The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-02-19

The personnel of the party is as fol-
lows: Gurdon w. Watues, president OF
the Mississippi and International
exposition and vice-president of the
Union National bank Omaha; Gilbert M
| Hitchcock, proprietor Omaha World
of promotion, Trans Mississippi EXPOSE
! ton; John L. Webster, prominent at
| torney and a member of the exposition
board of directors; Henry T.. Palmer,
police commissioners; William s: Pop
| pleton, attorney and banker; Clement
! Chase, editor Omaha Excelsior.
The Utah legislature had been apprised
by communication from the governor, of
| the expected arrival of the Omaha dele
cation, and both houses mad decided, by
/ resolution, to meet last evening IN Joint
| session for the purpose of receiving the
visitors. Nearly all of the senators and
representatives attended the session and
gave the closest attention to the enter
tanning addresses delivered by the expo
sition commissioners.
HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR.
Speaker Perkins of the house presided
over the session and introduced his excel
lency, the governor, who delivered short
address of welcome to the visitors. He
was glad. he said, to welcome such dis
tinguished guests. Although Utah is
known as the beehive state, which would
indicate that her people are always as
busy as bees, they were never too busy
10 welcome ana entertain the NlSllOIS
within their gates. AS to the great I'M
dertaking represented, he thought 1t
nigh time that the states on this side of
the Mississippi river made a showing
highest position in the United States,
the highest position in the world, pointed
his pudgy finger to the west and charac-
terized the states of the west as undesir-
able states, then the time had come for
Showdown If the west had been
hiding her light under bushei, she
should kick the bushel off. Utah's first
duty was to her own semi-centennial cele-
bration, but something could be spared
for the Omaha exposition, and, in the
inspiring words of an old Democrat, he
was for the old flag and an approprla-
ton
The governors remarks were heartily
applauded.
C. NJ. HITCHCOCK.
His excellency then introduced Mr.. G.
NJ. Hitchcock, manager of the department
of promotion of the exposition: MT
Hitchcock IS a graceful and effective
speaker and presented his subject in an
interesting way. The idea of holding
great Mississippi exposition had
originated at the eighth session OF the
Trans Mississippi congress. held at
Omaha in 1895. The resolution providing
for this exposition was introduced by
man who had since become famous
William Jennings Bryan. (Applause-)
The speaker and his associates were
here to present a plain business propo-
sition. which they believed would appeal
TO the judgment of the legislators and
receive from the state the endorsement ii
had received from Kansas, Nebraska,
Wyoming and other states. The east was
sadly ignorant of the west, and at times
he was inclined to think 1t was viciously
prejudiced against the west. They brand
us because we are situated in part of
the world they know practically nothing
about. Because we have had panic,
because of the depression in the east. We
can command the attention of thousands
and millions of discontinued people in the
east who can at this time be made to see
the advantages of the west. The bene-
fits derived by other sections of the coun-
try from Expeditions recently held were
set forth. and it was represented that
the Omaha project already had behind 1t
more than twice the funds at the COM
mand of the Midwinter fair at San Fran
cisco and more than four times the
amount that was available for the At
lanta exposition. 1t had greater finan-
cial backing than any exposition ever
held in this country, except the Phlla-
delphia centennial and the Worlds fair
at Chicago.
I'VE do not ask you to contribute aid
to u.s. said he. in conclusion, but We
invite you to share the profits of our en-
your taxation, but to bring more people
to your state to help you to bear the
burden of your taxes.
CLEMENT CHASE.
Clement Chase. who was next intro
duced. paid a high tribute to Brigham
Young and the Mormon pioneers. He
spoke of the marvellous development or
this region. which was at one time deslg-
mated upon the maps as a great I'M
known sea, and later as the great Amer
lean desert. and many OF the people OF
the east still believed our western cit,es
were in close touch with the Indians. buff
falo prairie dogs and snakes. The Omaha
exposition celebrates no centennial but
great achievements. one of the greatest of
which was the founding of this common
wealth.
PRESIDENT OF THE EXPOSITION.
Mr.. Gurdon w. Wattles, president of
the exposition. delivered a forcible and
convincing argument on the Dement'S that
would accrue to the commercial interests
of the west from this exposition. This
region had made great strides in DoDula-
ton and wealth during the period i'm
mediately following the panic of 70. The
panic of SO had followed. and now we
had reached a hating period. This ex-
position is not an Omaha affair, but It
was inaugurated by great commercial
body representing all the trans-Missis-
sippi states, and the resolution that gave
II birth was seconded by a distinguished
citizen of Utah-Hon. George O. Cannon.
The projectors had raised over s6OOOOO.
and a bill had passed the lower house of
congress apprOpriating $2OO,OQ0 for ma
tional exhibit Nebraska's legislature
would give s2500OO. and a bill appropriate
ing $4,000 was pending in the Illinois
legislature. The purpose was to adver
tise the resources of the west, and ii was
believed it would result in a great flood
of immigration to the trans Mississippi
states. "I know" continued the speaker.
that Utah is a state of magnificent re-
sources but these resources are not
known abroad and this is a gDlendid OPP
portunity to let these facts be known to
the whole world"
In closing he referred to the fact that
the exposition would be located near the
old camping ground of the Mormon
pioneers. known as winter quarters
JUDGE WEBSTER.
Judge John L. Webster made a short
and very vigorous address. describing i'll
a general way the exposition scheme
had spoken fol- the 70 s-Mississippi
states. for 20.000000 of people and s25,-
900 900. 900 worth of property. Judge Web |
ster described the magnificent plan and
scope of the exposition and mentioned
some of the many features.
MR. PoPPLETON.
William S. Poppleton spoke briefly and
expressing high appreciation |
tended by the Utah citizens. which he
believed was significant of Utah's SYM
patty with the exposition project The |
time was ripe for the vest to get to- /
gether. and make an exhibition. backed |
by the resources of the entire west which |
would attract the attention of The world. /
II was not money-making scheme but |