The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-03-04
SOUTH CAROLINA At ST. LOUIS.
The Columbia Chamber Of Com
merce Takes Up the Work
Which the Legislature Laid
Down and Starts a
Movement for The Representation of this
State al St. Louis.

Columbia, March AT the month
ly meeting of the Chamber of Com
merce here tonight First Vice Presi-
dent Norris presided. At the outset
letter was read from Col. J: H. Averill
In this letter Col. Averill said:
The General Assembly meets again
in January, 1904; the Exposition
opens its doors May / of that year.
There will not be sufficient time then
to prepare and collect the exhibits,
assuming that the House Of Repre-
sentat tives acts favorably in the mat
ter. Are the people of South Caro-
lima willing to let the matter rest, to
let the State be one Of the few, if not
the only one, that will be absent at
that great gathering, or will they
boldly take stand and decide that
South Carolina shall be represented
at this greatest of eypositions? In
this age of competition States as well
as individuals must advertise to the
world their resources and advantages,
or be left behind in the race for
supremacy. In the long run it is the
survival of the fttest which deter
mines results, but the fttest may long
lag behind for lack of proper publicity.
I know of,no better channel through
which to present this project to the
people of the State than through the
medium of the Columbia Chamber of
Commerce, and respectfully ask of
your board careful consideration Of
the matter
Col. Averill was invited before the
board and outlined two plans Of action
that suggested themselves to him,
speaking earnestly and plainly.
The following resolutions were then
offered by Mr.. E. B. Clark and IN
animously adopted:
Whereas, the matter of the State Of
South Carolina being represented at
the st. Louis Worlds Fair by an ex-
hibit of the Industries, resources and
advantages of the State, the General
Assembly having failed to provide an
appropriation for that purpose, having
been brought to the attention of the
board of directors of the Columbia
Chamber of Commerce; and
Whereas, we are Of the opinion that
the State should be fully represented
at the said Exposition by compre-
hensive exhibit of its many resources,
and that the business interests of the
State should at once unite on some
plan of action for securing the desired
sexhibit: Be it, therefore,
Resolved, That committee of five
be appointed by the president, who
shall prepare and issue, through the
medium of the press and otherwise,
an appeal to the officials of all muni-
cipalities, officers of corporations, the
press, business men and citizens Of
the State generally, explaining the
case fully, soliciting their aid and CO.
operation in carrying the project
through, and that they be requested
to express their views in writing to
the secretary.
Resolved, That the said committee
shall also consider the ways and means
for securing and installing said ex-
hibit and report results to the quar-
terly meeting of the Chamber of Com
merce on Monday, March 9, or to this
board as soon thereafter as possible.
The secretary made a full report as
to vigorous work done to secure the
location as near Columbia as posi- bic
of the colony of French Canadians
which desires to settle in South Caro-
lima. The Office has secured many
offers Of desirable tracts at most rea-
sonable prices.
An earnest letter from Mr.. NJ. Y.
Richards in regard to immigration and
Southern development was read in
this connection and referred to the
committee on agricultural industries
and promotion.