New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-02
TENNESsEE's CENTENNIAL


until the subject had been considered fully and
the Exposition decided to be worth trying fos.
The Commercial Club held meeting to discuss 1t.
and, as n result of this meeting James NJ. liead,
then owner of 1.-THE American" had an article
written in that paper formally proposing that the
celebration be had In the manner since carried out.
After the appearance Of this article The Ameri-
can" solicited the views OF prominent people In
Tennessee and In other States. and II met with
favor everywhere. The Governors OF the Southern
States Endorsed the idea, and the press OF Nash
VILE and Of the rest OF the South freely Endorsed
the movement worthy OF adoption AS
consequence Of the enthusiastic reception with
which the suggestion was received. the various
bodies Of the city OF Nashville decided on calling
State convention Of all mercantile and business
bodies and all other organizations and individuals
desiring to participate and to have the enterprise
formally inaugurated as a State affair, II the con-
vention should decide.
This convention held on June 10. 1894. ana
the Tennessee Centennial Exposition was launched
as q State institution. Nathaniel Baxter. jr, Oh
Nashville rls elected president with vice presi-
dent from each section OF the state ana a: w.
Wills elected director general sixteen depart
ments were decided upon and directors elected 10
10 work. and much favorable comment was mace
by papers everywhere. The raising OF the neces-
sary funds was begun and some private suDsGrip,
OF Davidson. In which Nashville Is situated, yoted
subscription Of $4,000 70 the stock Ime sfnI tns
present The women enlisted at the STATE CONVEX en-
tion and they. too. have never fdltered IN tne
work. They had their plans ready by the pesh-
ming of 1895. ,
But the work Of raising the funds proceeded slow,
IT, and when the State Legislature refused 10 al9
In celebrating the anniversary Of its existence an.
Congress adjourned without making the wished-tor
appropriation. 1t looked little gloomy But INA
the turning point for the enterprise Inc peo
in the exposition then determined that, II no one
else would help they would pluck G%a
vailed and many who had doubts OF the fcas-
It. 4 reorgariza ton was effected. ard many new
c cn fg' the S M re1 RSncr for time
President j. W. Thomas Of the NashViine Sna,
tanocga and ST Louis Railway was tnally induce"
to accept the presidency OF the exposition, re one one
pon;ed an Executive Committee Of men every one
~ whom was a tower of strength. Major T.. g..
Lewis was made dl! ector-general and Major A. w;
wills commissioner general The people i Mcdc
ton The work Of obtaining subscrrS n res,,It
pushed and despite the hard times, the result
we're astonishing. The City Council or NashVlIle
showed the general interest Dy Hdh'ES " N''' ''
rhn exposition originally planned for the fall OF
1sqs was of necessity postponed untl tniS ytal p
hlitv of getting ready for really creGl'ao', ~
: MOO tho DoStponemcnt every week naS duleu w
he irSmensity Of the undertaking. Inc hunlne.,
~ main buildings has doubled. and sill inc heal!
t. ~racc was not fully supplied. The interest a.
arst shown by the press of tho country mas never
IA god and the work OF the bureau OF fupIlcltN
inforration which the leading PAPERS OF the coui.
49,, rrn,,'rad The last session of the LegSlature
rated $50 Coz and Congress, after seeing t o
cxent Of the success ALREADY attaiheu ga ~ In
ltoa a Of an exhibit. The gates open on a
nillion-dollar exposition This Is IN aduItUn 10 IF
appropriations made by ' dsrays and by other
n,,ins ard states for special buildings.