The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-15
WORLDS FAIRS.

Worlds fairs are becoming so fire.
quent that it looks as though the
worlds inhabitants might soon be able
to witness preparations for a number of
such events going forward at the same
time Two years before the opening of
the Paris exposition of 1900, the propo-
sition is made to hold a universal expo
sition at St. Louis in 1908 to celebrate
the Louisiana purchase.
1t is notable that almost If not quite,
without exception, each succeeding
event of this kind so far in the worlds
history has been bigger and more ex-
pensive than its predecessor. If the
pace already set is to be maintained,
St Louis will find herself with a ire
mendous undertaking on her hands.
In discussing the matter editorially,
the Globe Democrat says:
The first practical steps toward the
suitable observance of the centennial of
the purchase, during Jefferson's admin
Astration, of the Louisiana province
from France have been taken. Mr.
Bartholdt has introduced a bill in the
house of representatives to authorize
the holding of an International EXPOSE
ton at St. Louis in 1903 This will be
the hundredth anniversary of the Lou
isiana acquisition, and the exposition
is designed to commemorate that event.
The purpose of the bill is to have the
affair held under the auspices of the
Missouri Valley International EXPOSE
ton association; to have it open to ex-
hibits from the rest of the world, as in
the Philadelphia exposition in 1876 and
IN that at Chicago in 1898; that such ar
ticles, if dutiable shall be admitted free
as in the two other instances named.
and that, as in those cases, an endeavor
shall be made to illustrate by exhibits
the natural resources of the country
and the tastes, capacities and activities
of its people.
That the event to be commemorated
is worthy of the observance cOntem-
plated by this bill every intelligent per-
son in the United States believes The
acquisition of Louisiana was by far the
greatest achievement of JeffersOn's ad-
ministratiOn. 1t will make his presi-
dency nlUstriOus throughout all time
The glory which it sheds upon his name
DIS as bright and as lasting as that which
is cast upon it by his authorship of the
Declaration of Independence. From the
beginning of its life as a nation onward
until 1903 the United States comprised
only the region between the Atlantic
and the east bank of the Mississippi, an
area of S2S 600 square miles. The Lou
isiana acquisition added 1,172,0O0
square miles to it's possessions, more
than doubling its area, and gave it
about two thirds of it's present terrific
~ west of the Mississippi, the rest of it
being obtained subsequently from Mexi-
CO. except in the case of Oregon and
Washington, which were gained through
discovery, settlement and treaty with
England
Louisana's acquisition settled at once
the burning issue of the navigation of
the Mississippi, made the country's ex-
tension to the Pacific inevitable. and
put the United States in a conspicuous
place among the great nations of the
earth.
Everybody believes, of course, that
St Louis is the proper place in which
to hold the exposition. It is the largest
city in the Louisiana territory, and it is
nearer the geographical center of the
country than any other great town In
its facilities for quick and frequent
communication with every other point
an the country no other inland city ap-
proaches it except Chicago. which is
outside of the Louisiana district. The
sentimental reasons for holding the eX-
position in St Louis are REINFORCED by
Important practical considerations. On
both grounds the claims of St. Louis
for the honor of being the Louisiana
exposition town are so numerous and
so obvious that they will not be serl-
ously challenged anywhere. The date
of the centennial is five years distant,
but the work of arranging for the al
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