Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-06-05
TIE PRESS AND WORLDS FAIR
Address Delivered by r. Il. White Of
the Mexico Ledger Before the
Northeast Nc. Press Associa-
ton at Warrenton, May "a.

tude OF the Missouri editor toward the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition; and
while some Of the thoughts l present
are not original / feel that they are
pertinent TO the matter under con-
sideration.
l take 1t for granted that the edi-
tors of Missouri are particularly and
peculiarly interested in the success Of
the grandest and most comprehensive
exposition ever attempted. Editors
everywhere are turning their eyes in
the direction OF ST. Louis, and, as you
all know, there Will be a worlds con-
gress Of editors in that city during
the exhibition, which win be the
greatest gathering OF newspaper men
ever known In the historyof the world.
st. Louis is the metropolis OF our
State, and this, to a very large extent,
is Missouri exposition, a home en-
terprise, and every citizen in the
State viii be proud OF its success, but
none more so than the editors, who are
always in close touch with every
movement which tends to advance
the best interests OF this grand old
commonwealth.
Missouri editors are famous for
their patriotism and loyalty to home
institutions and home industries and
will be found working In and out OF
season to bring grand results to the
State from this exposition.
The chief object Of this great enter
prise is not to make money, but to re-
veal and advertise some Of the re
sources of this State. We want the
world to know something about what
we have in the grandest state in the
Union and every citizen and every
newspaper man in Missouri will be
proud OF the enterprise and will par
ticipate in the glorious results.
The relation between newspaper.
and expeditions is very close. The late
President Mckinley in his last public
address coupled expositions with the
press when he said; "Expositions arr
the time-keepers of progress. They
record the worlds advancement. They
stimulate the energy, enterprise anC
intellect OF the people, and quicker
human genius. They go into home
They broaden and brighten the daily
life Of the people.
They open mighty e-houses Of in
formation to the student. Every ex
position, great or small. has helped t
some onward step"
At a banquet Of newspaper men II
st. Joseph, last November, Walter B
Stevens, the distinguished Washing
ton correspondent, who Is now abb
conducting the secretary's Office OF thi
Louisiana Purchase Exposition, re
spending TO the toast, "The World
Fair and the Press, said; "Perhapl
IL might better be, The Press and thi
Worlds Fair In a sense this Worldi
Fair is the creation OF the press. A
newspaper man suggested it as th'
only fitting way 10 celebrate the cen
%tennial OF the greatest event II
American history since the singing Of
the Declaration Of Independence, ant
the newspapers advocated il years be
fore the movement assumed practica
form"
Had 1t not been for the Missouri
press-ths country press Of missouri
II you please, the Worlds Fair woult
never have been born, and after it
birth it could not possibly have passed
the teething period without the unit
ed and enthusiastic support of thu
newspaper publishers Of Missouri.
My authority for this statement
comes from Governor David r. Fran
els, president OF the Exposition Co. II
a speech before the summer meeting
Of the Missouri Press Association Gov
Francis said;
II desire to express, on behalf of th'
Louisiana Purchase Exposition Co.
and also for the people OF the city 0.
st. Louis, vi very deep appreciation
Of the assistance that has been render
ed this Worlds Fair movement by the
press Of the State Of Missouri. If the
constitutional amendments submitted
10 the people Of the State at the cleo.
tiOn last November had been adopted,
this exposition would have been aban.
dOned. II 1t had not been for your
assistance, so ably and 50 timely rem.
dered, those amendments would not
have passed. Therefore we feel that
we are under great obligations to the
press OF Missouri"
When the history Of the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition is written there
viii be inscribed upon It's pages for the
people Of the world to read untll eter-
nifty, these pleasant truths. The Mis-
souri, press gave life to the greatest
educational and industrial exposition
in the history OF the world. Is that
not something TO be proud Of.
IL is a monument Of everlasting
glory to the wisdom and progressive
spirit that dwelt In the minds Of the
newspaper men Of Missouri at the be-
ginning Of the Goth century. Who is
there among the newspaper men Of
this State to-day that would have that
page OF history blotted outs Not one
Of them. And yet ] have heard Of a
few newspaper publishers who seem in
clined 70 view the Worlds Fair as a
commercial enterprise, and who, while
they will share with all their fellow
members Of the Missouri press In the
millions Of dollars worth Of afYertfs-
ing and industrial benefit it will be to.
their home State, still appear TO want
some financial reward In advance.
"We supported the constitutional
amendmentSs they sag, and We ask
ed no pay for that, but now that the
fair is on Its feet we think the man.
agers Of the enterprise ought 10 ap-
propriate out Of their treasury some
money TO pay US for printing. That is
not practicable.
The exposition is not a private c0rpo-
organized for the purpose Of
making money for It's stockholders.
The people Of st. Louis subscribed for
IS ZOO, 900 worth Of its capital stock and
not one Of the subscribers ever expect
10 get one dollar Of the principal hack,