The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1897-01-08
Trans Mississippi and international Ex-
position.

bNO anu d hdil lAlllIOn Sd uhte h1llCo.
with an aggregate population of nearly
%, 0Oo, 600. They represent fully TWEEN
ty billions of wealth. They are the
great granary of America, and contain
all the gold and silver mines of the
United States. besides deposits of iron,
copper, lead, zinc and other minerals
of incalculable volume and value.
They embrace furthermore, the great
est bodies of tim Der on the North
American continent, as well as a large
portion of the cotton belt, and all Of
the sugar producing lands within the
boundaries of the union. The railroads
within the Trans Mississippi states ag-
gregate 65, 600 miles and the navigable
waterways include the greatest of
American rivers-the Mississippi, Mis-
souri, and the Columbia.
In the Worlds Columbian exposition
of 1893 the exhibits of the TRANSMITS
sissippi states were ~overshadowed by
the exhibits of foreign countries. Of
the millions who passed through its
gates, comparatively few carried away
with them a distinct impression of the
productive of that vast en-
pire. The purpose of the projectors of
the Trans-Mississippi exposition is to
acquaint the nation and visitors from
other countries with the fabulous
wealth and stupendous possibilities of
the greater west.
THE INITIAL E
This Exposition had its origin in res
olutions adopted by the Trans-Missis-
sippi Commercial Congress of 1895,
formulated in the following declara-
ton:
Whereas, We believe that an exposi-
ton 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
great wealth-producing states, would
be of great value, moi only to the Trans
Mississippi states. but to all the home
seekers in the world;
Therefore, Resolved, That the United
States Congress be requested to take
such steps as may be necessary to
hold a Trans Mississippi Exposition at
Omaha in the year 1898, and that the
representatives of such states and ter
ritories in Congress be requested to
favor such an appropriation as is usual
in such cases to assist in carrying out
this enterprise.
AN ORGANIZATION EFFECTED.
Preliminary steps to carry out the en-
terprise contemplated by the resolution
were taken by the citizens of Omaha
early in December, 1895, when a tenn
porary organization was effected, look
ing to the formation OF an association
that would assume the task of fnan-
ciering and managing the Exposition.
On January Is, 1896, articles of incor-
poration of the Trans Mississippi and
International Exposition Association,
signed by 100 leading business and pro-
fessional men, were fled with the Sec
rotary of state. The authorized capital
of the corporation is 81, 0OO, 600. divided
into shares of stock OF $40 each. Its
government was vested in a board of
directors. eleven in number, who were
to elect a president, vice president, sec
rotary and treasurer. Each of the
Trans Mississippi states and terrific
ries was to be represented in the gov
erning body by one of the vice presi-
dents, commissioned by the governors
of their respective states and terrific
ries.
RECOGNITION BY CONGRESS.
Before the work of organization had
been fairly entered upon, Senator Allen,
on January 3, 1896, introduced a bill in
the United States senate granting the
Exposition recognition by congress as
N IN torStofa and intarno tInna evnnSj.
ton, providing for the admission of for
eign exhibits free of duty and pledging
the United States TO expend not less
than S250,000 for a government build
ing and exhibit. 4 similar bill was in
troduced in the house by Representa-
tive Mercer. These bills were finally
consolidated in conference at the close
of the session, and the bill authorizing
$500, 900 to be expended for a federal
building and a government exhib-
it was signed by President Cleveland
before congress adjourned in June. An
additional appropriation by congress Of
$500. 900 will be asked for. and as many
of the senators n congressman repre-
Seating western states have pledged
their support, it may be considered as
assured.
Among the conditions embodied in
the bill was the provision that not less
than S250,00o N bona fde subscriptions
ana donations must be secured by the
Trans-Mississippi and international Ex-
position Association before the federal
appropriation became available. This
requirement has been complied with.
The amount of stock subscriptions and
donations to the Exposition Association
now exceeds $500. 600. and it is conf
IDENTIFY believed that it will reach the
maximum OF one million within nine
ty days. The largest single su bscrip-
ton so far registered is from the Bur
lington railroad. amounting to $50, 600. |
The other railway companies whose |
lines enter Omaha have promised to
make equally liberal subscriptions at
an early day.
STATE ALL. |
The legislatures Of but two states
met in 1S95-Iowa and Louisiana. The
Iowa legislature made an appropriation
of So 0 for preliminary work. and
assurances were given by prominent
public officials of Iowa that a liberal
appropriation will be made during the
special session that will convene in
January. 1897. The Louisiana ierisla-