Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-31
CHICAGO-sOUTHERN EXPOSITION.
Enthusiasm in Preliminary Work.
Plan of Enterprise.


CHICAGO. ILL, January 3O.-Local
capitalists, businessmen, public officials,
and prominent citizens generally. have
taken an enthusiastic interest in the pre-
liminary work for holding a general ex-
position Of southern products and re-
sources in Chicago during next September
and October.
The preliminary Committee on Organi-
cation. which has just been formed. is
headed by William A. Giles. and assoc
ciated with him are eight prominent citi-
zens. including Colonel Henry l.. Turner.
commander of the First Regiment, ILL.,
nois National Guard. who made trium-
phal entry into the South during the At
lanta Exposition.
This committee of the Chicago Southern
States Exposition Company will assist
Mayor Swift in the work OF bringing
delegations from the South. and getting
similar delegations from Illinois to meet
together in Chicago February 18th; also
to obtain full information regarding the
exposition building, its rental, the cost
or conducting the exposition from now
TIL It's opening, and from It's opening till
its close, and other information for the
benefit OF the Exposition Committee
Mayor Swift, on his return from Florida.
will send official requests to the
mayors of the principal cities in the
thirteen Southern States. asking them TO
forward to the Governors of their re-
spectiye States requests for the appoint
ment Of five commissioners from each
State as delegates TO the Chicago meet
ing. Petitions signed by the citizens OF
these fifty-three cities to the same effect
will accompany the letters OF the mayors
to the Governors.
10 Is proposed to have the same num-
Der OF delegates 10 represent Chicago.
At this meeting steps will be taken 10
incorporate the Exposition Company. and
the necessary stock will be subscribed for
II has been estimated by Malcolm Nc
Nell. secretary of the Chicago and
Southern States Association, and secre-
tary of the preliminary committee that
less than 100000 will be needed for the
exposition. and that handsome surplus
Will remain In the treasury after all ex-
penses are paid.
There will be no dividends. however
the decision having been reached TO give
to charity any surplus OF receipts over
expenditures. including the repayment Of
the money subscribed.
Chicago citizens will take half of the
stock. and the remainder will be SUBJ
scribed for by the thirteen States par
tcipating in the exposition, or as many
States as join hands. Chicago will bear
The expenses Of a preliminary character
and pay for the building, etc, while the
southerners will be expected to pay for
the transportation, Installation and care
of exhibits. II Is proposed TO present all
the lon-perishable exhibits at the close
10 the Field Museum as the gift OF the
Southern States to Chicago.
The plan proposed Is that the president.
vice-president general manager, assistant
general manager, and secretary of the
exposition shall be Chicago men, as the
southern promoters Of The project so de-
sire. and that a directory composed Of
one member from each OF the Southern
States be chosen, with the same number
from Illinois. IT Is expected that each
SAlthern State will be represented by a
Nice-president of the company. who will
be chairman Of the State commission.
The names of Potter Palmer Charles
Counselman. Harlow " Higglnbotham
president of the Worlds Fair, Ferd W
Pike. and eX-United States Senator
Charles b. Farwel have been presented
for president. and that % David X. Hin
Of the Wilioughby & Hill firm. for gene
raj manager