The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1907-08-01
Refuting Criticisms of the Exposi-
ton.

Norfolk Virginian-Pilot.
In an interview appearing in the
Philadelphia Ledger Mr.. Albert Cook
Myers, Director of the Pennsylvania
State History Exhibit at the James
town Exposition, ably defends this
great show against the superficial
criticisms to which it is subjected in
some quarters by the ignorant or the
malicious. Mr. Myers statements
are so much to the point, so thor
oughly cover the ground and are so
forcefully put that We reproduce
them in full.
After three months spent at the Expo
sition grounds, | still find myself charm
ed with the buildings, the site, the land
scape effects, and beyond every thing else,
the exhibits. Gross injustice is being
done the enterprise by superficial criti-
cism in the face OF the absolute fact that
the display at Jamestown is equal in
most respects and superior in many to
any exposition thus far held in America
"There are unfinished spots, but this
has been true in the case of every exposi-
ton. At Chicago it was necessary to
delay the opening a year Some of the
criticisms | have read complain that
at jamestown there are buildings with
out exhibits, while others denounce the
company because there are exhibits in
incomplete buildings Neither CRITICS m
is just and both indicate the work of SUI
perfcial observers. AS matter of fact,
during the present week the last Of the
buildings is completed, and today the
only blight is the fact that the great
government pier, in the very heart of the
exposition, remains unfinished Work
on this is being rushed, and it should be
ready for use in the near future.
1.-The fact that this pier is incomplete,
however, need not detract from the
pleasure to be derived from a view of the
exposition.
''The States Exhibit building offers a
liberal education, and cannot help ap-
pealing to the patriotism of every Ameri-
can who goes through it's vast extent
admiring the marvellous display of Ameri-
can commercial and industrial achieve
uIents.
"Visitors to Jamestown, | take it,
want to see the exposition, and ought to
be prepared to form their opinion on a
basis OF the whole display. | cannot
understand a denunciation of a great
and wonderful exposition because some
mud was found at the crossing in the
road. Nor can | understand the other
trifing facts which have served as bases
for general criticism and complaint. To
my mind the exposition is splendid suc-
cess and we'll worth seeing.
Zone thing will strike a visitor in par
ticular, and that is the substantial ma
ture of the buildings. All are of rein
forced concrete and brick, and give far
more pleasing effect than the type of con-
struction used at every other display.
Lovers of Horticulture will find here end.
less delight Flowers bloom all the time
and the landscape scheme throughout
the grounds is most beautiful.
''Take my advice and see jamestown.
A thousand things will delight you for
every one that displeases.''
This is the opinion of man who,
according to his own statement, has
been on the grounds for some three
months, has had ample opportunity
to study the exposition in all its
phases and is by natural endowments
and by education competent to form
an intelligent and accurate iudg-
ment. "To my mind" he declares,
"the exposition is a splendid success
and worth seeing"
Is not his Judgment entitled to
more consideration than the criti
cism of the chronic and professional
"knocker," who comes with biased
and prejudiced mind, observes only
specifically, and whose order of men
tally is such that he could not form
an intelligent opinion if he wished to.