The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-07
WICHITA is AFTER It
Want the Kansas Semi-Cen-
tenniaI Observance.
WILL BE HELD IN 1904
Topeka the Only Opposition
TO the Peerless Princess.


cided to commemorate its founding as a
territory by the holding of a semi centen-
NAL. which will be an observance Of the
ffteth anniversary, Wichita viii lose no
time in presenting her claims as the
place for the holding of the great expo
sition, which will be one Of the sublimest
events in the history of the Sunfower
State.
The decision to have the semi-centen-
NAL in 1904 was reached at meeting Of
representative 3ansans held at Topeka,
when preliminary work was outlined At
the meeting P. V. Healy was present and
represented Sedgw1ck county by author
ity of the county commissioners. Sam
Amidon who was in Topeka, not as a
delegate, but as a spectator, worked in
the interests Of Wichita. The meeting
was presided over by Governor Stanley,
and the first business after organization
was to adopt the following resolution:
I'm view of the marvellous growth of
our state the wonderful development Of
its great natural resources, and in view
of the fact that no adequate exhibit Of
its products has ever been attempted and
no well directed effort made 70 attract
attention to its progress: therefore, be it
Resolved, That this convention of rep
resentatfVe citizens from all over the
state pledge itself to the work Of secur-
ing a suitable exhibition.
Resolved, That the semi-centennial Of
the organization of the territory of Kan
sas in 1904 shall be celebrated by the
holding of an exhibition to fittingly dis
play the results Of our material growth.
Resolved, That an association be
formed umler the name of the Kansas
Exposition association. with a capital OF
$50 coo, this stock to be divided into 10000
shares of 3 each and disposed of as nav
be hereafter provided by the board of
directors VIII: Oh shall number TWENTY
four members, to be selected BY this con-
vention. We recommend further that a.
committee Of one from each COMPRESSION
al districtsbe appointed at once to pre-
pare an app ucation for a charter and
submit the sa me to this meeting.
1--WE believe that an exhibition such as
this convention contemplates viii be- Of
lasting benefit to Kansas. Il will put Us
IN closer touch with other states: 1t will
bring us many visitors from abroad; it
will add to our citizenship, because it
will provide a truthful exhibit of our adj
vantages- 1t will arouse state pride and
secure a proper appreciation on the Fart
of our own citizens of the great possibiI-
files Of our commonwealth. An exhibi-
ton such as can be made by the united
effort of the people of Kansas will do
much to remove the shrinking modesty
with which the Kansan now refers to the
advantages Of his state"
The matter of fixing a place for the
centennial was deferred until another
meeting, but there was some agitation
10 settle that question there A board of
directors was appointed comprising TWEEN
ty-foDr members, three from each con-
gressional district and three at large
The members OF the committee from
the Seventh district are William Scott,
Pawnee; S. f. Cole, Harper and p V.
Healy. Sedgwiek. The members at iarce
consist of Governor Stanley. wichita;
John Breidenthal. Topeka. and F. y. c.
burn, Topeka The directors are TO form
a permanent association under the pro.
visions Of the resolutions and ask for a
charter.
For this enterprise a quarter OF a nil
ION d, srs is to be raised and the town
thar receives the gigantic undertaking
viii probably donate the largest sum.
The object Of the association was de-
fined 10 be the promotion of immigration.
the encouragement of the agricultural
and horticultural interests of the state.
the Improvement Of the breed of domeg-
tic animals. by the holding Of eXpcsitions
and fairs for the exhibit Of products OF
the state The association will have au-
thority 10 own real estate and buildings,
and to transact all its business through
its officers.
The price Of the stock was fixed at s.
per share. and ]. W. Breidenthal was ap-
pointed treasurer to receive subscriptions
A number Of the delegates subscribed for
stock before the adjournment of the
meeting. Tn board of directors named in
the charter viii be the governing body of
the association. and can call meetings OF
the association at such times as they
may deem proper.
The board was given authority TO cau
for 10 per cent of the stock subscribed
al any time they may need funds 10
carry forward the work Of the assecia-
ton.
The suggested competitive system OF
locating the centennial is a matter that
will he determined later MI HeaIy.
who knows the sentiment among the del
egates. says there are practically but two
probable locations, Wichita and Topeka.
The capital city. as usual. wants it bad.
hut the citizens Of Wichita want il
worse. An effort viii be made to raise
$4,000 by state appropriation. $4,000 by
the townships and counties throughout
the state, and $4,000 or 100000 from the
town securing the location.
As against Topeka there are many rea-
sons why the meEnihcent enterprise
should come here. An argument IN that
favor IS that 81 has better railroad fscil-
flies from the south and west and IS
more centrally located The railroads
running into Wichita r ;ld be interest
ed in setting the centennial The Santa
Fe has more branches in this part ~
kansas than at Topeka. and can bring
more people direct 20 the city There Is
no question but that Wichita IS the most
pubHc spirited and enterprisin< city in
the west, a fact that has been demon
stratei many times before. Other s=tc al
atvef o~sS ara aces ? taking carr