Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-05-12
WHAT THEY SAY.
The Views OF Prominent Citizens on the
Convention and Its Work.

! The Views OF Prominent Citizens on the
Convention and Its Work.
f. W Tdylor-'I think the legislature
sadly erred in refusing to pass the appro-
priaton bill, but rs the matter stands Texas
IS compelled 10 DO something and we should
start off on the right foot. Ofcourse, funds
can only be raised by private subscriptions,
but 1 committee should be appointed that
will thoroughly canvass the state We
cannot levy a tax on any county, and our
fund must be Il free Will Offering. After
steps are taken TO secure the fund the
soliciting executive committee should take
the matter of gathering the exhibit in hand
and place it under the control of an enter
prising man who will see that it is dis
played with advantage. However, the
question that the convention has to deal
with is the raising Of the fund, and l leave
this issue 10 the delegates TO settle"
:. y. Rainey-"The convention should
get TO work Immediately in order to Sc
cure competent central or executive
committee. This committee should be
composed of the leading men of every
county. And when / say leading men.
mean the business men-the men who pos
sess the power to enthuse their communi-
ties with the magnitude of the undertaking
This committee should be given the power
to levy subscriptions and collect an ex-
hibit and for their convenience should
select an executive committee out Of their
number The raising OF the fund, being
a gift from the people, of course, depends
largely upon the liberality of the citizens
of Texas ana is beyond the power of the con-
vcution, outside OF taking steps to thor
oughly canvass the state"
Col. T. K. Bonner Of Tyler, and one Of the
receivers of the International railroad, was
in the city yesterday, and while ne was here
on business and not as 4 delegate, he told q
u. IL. =
the state with the energy with which it
would cooperate with the Fort Worth con-
vention. He stated that his pressing bust
ness land he is probably the busiest man in
Texas today had prevented him from Civ
ing the matter as much attention as he de-
sired, but he felt confident that the conven-
ton would wisely adopt measures that
would call forth patriotism and enthusiasm
upon the part Of the masses, and which
would result in magnificent fund being
subscribed for the purpose.
Mn. j. II. Brown of Tyler-''While |
I'm in Fort Worth on private business mat
tiers, and not as a delegate to the conven-
ton, realize that Texas must be adver-
tised and that the Columbia exposition
offers the most extensive advertisement
ever considered by our people. Already
Smith county Is enthusiastic over the
prospect Of a magnificent and colossal
Texas exhibit and is ready to enter into
q cooperative movement with energy and
vim. Our people think that the fund can
readily be raised by private subscription
collected under the management of q
committee selected by the Fort Worth
convention, and that the movement will be
general throughout the state. However, I
regret TO say that our party leaves tonight
for East Texas and we will be unable to
attend the convention. Our sympathies
are with the people of Texas in the move
nent and we think that the Fort Worth
Chamber Of Commerce deserves great
praise for the preparations being made to
entertain the guests
Max Elser-"As the convention that will
assemble in our city tomorrow will be
composed OF representative ladies and gen.
temen from all parts Of the state, I would
prefer not 10 express an opinion
To this the reporter stated that he
wanted an idea as to what the public wanted
the convention to do He said:
IF you must have IN expression, I be-
iieye the most feasible plan would be for
this convention to decide upon an amount
TO be raised by Texas, say 500, 900 or
$3.50, 900, said amounts 10 be raised by volun-
tary contributions from the various coun-
ties, the pro rata based upon the taxable
values as per the assessment rolls of 1890
Some counties might raise their pro rata by
private subscription. In other counties the
county commissioners court or the board of
aldermen Of cities might appropriate the
fund. This convention will doubtless elect
board of directors or managers composed
of both gentlemen and ladies, who in turn
VIII elect their subcommittee and mana
gers. 1t will require work to raise this
fund. but it can and must be raised"
John Z. HoXie-"This Is movement that