Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-20
AN ASSURED SUCCESS.
Chicago Will Furnish the Money and the South the Products for the Coming Ex-
 position.

Chicago. III, Feb. 19.--An exposition of southern products, natural and manu- factured, will be held in Chicago this fall, merchants, manufacturers and capi- talists of this city agreeing to manage and finance it, while the southerners in- terested will furnish it and deliver ex- hiblts free of cost to Chicago. This was the decision of the special committee ap- pointed by the delegation at the Palmer house this afternoon. The committee met immediately after adjournment, and after several hours deliberation decided to so report to the convention when 1t reassembles tomorrow.
 Bankers, merchants, manufacturers, capitalists, journalists and men promi- nent in southern public life came from all states in the south last night and to- day in large numbers to officially repre- sent their states and cities at the conven- tion, which will organize the exposition enterprise. The delegates were filled with enthusiasm, and did not even say unkind things about the weather, which was down to zero, and aggravated by a piercing wind all day.
 The states of Alabama, Georgia, Ten nessee, Florida, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Caro- lima, Maryland and Texas were repre- sented at the opening session, the largest delegations being from Georgia and Ten nessee.
 Among the morning arrivals were Gen. Charles Thurman of Nashville; John H. McDowell, the Tennessee peoples party leader; Charles D. Mitchell of Chatta- nooga, vice-president of the National Manufacturers association; Mai. John McCann, the flame miller' of the Cum berland company; Captain H. c. Ward, U. s. A., Nashville, who was appointed tC 1pAl tary features of the exposition; Theo- dore Cooley, chairman of the art depart ment of the Tennessee centennial, and A. M Wells, commissioner-genera of the Tennessee centennial
 The delegations came to the Palmer house parlors, reserved for their use and after registering spent the morning hours In social intercourse or business talk with fellow delegates from Chicago or the south.
 George W. Zeiss of Texas was the first on the ground with an exhibit. He brought up camples of canaigree root, which resembles the sweet potato very strongly and which grows in the western part Of the state, but thrives in a much more profitable fashion near the gulf of Mexico, where it is being cultivated. It's product Is the tannic acid of commerce. ana the Texans are proud of it. Along Wlth the canaigree comes the ramie a nbrous production, from which textile fabrics may be made with a profit.
 While the delegations were arriving and being welcomed by Chicago's busi- ness men, eX-Confederates and Grand Army veterans, preliminary commit tee held meeting to outline a plan for submission to the convention
 At o'clock the delegates assembled Tor business. Chicago being represented py many prominent citizens named by the mayor.
 A cordial welcome was given the vis- 1tors by Corporation Counsel Beale in the absence of Mayor Swift, who is con fined to his home with grip.
 Hon. Patrick Walsh of Augusta. Ga. was elected chairman; Malcom McNeil Of Chicago secretary and Howard H stafford of Augusta assistant secretary Chairman Walsh thanked the corpora tion counsel for his welcome and made few remarks calling attention to the great resources of the south and the ben efts to be derived from making an ex- hibit of them to. the western people. It was resolved that a committee con- sisting of one delegate from each state and ten representatives from Chicago be appointed to decide whether it was an opportune time to hold an exposition as proposed, and if so, to present a plan for putting the scheme into operation. The committee appointed by the chair men is as follows:
 Chicago-W. F. Halliday, William A. Giles, Gen. Charles Fitzsimmons, E. M Lawrence, W. A. Alexander, Malcom Me- Neil, John D. Scott, William H. Harper Col. Henry Turner, Postmaster Wash ington Hessing.
 From the South-B. l.. Dulaney, Ten nessee; T. s. Plowman, Alabama; w. J. Andrews, North Carolina; E. l.. Roche South Carolina; D. B. Dyer. Georgia; T. P. Crasty, Maryland; W. W. Stone, Mis- sissippi; W. P. Rolph. Kentucky; w. A. Simmons, Florida; Morris Schwa- nd Gaic
 resolution was adopted inviting all railroads to send delegates to the con vention.
 Colonel Turner, commanding the First regiment. Illinois national guards, in- vited the delegates to attend reception and dance to be given tomorrow night at the First regiment armory to the del- egates by the Chicago citizens and reg imental officers.
 The convention then adjourned to meet tomorrow morning a t 10 o'clock, when the committee will report.
 H. N Higginbotham called on the southerners last evening and spent sev- eral hours talking the matter over. Banker Burum of Augusta says the pres ident of the Columbian exposition has promised his hearty cooperation
 Horace Tucker who was chief of the department of admissions and conces- sions at the Worlds fair, took an active interest in welcoming the delegates He Is mentioned as likely manager of the exposition.
 The southern states were represented by the following delegates
 Alabama-E. T. Meyer, Mcntgomery: T. s. Plowman, Sidney J. Bowie, of Tal- ladega; H. s. Nichols of Alabama City. George F. Cater and James c. Sproull of Annston.
 Fresh bread and candy made daily af Y w r0du,c 1QOn e.,