Omaha daily bee., 1897-12-23
COLORADO MAY HAVE FAIR
Proposal that an Exposition be Held
In Denver in Four Ncnrs.

DENVER Colo, Dec. 22.-(Special.(-A
movement has been started here for the hold
ing OF an exposition in this city in honor of
the twenty-fftf anniversary OF statehood in
1901. George NJ. Meschke. secretary of the
Colorado commission of the Transmississipp
and International Exposition, is the prime
mover in the affair and has associated with
him some influential men of the city and
state. 1t is proposed to hold the exposition
in Denver from June to November, 1901, in
elusive. Speaking of the plan, he said:
Colorado will celebrate her twenty-ftth
anniversary OF statehood in 1901. Probably
the best and most fitting way of celebrating
the event would be to have an eXpositicn
showing the advantages and resources OF
this great state, and invite all other states
| in friendly competition of her arts, manu-
| factures and the products OF the soil and
| mine, and further by making its scope inter-
| national as well as national and induce for
| eign countries to enter and exhibit TO the
| world the range of human progress during
the nineteenth century. This is one plan.
| Another, which may be more popular with
| the public would be to confine the scope OF
| the exposition to the unlimited resources
| of the state, showing step by step the prog
ress of a western state, until it has
| achieved that which but few years ago
would have overshadowed the fondest dreams
| apd hopes of even the most sarguine and
| imaginary visions of its Staunchest friends
| and supporters.
IAN exposition of its mineral development
| alone would be enough to insure the most
attractive display OF its kind ever made. 1t
| would overshadow all previous efforts in
cluding the display at the Worli's fair. 1t
| would open the eyes of the country, nay, Of
| the world, to the fact that Colorado stands
| foremost in the ranks OF the greatest MIN
| era countries
| "Our agricultural wealth. also would be a
surprise to the people who seem to think
that with the end of mining Colorado would
be compelled to close up shop and move to
Klondike. Then take the third of our great
resources, the culture OF fruit. What enor-
nous proporticns the horticultural Interests
will have assumed by 1900. Even such an
exposition by itself would be a success
This is but brief outline OF what can be
done. Now where and how can 1t be ac'
complished?
"Denver, The Queen City of the West,
like Rome. an empire in itself, looms up witt
, outstretched arms and bids all welcome Th
freedom of the city is offered to all. Is ther
] a grander place to build an exposition thai
our City park, and why not leave there as
I monument one building OF substantial char
r acter to be used for O museum. in which ca
Z be stored the best exhibits OF this exposition
the cream OF the prize winners-
s San Francisco has demonstrated the pos
e sbility OF such an undertaking, and toda
q there stands the reminder of that great MID
T winter fair as an inspiration for futur
: generation, a museum built by the people
and with their money. visit to San Fran
cisco would be incomplete without seein
). that museum What San Francisco has don
Denver can do, and on grander scale.
l. These two propositions present 20 th
public for their consideration; beth will hav
r their supporters; let the majority rule. B
h making the exposition international in cha
A acter. Colorado can no doubt receive the ean
- benefits San Francisco had of drawing tn
. best exhibits from the Worlds fair. so ca
?. We receive from the Paris exposition in 19C
d the best OF all displays there. BY making
a. a Colorado exposition we can to better az
lie vantage show our own resources and abilit
N and perhaps receive greater benefit tha
Is otherwise. At all events. let us celebra
m the event in such a manner as to draw II
re attention OF the whole world to Colorado"