Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-04
ON THE JAMES RIVER
The Preparations for the Exposition in
1907.

! Washington, d. G., Dec. 3.-Mr Hug,
Gordon Miller, assistant United state
district attorney at Norfolk, is in I'll,
| city comforting with members of III,
Virginia delegation in Congress relativ;
| to the exposition which is to be hell
near Norfolk in 1907 in commemoratior
| of the first settlement at jamestown
! The exposition is projected by the
business men and commercial associ.
atoms of Norfolk, Newport News
Hampton and the other cities near ths
site of historic old jamestown. TT ie
claimed that the jamestown exposition
is the most significant and patriotic
fair at Chicago. 1t is designed to COM
memorate the first settlement Of Eng
lish speaking people in America. While
Virginia is the prime mover, it is ex-
pected that all of the original thirteen
states will take q hand in the celebra
ton.
The exposition is receiving hearty
approval from prominent men through
out the country. Former President
Grover Cleveland has just written to
Mr.. Miller expressing his deep interest
in the project. The letter follows:
After reading the prospectus of the
Jamestown Exposition Company. ana
giving more thought to the project it
has in keeping, | am thoroughly con-
WINGED that the surfeit of expositions
which have somewhat afflicted our
country ought not in the least to inter-
fere with the success of the exposition
planned for the celebration of the first
white settlement upon the domain now
embraced within the limit of the
country we proudly call the United
States.
I'VE have fittingly celebrated the
400th anniversary Of the discovery of
America. The 30Cth anniversary Of the
settlement at jamestown is hardly less
worthy of commemoration. A great
nation cannot bring to mind its small
beginnings, and it's stupendous growth
through such a celebration as the
jamestown Exposition Company con-
templates, without stirring in the
hearts of its people The best patriotism
and the sincerest devotion to the
principles which have made their
nation great. And such patriotism ana
such devotion so completely underlie
American institutions that their sound
ness and strength are absolutely neces-
sary to our strength and perpetuity. 1
hope, therefore, that nothing will be
lacking to make the exposition success
full as an agency for the stimulation OF
our national pride and the increase Of
cur faith in free institutions"
In speaking of the plan of the exposi-
ton, Mr. Miller said:
"a leading feature of the exposition
will be a great naval and marine exhibit
ton in Hampton Roads. We expect to
have the greatest ass2mblage ever seen
Of monitors, battle ships, armored
cruisers, gunbOats, navy and army
transports, torpedo Loats and torpedo
boat destroyers, submarine boats and
every other class Of ship for seacoast
Gefenses or for naval warfare; also 4
great assemblage of private yachts, to-
eether with q large number of launches,
sailing craft of all descriptions. Not
only the ships of our own navy, but OF
foreign nations will be present.
THE Jamestown Exposition Com,
;7any, with the cooperation of the
Association for the Preservation OF
Virginia Antiquities, proposes to rebuild
n considerable portion of jamestown as
it was in Colonial days. In 1907 visitors
may there see a reproduction of the
scenes of the early conflicts and
struggles of the infant colony. Indian
will be located on the outskirts
md employees in charge will be dressed
N colonial costumes.
"A site for the exposition, embracing
$50 acres of beautiful high land fronting
, bout 5000 feet on Hampton Roads, at
rewaIl's Point, Norfolk county, Va, has
been acquired, and the work Of prepar'-
nse it for the erection Of the exposition
buildings will begin as soon as the
1rga niZat ton of the company is effected
according to the terms of the charter
The site selected is by far the best, nov
only by reason of it's accessibility. but
because the world renowned Hampton
Roads offers advantages for marine
and naval displays far in excess of any
oiace on this continent where an EXPOSE
ion has been held
"The determination on the part Of the
to purchase and own IN lee
simple the land upon which the eXposi-
ion is to be held is q departure from
what has been done in the past by other
axnositions. This determination, how
over. has not been taken unadvisedly,
hut with the idea of thereby saving
much that has been destroyed or wasted
nv other cxpositions, securing per-
nanent benefit to the state and safe
Guarding the interests of the stock
tolders. The exposition in its scope
will be international, and it's features
will be historical, industrlal ana haNai'
tn ,IriIIzE PEAT