Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-06
VIRGINIA AT ST. LOUIS.
Pertinent Reasons why State Should
BE Represented

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition
Company is especially DESTROYS of having
Virginia .worthly represented at the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and to
that end l beg to lay before you few
pertinent reasons why the Legislature
should make an appropriation OF not less
han $4,000 for this purpose.
Virginia is the central thought OF the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition. through
jefferson she was the conspicuous flSufe
II, the purchase. Jefferson's name Is in
:.lssolubly connected with the transfer OF
the title to this vast domain from france
10 the United States; we are bound oy
the closest kindred and social ties; your
pioneers settled our State; Virginia names
are conspicuous throughout the entire his
DRY of The purchase and in fact had not
Virginia played the conspicuous part she
id in the opening and upbuilding OF this
territory, the history Of the United States
might be a different story from what 1T
IS.
Because the Louisiana purchase was a
je:fersonian idea, the Exposition Com
rany has determined to accord Virginia
most prominent and desirable locations in
he great exhibit palaces for her products
If the soil. mine, forest and sea, and
Exhibit of arts, industries, and nlanufac-
lures.
OF the Importance of having the State
Wel-representcd from a commercial!
standpoint you are the best judge.
believe the result will be immensely pro-
fitabe to the State. Arkansas, Texas,
louisiana, mississippi. Georgia, Mary
and, and South Carolina. of the South
arn States. have awakened to the fact
hat the tide of immigration is turning
hJro r1
lions. West Virginia has pledged herself
o make liberal appropriation when the
Legislature meets this winter. and the
same is true OF North Carolina, your
leighloocing State on the south. Ken
lucky on the west. is raising 100000 by
private subscription Mssissippi's appro-
>riation is $4,000, and is the first that
state has ever made for an exhibit at
my exposition. The average of the ap-
2ropriations made by the Southern States
IS between S50,OJu and $4,000.
In addition TO the foregoing. there are
number Of reasons, from a purely local
standpoint. why the General Assembly
should make this appropriation. Briefly
enumerated, they are:
First. and perhaps foremost, is the
great advantage which will accrue to the
State by having a complete geological
survey made by the government forces,
The world of the vast and apparently
,,exhaustible mineral resources which.
V:rginians know the State contains. By
passing what is known as the Bowman
Dill. the State Exposition Commission
treated thereby will have authority to
AXE up this matter with the director Of
he United States Geological Survey.
and I am safe in saying that DR.. Wolcott.
he director will act favorabiy. The
communication of but day or two ago
o the Governor from Chief Clerk Rizel',
the Geological Survey. suggesting the
enactment of such legislation as viii.
enable his men to pursue their work I'M
aampered. indicates that the proposition
will be favorably reviewed. Virginia has
nad 10 survey in recent years and the
government report will be of inestimab!e
value in advertising the mineral possibili
ties of the Commonwealth. The idea is
to have the main points of the report in
corporated in a small pamphlet and dis
irbuted by the State Exposition Com
mission beside your mineral exhibit at the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition. This
will be feature probably no other State
will have and alone should attract sufti-
cient capital and population to the State
20 compensate for the appropriation
asked.
Another point in favor of this appro-
priation for an exclusive industrial and
commercial exhibit as provided by the
pending bill, is that approximately nine
tenths of the complete exhibit can be
preserved and brought back to Virginia
for permanent exhibition. Exposition eX-
Ierts agree in saying this is but fair
proportion of an exhibit of this nature
that can be preserved
Prior to 1907 should the jamestown Ex-
position project succeed the exhibit can
be enlarged and elaborated and used as
the Virginia State exhibit there, and at
any time thereafter should Virginia wish
to exhibit at any exposition mere appro-
priation of $4,000 to $4,000 to add the
perishable products to the exhibit and
ray for its transportation. will insure
$4,000 showing and a magnificent one at
that In the event also, that the James
town Exposition be a success, it is prac-
tcally matter of necessity as we'll a s
principle that Virginia be adequately re-
presented at st. Louis Not to have an
exhibit under these circumstances. with
the other States of the Union represented,
l fear would simply mean that many of
the States would be inclined to refuse to
be represented at Jamestown and that
enterprise be the recipient of a bad set
back generally.
Yours very truly.
ALLEN Y. COCKRELL.
Representing Louisiana Purchase Expo
eff