The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-15
VIEWS OF TIMES READERS

i, to realize that they are crude attempts
compared with Expositions held in Phila-
delpha, Chicago, and Buffalo Far be
it from me to criticise the splendid
cour& sc and energy shown by the South
orn people in undertaking and executing
these EXpositions, but try as we may
we cannot disguise the fact that they
We're all second-class shows. l, for one,
should regret exceedingly TO see the
Jamestown celebration made the occa-
sion for another second-class Exposition.
And are We prepared TO undertake an EX
position of the first class? The cost Of
the Fau-American. which was not a large
Exposition. exceeded s10,0100No. Is there
any prospect of our being able to raise
this vast sum of money? True, Congress
is asked for ten millions, but We cannot
expect the National Government TO pay
the entire cost of the show. Congress
is certain to demand that Virginia put up
an amount at least equal TO Ill"ir grant.
We are a people without mile of inn
proved public highway. without an art
gallery or museum. with but one public
library, with a number of starving pub
lie schools and colleges, with thousands
of country children clamoring for an
education which the State is too poor
u SANt tiltiii, anu W W. OF ~ -7tN''>'
millions on a show that will last six
months OF course. the argument NAV
be advanced that an Exposition will ad-
vertise the State and bring il foreign
capital. but ! feel sure that a tirst-class
system of public highways and q first
class system of country schools will do
more TO attract capital than dozen En-
positions.
Even g~antinS tat we have sufficient
money for the undertaking. the propriety
of another Exposition may we'll be Qaes-
toned. The American public has been
treated to a continuous performance IN
the way Of ENposiuons: Philadelphia
New Orleans, Chicago, Atlanta, Nash
vile. Omaha, Buffalo. and Charleston
have each had their turn, st. Louis is
soon to follow, and the State Of OREGON
is in line Must we, too, join this appar-
entity endless procession? Would it not
be better for us to attempt something
dirercnt@ The settlement at jamestown
marked a new era in the worlds history;
then let its three hundredth anniversary
mark new era in the celebration of his
;oric dates. The Exposition business IS
certainly oyerworked. and now IS a splen-
did opportunity to show that some other
form of celebration is possible.
But if not by an Exposition how may
we celebrate this historic date? | leg
leave to suggest that we erect some last
ing monument, something that may be
handed down to future generations Of
yireirians For example. raise money
sufficient to acquire title TO Jamestown
Island and such part of the adjoining
mainland as may be necessary 10 form
a large public park, in which suitable
monuments may be erected to the heroic
people who founded our State and coun-
try. The cost of such an undertaking
Will he well within our means and the
result far more satisfactor than an In
nosition. This park should be made S
beautiful as the means will permit. and
should be made accessible by good roads
to the nearest town or city. 1t should.
OF course, be opened with appropriate
ceremonies in 1907. There is every reason
10 believe that the National Government
will contribute literally to such an UNI
Gertakinc. and the total cost would not
amount to one-tenth the cost of a first
class Exposition. The idea of opening
with appropriate ceremonies a national
park, in which handsome monuments
have teen placed to mark the historic
spots in and about Jamestown. appeals
to me as being in far better taste than
an EXPOSITION. possible of execution at
less cost, and as furnishing an enduring
monument and pleasure ground for our