOR GEORGIA.
THE STATE MUST MAKE 4 GOOD
SHOWING AT CHICAGO.

Every County Urged 20 Raise Mt
Least 500 for the Purpose and
Every City of 10000 Inhabitants
Like Sum-EnthusiHStic Speeches
Made by Gov. Atkinson and Editor
walsh at the Convention 40 start
the Ball Rollins.
Atlanta. Ca. April 9-The convention
called by Gov. Atkinson in the interest
OF Georgia's representation in the South
ern States exposition at Chicago, which
opens in August and lasts until Septem-
Der next. met in the chamber of commerce
to-day and was called TO order by Col
r. T. Nesbitt, commissioner of agricul-
ture.
Delegates were present from many OF
the important cities and towns Of the
state Macon and Augusta being repre-
scented by especially large delegations.
A good deal Of enthusiasm was manifest
ed and steps We're taken by forming
the convention into a permanent organi-
cation to be known as the Southern States
Exposition of Georgia, which will, in
all probability, result in the sending of
most creditable exhibit to Chicago. Ten
thousand dollars, it is estimated, viii be
required for this purpose, and ex-senator
Walsh Of Augusta, who is the originator
of the idea, and the principal figure in
to-day's convention, is confident that with
the promising start given the enterprise,
that amount will be easily raised.
Commissioner Nesbitt was made perma-
nent president, with Maj. r. J. Quinn Of
this city as secretary. Both are active
workers. and will keep the movement
pushed along at a lively rate from now
c. E Harmon of Atlanta was made
treasurer.
a vice president for the association is to
be appointed in each congressional district
and various committees are PROVIDED LOT
with a view 10 creating a general inter
est in the undertaking. In his address 10
the convention explaining the movement
and urging that Georgia should take ad-
VANTAGE of it. Mr. Walsh said that Chicago
had made an offer to the south that for
hberality had never been beaten. chicago
proposed TO erect such buildings as would
be necessary for the exposition ana bear
all the expenses, If the southern staes
would only prepare their exhibits and de-
liver them there. There is less sectional
feeling now, he said, than there had been
in years and all other conditions augured
we'll for such undertaking. chicago
had made liberal offer and Georgia
should be at that exposition with an ex-
hibit that would be second TO none. III
the business men of the state would put
their shoulders TO the wheel this could be
Mr.. Walsh spoke Of the cotton manufac-
turing interest of the south and showed
briefly how this line Of business had an
creased in recent years. This, he said
was natural and these interests would con-
1inue TO increase and If properly adNer-
1ised other resources would increase rapi-
dly in development. He said there was
enough coal in Alabama alone to supply
the world for more than 100 years If not
another bushel was mined in any country.
Mulberry Sellers or Munchausen could
not eXaggerate upon the advantages OF
the south. They would beggar them
selves " he said even If given a year to
The Cotton States and International Elk
position, he said, was revelation to thou
sands of people right at home, which
showed that 1t was necessary to adver-
tise the south abroad as thousands of good
people knew nothing of il and considered
il merely a geographical expression. They
imagine II the home of malaria and over
run with the brother in black. The west
had increased its population and it was
caused by advertising. The south had
made no effort to increase immigration.
There was enough granite in the belts of
Georgia TO pave the streets in every city
and town in America, and enough marble
undeveloped in the state to build palaces
for the rich of the world.
In conclusion, Mr. Walsh said Georgia
must not be blind TO her interests, but
must be represented at Chicago A half
dozen other southern states have already
made ready to be there, and Georgia could
not afford to miss such an opportunity.
Short addresses were also made by Gov.
Atkinson and Mayor King. The latter said
that contrary TO prediction and expecta-
ton, the late exposition had left no bad
effect in its wake. but instead there was
more building and other improvements go
ing on here now than ever in the citys
history. This showed the evidence Of the
exposition, and was an argument in IA
vor of Georgia being represented at Chica-
go. Atlanta, he pledged, would do her part
in the undertaking.
Gov. Atkinson was as earnest and en-
thusiastic as Mr.. Walsh in advocating the
Chicago enterprise. He wanted to see the
south's commercial independence achiev-
aprf1r
direction if taken advantage of.
RESOLUTIONS were adopted accepting Chi
Cages proposition and calling upon each
county to appropriate at least 500 and
each city or town of more than 10, GOO in
habitants to subscribe another 800 or more
10 the fund.