The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-24
NOW FOR ST, LOU|SI
North Carolina Has Led Every
Southern State at Former
ExposItionS.
Col. iyireII in Raleigh to Talk in Favor OF
Nori, CsroIina's Erecting State
Building at ST. Louis.

sioner of the Louisiana Exposition Com
pany for North and South Carolina, Del
aware, Maryland, Virginia and West Vir-
ginia, is in the city. The exposition VIII !
be opened in st. Louis in May, 1904. and 1t
is on the cards to make it far surpass
the Worlds Fair at Chicago
Col Ayirell was Director General OF
the Charleston Exposition and is an eX-
pert in holding eXpositions, in promoting
them, and all who came in contact with
him found him a gentleman of the high
est capacity and character He made
warm friends of all who were interested
in the North Carolina exhibit at Charles
ton, end they were glad to see him again
in Raleigh.
81 hope to see North Carolina well
represented at this exposition" said Col.
Avirell. ct made magnificent display
at Charleston, and at Chicago. l have
been gratified, in talking with leading
citizens of North Carolina, to find an
earnest desire to have this State properly
represented at st. Louis
Col. Avirell has sent a letter to every
member of the Legislature upon the inn
portance OF North Carolina S being we'll
represented at the exposition. 1t is as
follows:
Saluda, ~ c., Dec. 20, 1902
To the Members CT the General Assembly
of North Carolina:
Having been appointed by the manage
mcnt Of the Louisiana Purchase EXPOSE
ton Company as their Special Commls>
sioner, 10 present the project of this
Greatest of Worlds Fairs to be held
in the city OF st. Louis, Mo, in 1904 TO
the consideration of the people of North
Carolina, and to secure a representation
there by the State of its various indust
tries. resources and possibilities. Recog-
nizing the fact that this can only be Sc
cured through the action of the Legisa-
ture this paper is given to the press for
the purpose of placing the matter fully
before you so that it may receive your
careful consideration. and thus enable
you to act intelllgently when the subject
comes officially before you.
A brief account of the origin, plans and
scope of he Greatest Of Worlds Fairs
ever held will not be out of place.
Projected by the citizens of st. Louis for
the purpose of celebrating the One Hun
dredth Anniversary of the purchase of
the Louisiana Territory from France it
has received the endorsement of the gem
vitcd the nations of the world to take
part in the exposition, and Congress has
appropriated s. 900 900 for the purpose OF
showing to the world the workings Of all
the departments of this government and
the progress made within our borders in
all lines during the Nineteenth Century
The approximate estimate of cost of
the exposition, to the opening Of it's
y x-i~.i 4o.,r- 9 n l0
The leading governments of the world
will participate. And all States and ter
ritorcs are invited TO take part. and there
TO show to the millions of visitors their
respective advantages industries and re-
sources, and in so doing. attract the at
tention of the capitalist. investor and
home seeker, who will be in attendance,
spying for the best opportunities. the
fields of fairest promise and the most
ineXhaustible resources.
When we consider the rapid, yes. phe-
nomcnal improvements on every line in
the Southern States during the last
| twelve years, and that North Carolina
holds no mean place in that great era Of
prosperity is ii not proper that the State
should strive to go still higher in the
development of its great resources, and
present them for the inspection of all at
ST. Louis. More capital and increased
population are needed to accomplish the
desired end.
An exposition is an object lesson. which
presents in an attractive way. all The
resources and possibilities of a country,
material and otherwise and in every in
stance it has proved The most success
; fol power known in bringing in wealth
and increased population.
| North Carolina was the first of the
Southern States to Systematically or
ganizc for the development of it's great
possibilities. and that it had faith in the
| Benefits to accrue from patronizing expo
sitions has been shown by its represen-
| tation at Vienna in IS. Atlanta in 81.
! Boston in 'S3, New Orleans in 'S5, Chi
| cago i'll 90, Paris in 1900, and Charleston
| in 1902 Shall the record be broken now,
or will you firmly take stand and at this
| Greatest of Worlds fairs ever known,
show by the exhibits of the States posi-
hilitics. that it proposed to place North
| Carolina foremost in the ranks Of the
! southern States
Virginia that has never before partici-
pated by exhibiting its resources, has
appropriated $50, 900 for a creditablc rep
| rcsCntation ct st. Louis. South Carolina
| has an appropriation that will be in
| creased to $4,000 Alabama has appro-
priated $4,000 Georgia is expected to
raise a similar amount. and in fact it is
| assured that all the Southern States will
| be in evidence at the exposition.
In bringing this matter to your attcn-
| ton, gentlemen Of the Legislature. you
arc asked to do nothing that docs not
come within the line Of duty: nothing
| but what will utirately ana most surely
reflect credit upon your august body, moth
/ ing but what will rebound to the inter-
| est of your State. Decide that North
| Carolina shall be represented at ST. Louis
and your action will be considered one
| of true wisdom, and as positive dcclara-
| ton of your intention to set an example
| OF progress and to keep pace with the
movements of The age. Build up your
state and assure for its people triumph