The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-10

II Will be Held From June Chtii -NoSeHnOet
in the Year of Our Lord Eighteen Hun
dred and Ninety HI sht. and 1t Is Intend
ed tn Make 1t an Exhibit OF All That
Part OF the Country West OF the Missis-
sippi River-Aid is Asked of Congress in
the Shape of Appropriations for Carry
ing on the Work Mapped Out.
Omaha. Neb, March 9.-John H.
Wakefield. secretary OF the Transmits
s:ssippi Exposition TO be held in Omaha
from June 10 November. 1898 has issued
The following:
The origin OF the Mississippi
Exposition OF ell products, resources.
Industries and civilization of the states
AMI territories west Of the Mississippi
river, embracing two-thiTds Of the area
of the United States, 10 be held in Oma-
ma, beginning in June and ending in
November in the year 1898. is owing 10
this resolution unanimously adopted by
q rising vote Of the Trans Mississippi
Commercial Congress al is eighth an
nual session IN this city during the
month Of November last.
Whereas, We believe that an expo
sition of all the products, industries and
civilization of the states west of the
Mississippi river. made at some central
gateway. where the world can behold
the wonderful capabilities of these
wealth producing states, would be OF
great value. not only 10 the TRANSMITS
sissippi states, but 10 all the home-seek
Frs Of the world. therefore.
Resolved. That the United States
Congress be requested TO take such
steps as may be necessary TO hold a
Trs Iissisippi Exposition at Omaha
during the months OF August, Septem-
Der md October in the year 1898. and
that he representative OF such states
and te rritories in congress be request
ed 10 f ,vor such an appropriation as is
usual il, such cases. TO assist in carry
ing out this enterprise.
In reg ard 20 the Mississippi
congress. it is composed of the leading
and repre- sentative men Of all classes.
profession and business interets of the
AIississipp Z river, who assemble stat
ed perio / to discuss measures for pro-
noting the commercial and meterial
welfare of the region they represent,
and racoI 1nend such measures as their
Judgment dictates to thenational gov
eminent he states and the people for
adoption. It is representative in its
capacity. !'he delegates being selected
10y the val 'ious commercial orSaniza-
lions and IN people of their respective
states and I erritOries. 1t Is advisory
in character. and its discussions are
mainly on any subject, national or To-
cal. bearing upon the welfare of its
constituency. Its membership is gen.
eral being Iinlfted to no particular
element. and men Of all shades of opin-
ION can mingle and fraternize freely,
acting with the sole purpose of upbuild-
ing the western half of the North Am
erican continent lying within the
boundaries of the United States west
Of the Mississippi river and extending
70 the Pacific coast, including the Terri
tory of Alaska.
This region embraces nineteen states
and five territories, or more briefly,
twenty-fOur states and territories of
this republic. As showE further along
lis resources are limitless, its wealth
enormous. and its population equal to
pne-fourth of the entire country.
These states and territories are, as
they have been. increasing rapidly, and
reliable estimates indicate that certain
sections are capable of supporting TO-
coo. 900 people without crOwding, still
pursuits and homes.
This problem presented itself to the
congress at its session in Omaha, and
during the discussions, official and I'M
official, among the members, the queS-
ton arose, as TO the best method of i'm
pressing these facts upo the people Of
the United States and other nations,
and the best manner in which the ire
mendous resources. wealth and posi-
bilities of the Mississippi states
and territories could be made known to
the people Of the world. The enOr-
nous wealth and increase of the cOun-
try west of the Mississippi. as well as
the Mississippi valley states, were con-
coded in a general way. The rapid
growth of its principal cities, like Oma-
ha. Lincoln, Council Bluffs. Sioux City,
Des Moines. Dubuque. Burlington, Da-
venport. st. Louis. Kansas City, St.
Joseph. Wichita. New Orleans. Calves
ton. Dallas. Portland, St. Paul, Mime
apolis. Helena. Portland, Tacoma, Sc
attic. Salt Lake San Francisco Los
Angeles. and Denver, with Chicago and
Nllkwauaee and numerous manufacture
irtE Cart7rS on the east dependent upon
them. were universally admitted. but
the powerful forces at work creating
these communities and adding TO their
prosperity. s we'll as the states wherein
they are located. were not appreciably
considered. To supply this needed III
formation, as we'll as to attract the fur
Iher attention OF all persons seeking
homes. and avenues 10 improve their
fortunes. as We'll as investing capital
lists, was the desire of this congress.
In the discussions among the men,
hers, the suggestion was made that as
To- AL -, a.
Central States at Chicago in 1895. the
South at New Orleans and Atlanta.
had held exposirions Of their resources
wealth and development. by govern
ment aid. i was due 10 the twenty-four
states and territories west of the Miss
issippi river 10 have a similar eXpoSi-
iion, which should he second only in
magnitfcence 10 the Columbian ENposi-
ton at Chicago in 1898.
The next point was 10 decide upon the
most central location. convenient alike
10 the people Of the East. the West. the
North and the South. BY reason Of the
vast system Of its railway mileage sN-
tending 10 all parts of the contiuenti lis
salubrious and genial cHmate.and the
well known enterprise Of its people
Omaha was unanimously selected bv
The congress Is the location for the Elk
position, as expressed in the preceding
resolution.
That Omaha is in the midst Of a large
population and OF great wealth Is PROV.
ed by drawing a circle having a radius
Of 900 miles. q which this city is the
center. The line interSects and covers
fifteen states east and west of the Ms
sissippi. and the territory Of Oklahoma
The people living in these states and
territory number 2o.4S5.9SS according
u The census af 1890. ar increase OF
h.-e2,l59 IN ten years. They possess ar
aggregate wealth OF S2S.576.5S6. Ss7. -
increase in the same period amounting