The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-17

Suggestion t hat the State Should
Be Represented.

Cass Gilbert, the architect, thinks
Minnesota should be represented at
the worlds exposition to be held in
Paris in 1900 Mr.. Gilbert's idea is GER
talnly a sensible one that the exhibit
should consist of maps and charts,
showing the topography and resources
OF the state in that manner, rather
than the more cumbersome and costly
display of actual products. 1t is to be
hoped that the legislature will appre-
c1ate the matter and take steps to car
ry out the project. Mr.. Gilbert's plan
is embodied in a letter to F. L. Schur-
meier, president of the State Imnigra-
ton association, and is as follows:
March II, 1897.
Hon. T. L. Schurmeier, President Mime
sofa State immigration Association, St.
Paul, MINI.
Dear Sir-I wish to call to your attention a
subject which 1 believe to be of Importance
to our people and the business interests Of
this state, and which 1 think comes within
the scope of the immigration association, viz. /:
that the State of Minnesota should be thor
oughly and properly represented by ade-
quate exhibit at the worlds fair in Paris in
1900
1 perhaps need not call to your mind the
varied resources of this state, and the great
desirability Of bringing them prominently to
the attention of people, not only in this cOun-
try but abroad. Our vast agricultural inter-
ests, in their various branches, the dairy and
stock interests which are attaining such
notable Importance; our rich mines and valu-
able quarries; our great forests and lumber
industries; not to mention our growing cities,
and their many commercial enterprises should
be properly represented by an exhibit of such
character as would command attention in
this great exposition.
The exhibit should comprise large maps of
our state, indicating the natural resources
of the various sections of it, Typographical
maps of our principal cities, large models Of
our important publici buildings and other
municipal improvements, harbOrS, mines rail
road facilities and other matters of general
interest, as well as the objects which are
. customarily exhibited, all of which would
show not only our natural resources, but
the advancement in material prosperity and
CIVILIZATION attained b your people, and would
tend to induce the investment of capital and
the immigration of a class Of persons who
would become most desirable citizens. AS
this exposition will be attended by millions of
people, among whom will be many Of the
citizens of our own country, as well as the
most intelligent people of Europe, no better
opportunity could be had to show the re-
sources Of the state.
Such an exhibit should be comprehensive
and complete, and this can only be accom-
plished by taking ample time to arrange all
it's various details, and would be attended,
undoubtedly by considerable expense.
AS such an exhibit would be for the benefit
of the whole state, it would seem proper that
it should be fostered by the state govern
ment, and that the legislature now inssession
should be called upon to appropriate a
sufficient sum of money and appoint a suit
able commissioner or commissioners to carry
forward this important work. Inasmuch as
the next session of the legislature does not
occur until 1892 If the matter were deferred
until then there would be insufficient time
to prepare proper exhibit-moreover, all the
more desirable space in the exposition will
have already been disposed of. It appears,
therefore to be important that the matter
should come before the legislature in
session, IL at all, and believing that such
exhibit as l have in mind would forward
the objects of your association more effective
ly than could be done in any other way,
would urge that you give this matter your
early consideration, and If it meets your
approval have it brought before the legisla-
ture as soon as practicable.
am confident that this idea will meet the
cordial Endorsement and cooperation of our
public spirited citizens in the state.
Trusting that it will receive your favorable
consideration and that you will take the
initiative in forwarding this matter, 1 remain,
yours respectfully,
CASS GILBERT.