The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1900-07-21
VOLUME XLvI.
THE paN-AMERIcAN EXPOSITION.



ro the People Of Mississippi;
The Pan-American Exposition to be
,sld at Buffalo from May 1st to No
vember 1, 1901, is intended to celebrate
the achievements of civilization during
one hundred years of development in
the Western Hemisphere. This exposi-
tion in many respects will be superior
10 auv ever held in the United States.
There is scarcely doubt in the mind
of any intelligent person that the Mica
rauga canal is an assured fact, and It's
construction is only question OF time,
The opening of this trans-isthmian way
will revoutionize the commerce OF the
Western Hemisphere. At present the |
limited States gets only about II to Is |
ner cent. of the foreign trade of the |
forty millions of people South of us, |
whilst Europe gets the other So to SO |
per cent; and this in the face of the |
fact that these people are our neigh
bors. These people need our products. |
Mississippi has several hundred mil
lions of dollars worth of the best build |
ing timber in the world-long leaf pine
and hard woods. She also produces a
million bales of cotton per annum, and
we are now entering upon an era of
cotton manufacturing. 1t is safe to
predict that within the next twenty-five
years, the greater part of our cotton
crop will be manufactured in the. State.
The close proximity of the cotton fields
to the factories, and the factories to
the population just south of us. will
give us such advantages as to defy all
competition from European and East
ern manufacturers.
1t is Important, therefore, that Missis-
sippi should be fairly represented at
the Buffalo Exposition. To do this
will require money. The legislature
failed to make an appropriation for this
purpose, although asbill was introduced
and favorably reported for that pur-
pose.
His excellency, the governor, at the
request of the exposition company to
appoint two commissioners to represent
the interests of our State, conferred
that honor, usought, upon General w.
II. Henry and myself. General Henry
writes me it will be impossible for him
to serve, and that hs has rendered his
resignation. So far the governor has
not appointed another to take his
place. In fact without funds it is not
necessary to appoint another, and if
funds are not supplied 1 shall myself
follow General Henry's example and
resign the empty honor. But l am
deeply impressed with the fact that
Mississippi has rarely, If ever before,
had such splendid opportunity to
show to advantage and profit her
matchless resources, SO little known,
understood and appreciated by the
outside world, and indeed, largely by
her own people, as Is offered by the
PanAmerican Exposition, and l am
willing to undertake the Hurculean
task, if the public-spirited people of the
State will furnish the necessary funds.
The plan for raising the fund is to
have cities, towns, villages and COM
munities, each to pledge given sum,
and have a record kept of the same, and
ask the legislature to refund the amount
with per cent. interest.
1t will require at least $780, but a
larger sum could be more judiciously
expended.
The Gulf & Ship Island railroad com
pany will lead off with $1,000, the en-
terprising little city, of Laurel follow:
with $1,000, and Hattiesburg with
another 81 900. With this beginning
there ought to be little trouble in rails
ing the requisite amount.
will give bond with or through
some security company to be approved
by the governor for the faithful appli
cation of the money.
A brief outline of my plans and pur
poses, (if the necessary fund is raised
should be given for the information o
those who are expected to contribute
to this fund, since there is no law defin
ing the duties of the commissioner.
1st. shall have handsome head
quarters building for Mississippi erecte'
on the grounds, not to cost less thai
$4,000, into which all our building
woods shall be worked, but prominenc
will be given to our yellow pine. Thi
building will be designed by one OF tn
most competent architects in the South
I'd. The resources of our State, G
climate, of soil, timber and water, ou
navigable waters and railroads, ou
eleomosynary institutions, our free pull
lie school system, colleges and univei
stiles will be collated, and properly j
lustrated and published in an attra'
tive form.
Sd. A collection of agricultural pre
ducts of the State. manufacterd pre-
ducts, works of art, handiwork
needle and brush, literary and musics
productions of Mississippi authors an
composers to be catalcgued and place
on exhibition.
All this will require large corps
assistants who will have to be LIBERAL