The Republican journal., 1901-06-27
AT THE PAN-AMERIcAN EXPOSITION

Monday morning none of the dele
gates to the National Editorial Asso-
citation were visible about Statler's
Hotel, the headquarters; but soon after
breakfast l was interviewed by two
men from the Hot Springs, Arkansas,
who were soliciting votes for holding
the 1902 meeting of the n E. A. in that
place. They were F. C. Stearns, Presi-
dent, and c. F. Cooley, Secretary and
Manager of the Business Mems League
of the Hot Springs; and they were
hustlers. When l said l was from
Maine, Mr.. Stearns quickly responded
that he was Maine man himself-an
Oxford Bear; and that he had always
taken his home paper. That settled it,
and at once pledged my vote and in
fluence in behalf of the Hot Springs,
and was adorned with handsome
badge in blue and gold to, which was
suspended Hot Springs chrystal.
That badge and an occasional introduc-
ton brought me in touch with the
whole Arkansas delegation, including
their young lady editor and publisher
in whom they feel just pride; and all
extended hearty greetings to the man
from Maine. How those fellows did
work! The hotel was transformed into
a picture gallery, and all the pictures
were of the Hot Springs. Illustrated
booklets, badges and chrystals were
lavishly distributed, and those who did
not wear Hot Springs badge were the
exception. Ashville, n. c., also want
ed visit from the Association in 1902,
but the North Carolinians were not in
it with the hustlers from Arkansas,
and the modest circulars they put out
attracted little attention.
Having the day before me l decided
to spend it in general survey of the
Exposition, and entered by the gate at
the rear of the hotel. Before leaving
home / had said that what most want
ed to see was the sloop Spray in which
Capt. Slocum had sailed around the
world, and | had not gone far from the
entrance when l saw the craft before
me, Unfortunately she was moored in
the stream and | was unable to go on
board. The pictures given of her are
very accurate and those who have seen
them will readily recognize the famous
little craft. She was under the yawl
rig with which most of the cruising
was done, and while evidently stanch
and strong is not at all yacht-like in
model or workmanship. Capt Slocum's
narrative of his cruise originally pub
lished in The Century Magazine and
later in book form, is one of the most
attractive books | ever read, and in
boyhood days it would have been close
rival of Robinson Crusoe. l first heard
of Captain Slocum a dozen or more
years ago. He was wrecked on the
South American coast and out of the
materials saved constructed an odd
looking craft in which with his family
he voyaged northward. Later his boat
was exhibited at a Maritime EXPOSE
ton in the Mechanics Institute, Boston,
where it attracted much attention. Per-
haps later visitors to the Exposition
may have the privilege of boarding the
Spray and interviewing her skipper.
Parts of the Exposition grounds were
found in an unfinished state, and from
the looks Of the ground the mud caused
by the long continued rains must have
rendered work well nigh impossible.
The only really important building un-
completed was the Art building, and on
this, as on other structures, work was
progressing rapidly. The Honduras
building was opened during our visit.
The Exposition as whole is well sum-
med up in the following paragraph from
the Philadelphia Press:
The achievement that impresses every
beholder at the Pan-American exposi-
ton at Buffalo is not the aggregation
OF exhibits OF home ingenuity or world
WIZ Niio AuSCC1, ouC VIC ttLldZlIlS triumph
OF American art that the general scheme
of grounds and buildings represents.
This grouping of buildings, their design.
their color decoration, the application
OF sculpture on an opulent scale to set
Off buildings, loggias, colonnades, foun-
tain basins, gateWays and esplanades
really make up the exhibition.
This, however, omits mention of what
most visitors to the Exposition will
pronounce the browning achievement
the electrical display. But paragraph
cannot do it justice. Senator Chauncey
M. Depew says it is the grandest sight
sle ever looked upon. Ex-Governor
Francis of Missouri, president of the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition, says it
is worth going thousand miles to see
Many others have spoken in terms fully
as enthusiastic. For this grand display
5.0oO-horse power electricity is received
at the Exposition by cable from the
great power plant at Niagara Falls. |
did not attempt to count the lights, but
was told by another visitor that there
are 100000 of them. l should say that
is under rather than over the actual