New-York tribune., 1885-02-14
TIE AMERICAN EXHIBITION IN LONDON.
COMMISSIONER SPEED REPLIES TO " "oN-LooKERs"
CRITICISM.
To the Editor OF The Trt6une.

COMMISSIONER SPEED REPLIES TO " "ON-LooKEEs"
CRITICISM.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: In to-day's edition of THE TRIBUNE
appears letter. signed "On-LcOker" in reference 10
the American Exhibition in London in 1886 This cor
respondent says he knows nothing of the bona ides OF
the enterprise and his uncertain statements which he
to be facts prove most concusiveiy to me
that he either knows nothing preends lack OF know-
edge for purpose of giving ground to his suspicious
As matter fact the committee of Congress to which
was referred resolution providing for the transport
alton of the Government exhibits from New-Orleans 10
London has been furnished with exactly the information
"On- ooker" asks for, and believe the Information
was entirely satisfactory.
He saws: Nowhere is there list OF officers or the
CORPORATION association whchs TO FURNISH the necdeu
capital" This statement is simply untrue. for IN the
very circular refers to Is printed most conspicuous
Iy that the Executive Council Of the Association. which
has been duly incorporated consists Of John Robinson
whitley chairman; c. b. Norton. vicecharnan; and
Lord Ronald Cover. Messrs. " A. Applin. T. H. Dorsey
f. A. harrington. and John Prestman members. Ana
IL was also announced that the National Bank OF Com
mcrce was acting the NewYork banker Of the Asso
ciation while Messrs. seward. Da Costa and Guthrie
were acting as New-York counsel IL Onlooker
had cared do else than give an enterprise with which
General Norton connected "a stab in tho DARK
lac could nave easily obtained all the Information ne
pretends To lack ana the lack Oh With with
he makes him prey To Suc unfortunate 7usp'Ios'
the could have quickly satisfied himself through
the ordinary channels that the American Exhibition ls
serious Undertaking with abundant capital to carry ont
all lis promises The Mercantile Agency III New YORK
can doubtless give all the Information dcsredn reference
10 the integrity Of the American Exhibition Association
and incorprrators. Messrs. whitley, Norton, Appin,
ID ,rSey, Harrington and Freshman and Lord Ronald
Cover.
II would he particularly unfortunate II anything were
done hinder the success Of this American EhhDl
ton" ana especially when affairs at New-Orlcaus
appear be likely at nom mt 10 create scan TAI
which Will affect the United states all tho world
The common law of exhibitions, alluded To by your
correspondent, which. he thinks would require some
sort AN invitation from Great Britain before this Coy
ernmcnt could participate In American exhibition IN
London a exhibitor there. does not apply to this
exhibition II there be such Law. II would ho a.
reasonable The absurd proposition that the American
Minister or American Consul in London would bHye TO
receive the permission Of the British Government before
visiting ship flying the American nag or attend thea
tire where American play Is performed by American
actors Great Britain has nothing whatever to do with
American Exhibition IL does not concern her IN the
least The Exhibition Is 10 br purely American and Is n-
tended advance the interests OF Americas trade with
the world.
Will you permit TO say that tho American Exhibit
tion neither asks needs aid from tho Govern
nent whatever The Government has merely been In
vtcd participate I'm the exhibition. and the Govern
pleases. The exhibition will be held whether or not,
and II will not be permitted to become nt-co. even
though on LOCKER tries hart to make IL 30.
AIN very respectfully, yours JNo. GiMER srEED.
Special Commissioner.
Uosht,gfon n Feb 1888.