St. Paul daily globe., 1889-05-25
WHY TWAS NOT PUBLISHED
The Appropriation for Compiling
the New Orleans Report Failed

The Appropriation for Compiling
the New Orleans Report Failed
to Pass.
To the Editor Of the Globe.
The following letter from Oliver
Gibbs, Jr., fully explains itself, but
beg to add brief statement respect
ing the matter of which he writes. An
earnest effort was made to secure an
appropriation Of $1,000 from both the
last legislature and it's predecessor for
the compilation and publication of a
report of the Minnesota exhibit In the
New Orleans exposition, but notwith-
standing 1t was recommended by the
governor In his biennial message in both
instances, aud special presentation of
its Importance made to the finance COM
mittees of both houses, the item in each
case Was stricken from the general ap-
preparation bill. do not criticise the
action of the legislature, but feel it to
be mistake that will be keenly re-
allied when Minnesota undertakes an
other exhibit on similar occasion.
Mr.. Gibbs and his associates performed
valuable service for the state in the
organization and management of its
New Orleans exhibit, as is evidenced
by the remarkable record Minnesota
made in the exposition. and they nat
urally feel keen disappointment that
the result Of such service does not Sc
cure even the moderate recognition Of
preservation among the permanent
records of the state.
L. T. HUBBARD.
Red Wing, May "a.
CoMMIssIoNER GIBBS LETTER.
ID 1Hr n
GeGoHk GuSSaa SDn1t led Rne Ri NIX KIM
My Dear Sir: Your kind letter of the Doth,
informing me of the failure Of the appro-
priation asked for to compile and publish
report Of the state exhibit at New Orleans,
is before NE. You state what must be ap-
parent to every one acquainted with the
matter when you say the want of such a
report is bound to be felt i'll the future, more
especially when the state is called upon to
illustrate Its progress again In comparison
with other states at another American expo
sition. The want Of some such guide cost
the state not less than $40. 900 when this ex-
hibit was collected. The next commissioner
now seems must go it blind, as did, and feel
his way: and learn mainly how not to do 1t,
and at the states expense, before discover
ing how it should be done. 1 hope he will
have the aid Of a governor and few public
spirited citizens encouraging him to get
there, as fortunately accorded to me- There
is some comfort In the thought that his
yious work may be all the better for the
state if he is man of courage. however
much it may cost in dollars, as 'sfools rush in
where angels fear to tread,
For myself feel relieved of task In CIV
ing up ali expectation of making out the re-
port; but for you and for my co-iaborers in
the work of collecting and caring for the ex-
hibit, and for the hundreds of contributors
who were promised honorable mention in a
published report, have keen regret
J will do now as you suggest, box up all
the official papers and records more than
this, all my correspondence. scraps and
clippings, everything have on the subject
except matters of the memory, and transmit
them to the state auditor for preservation, as
soon as can spare the time to sort out and
arrange them.
wish you would ask the state papers to
publish this letter. 1t will be of interest g
all connected with the exhibit, and will
serve as record to protect you and me from
blame when future inquiries shall come to
be made why report was not compiled and
published.
presume a statement of the expenditures
has already appeared in the reports of the
state auditor, with whom you filed the voch-
ers. Yours very truly, OLIVER GIBBS, JR.,
Commissioner of Minnesota to the W. l. and
G. e. Exposition of New Orleans.