Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1905-10-20

The Lewis and Clark Centennial
Exposition is no more. The big FAIR
came to an end at 70 o'clock Saturday
night with exercises appropriate to
the occasion. The attendance on the
closing day exceeded all expectations,
$1,000 people passing through the
turnstiIes between morning and mid
night. The same orderly and quiet
behavior that had prevailed through
out the entire Fair period character
lied the closing scenes, and no acts of
rowdyism occurred to mar the
solemDity of the hour. AS the final
Good Night" was flashed out, the
big crowd turned slowly toward the
gates, pausing reluctantly to take
farewell look at the great buildings
that have been 80 universally admired
by visitors from all parts of the world.
Then came the booming Of cannons
in final salute, and the most sue
cessful fair in the history Of the world
was at an end
Volumes might be written in praise
Of the Portland Exposition, and even
then the story of its success would not
be told. Viewed from any standpoint
financial, commercial or artistic, it
has far surpassed the expectations of
its most sanguine supporters. Con
sidering the comparatively sparse
population of the Pacific Coast states,
from which the chief support of the
enterprise was drawn, the figures
representing the total attendance seem
almost impossible of belief. When
the Exposition was opened in June,
no one predicted total attendance Of
more than 100000, and many people
placed their estimates at less than
100000. The total attendance was
1854, 1886. 1t will not be difficult to
remember those figures Chicago,
st. Louis, Omaha fade into insignif-
canoe, population of surrounding
territory considered, when one con-
templates the proud record made by
the Portland show.
1t is hardly necessary to add that
this success was made possible only
by the loyal and enthusiastic support
OF the people Of the entire Pacific
Coast region, the generous recognition
extended by the Government, and the
neighborly assistance Of the great
states east Of the Rocky Mountains.
The Lewis and Clark Fair, though |
far removed from the center Of wealth |
and population in the United States,
was in every respect National in its
scope and character.
Second only to the loyal support of
the people Of Oregon was that accorded
by the enterprising people Of Wash
ington. California and Idaho. Port
land pointed the way, and our sister
states were quick to grasp the oppor-
tunity afforded to bring their resources
and advantages to the attention ofthe
Eastern homeseeker and investor 1t
is pleasing to reflect that our sister
states will reap almost as great bene-
fits from the Fair as will Oregon her
self, as "A reward for their enterprise
and cooperation.
The Lewis and Clark Fair was ably
managed, and no cry Of graft has
been raised against any official con-
nected with it. President Goode,
Secretary Reed and all other officers
have served the stockholders faith
fully and efficiently, while President
Myers and his assistant state COM
have guarded we'll the
interests Of the taxpayers of Oregon.
The Lewis and Clark Fair is one of
the few great National expositions
that have paid all expenses aud left
cash balance in the treasury.
There is no denying the fact that
the Fair has made money scarcer in
the country towns than it otherwise
would have been, and that the bust.
ness men Of Portland have profted
accordingly. But such is the in-
evitable result wherever great Fairs
are held, and it is only reasonable to
believe that such acondition Of affairs
will be but temporary. The adver-
tising that Oregon has received
through the Lewis and Clark Fair Is
greater than all the publicity the state
has received in the past from all
sources combined, and the good re-
suits that will surely follow will be Of
lasting benefit to every portion of the
state.