The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1904-05-07

H LATE MCKINLEY
Who Invited the. Nations to the Fair.
architectural skill and constructive
ability the consummation was made
possible, To them it was a personal
triumph which called forth the most
fattering encomiu,ns from visitors of
all classes, more particularly those
who have had 10 do with former ex-
positions.
The writer has seen the evolution OF
the universal exposition, beginning
with that held in Hyde park, London,
in 1851, whose sponsor and principal
promoter was Albert OF SaXe-Cobnrg
and Gotha, the prince conSort OF the
late Queen Victoria of Great Britain.
The magnificent Crystal Palace, con-
structed entirely of iron and glass, de-
signed by Joseph Paxton as an. elabora-
ton of ordinary horticultural build
ing. and which secured for its designer
G. baronetcy, was a wonder in its day.
which, however, was soon ecllpsed by
similar enterprises in other parts OF
the world until the height of exposition
constructive skill was supposed TO have
been attained by the Worlds Column
bian exposition, in Chicago, in 1893. 1t
remained for St. Louis, with the iusty
spirit of the young twentieth century,
to design and bring into being a
giant, beside which all previous efforts
of similar character appear as plgmles'
With a site ideal in character for the
purpose, and with the best Of the ar
chitectural ability of the country
brought into requisition, an ensemble
of exhibit palaces has been evolved
which, while utilizing a variety in de-
sign has produced a general erect that
evokes universal admiration. This IS
what the Louisiana Purchase EXPOSE
tion Co. has worked for; this is what
it has accomplished, and this is the
reason they feel like hugSiag one an
other in the exuberance of their JOY
over the success of their efforts.
An Ideal Day.
Had nature been called upon to make
a day to order for the inauguration OF
the Worlds fair she could rot have
produced a nor perfect specimen than
that which dawned on April ~. A
cloudless sky, a gentle breeze and an
ideal temperature combined to make
1t lust right for outdoor ceremonies,
and while the weather sharps predicted
showers for evening, they failed to ma
terialize. so that The day ended as it
began, a perfect one, enabling those
who assembled to take part in the
opening round out the day with
out n unpleasant experiences OF
pleasure marred by rain.
Early Saturday ii began to be In evil
dence that the attendance was what II
later proved to be-a record breaker
for worlds fair opening days. 81.
Louis had taken a holiday by official
proclamation, and East st, Louis had
followed suit, and from early in the
morning, thousands who imagined mat
4he TRANSFORMATION facilities would be
heavily taxed later In the cay. maze
their way to the fair grounds, which
were open for their admission as early
as eight o'clock. Every incoming tram
brought its quota Of out-of-town VS.
itors. and the westward stream was
n that showed little subsistence nntll
after shutdown; indeed, 1t is said there
were fully 10000 admissions after SIX
O'clock in the evening. OF
the attendance during the day were
varied, running from 100000 to a quar-
ter of a million. The actual attend
ance. according to official estimate
will come withia 200,0 o0, which shows
a new first day record, ina
at Philadelphia being about lSo.-
GOO, and Chicago, something oVei
1877, 900. The grounds, however, are
so vast. that a million people migh
be within the gates without CAUSING
any unseemly crowding except, per
haps, around some special attraction
The great throng was Thoroughly
good-natured, seemingly bent on max
ing the best of a glorious day, the ma
1ority having in mind their experience
n the corresponding day last year OF
the occasion Of the dedication cere'
monies, when 1t was SO disagreeaois
cold. The only discordant note wa
from the few to be found in every
great gathering who seem to think ina
.if everything is not done for their per
sonal convenience they are not gettlht
their moneys worth, or the other ley
who will always persist IN trying :
push their way into spaces or place
reserved for officials or their inVits'
guests.