St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-10-15
Money FOR The FAIR.
The Columbian Commission
Proposes a Plan to the
People
erorating the Amount Re-
CURED Among the Sew
eral Counties.
Fairs, Concerts and Balls Sug-
gested as Money Making
Means,
With a Legislative Reim-
burSement Where Cash
Is Advanced.

The gentlemen comprising Sic Min
nesota commission of the Columbian
exposition have very wisely decided not
to retire under fire. Having enlisted in
the service of the state tor this object,
they propose TO carry 1t through to the
best of their ability. Their present
plan, which has already been outlined
in the GLOBE. is fully set forth in the
following which was issued yesterday:
An Address 10 the People of TAinne-
sofa.
The Fifty first congress provided for cele
brating the four-huudredth anniversary OF
the discovery of America by holding an in
ternationnl exhibition Of arts, industries,
manufactures, and products of the soil, mine
aud sea in the city of Chicago. In the name
OF the people and government OF the United
States President Harrison has invited all the
narions of the earth 10 take part in the CON-
memoration Of this event
The favorable responses to this invitation
Blready received the unprecedented number
of applications for space from this and other
countries the vast sum OF money set apart
for the preparation Of the site and structures.
warrant us in saying that this exhibit viii
be beyond question the most complete and
comprehensive international exposition in
the history of the world.
The state Of Minnesota, through her repre-
sentatives in congress and on the Column
bian commission, is committed to this great
undertaking in all its scope.
In recognition of this fact her state legisla-
tuTe passed an act. approved April 90 1891,
appropriating tie sum of $50, 0U0,. and Great
ing n board of Worlds fair managers, who
should be charged with the duty of collect
ing, transporting and displaying the natural
and industrial products OF this state at the
Columbian Exposition of 1893.
The board appointed in virtue of this leg
islation (of which the undersigned are men,
bers) visited Chicago for the purpose of in
forming themselves more definitely as to the
nature of the duties and responsibilities
which they had assumed.
We became acquainted with the plans and
purposes of those who were promoting this
vast undertaking; examined the grounds
where the exposition is to be held; accepted
the site which had been designated for Min
nesota; learned what other states purposed;
what agencies were employed to bring this
exposition before the peoples of the earth;
and, from the facts so gathered, we were
convinced that Minnesota, with $4,000.
could hardly afford TO enter the lists; that
this sum was altogether inadequate 10 make
1.-THE complete and creditable display which
is called for by the act which appropriated it.
The question then was what to do?'
Shall we accept the situation and go for
ward, making scanty display of our re-
sources amidst the thorough and ambitious
state exhibits with which we are sure to be
invested or shall we make known TO our
people the exact situation. and eudeavor by
all means at our command TO secure the
money necessary to accomplish the end pro-
posed?
We have adopted the latter course and in
It's pursuance Il convention, fairly repre-
sentative was called to meet in st. Paul on
The 18th OF last August in order to assist us
in devis:ng means and methods for increas-
ing the states APPROPRIATION.
After day spent in deliberation the con-
vention, by resolution, declared the need of
an extra SiOO.Vu0 70 insure an e&hiblt worthy
or the state. and favored call of the legis-
lature in special session to vote the sum re-
Quired.
1t became apparent. for reasons which
may not be enum Grated at this time, that the
plan proposed by the convention did not find
a response i'll The public sentiment of the
state. Accordingly the board met in Septem-
Der and unanimously passed the following
resolutions embodyiug another plan of rails
ing $4,000 which we confidently submit to
the favorable consideration of the people of
this state.
Whereas In the Judgment of the worlds
fair state board. the sum of 100000, in addi-
ton 10 the sum of $4,000 appropriated by
the legislature, will be required in order to
provide the state with a suitable exhibit at
the Worlds Columbian exhibition therefore.
Resolved, First-1hat i'll our judgment
the plan for raising the sum mentioned can
be most equitably secured at this time by
apportioning the same to the various coun-
ties of the state, according 10 the assessed
valuation of the real and personal property
of each county. as rendered for the year 1899.
"Second-That of the moneys so raised i'll
the interests of the worlds fair, the lady
commissioners representing this state on the
board of lady managers shall be entitled 10
at least five per cent of the same, to be
used through an organization of their own,
approved by this board"
The plan herewith proposed needs no ex-
PLANTATION, and leaves TO the citizens OF each
county the adoption OF such means as they
10 hot,
tvs quota.
The following methods have been sug-
gested: First-The making of notes drawn
by responsible residents of each county, upon
which money may be had upon call. Sec
ond-Through personal solicitation for out
and out donations to the countys obligation.
Thrd-The holding of popular concerts, lee
lures, fairs. etc, the profits OF which shall so
to the worlds fair fund.
The board is of the opinion that the first
means is the simplest and promises the most
speedy results 1t is proposed to issue GER
tiicate to every subscriber toward this fund,
setting forth the circumstances under which
such subscription was given, TO the end that,
should the legislature at its next session
make an appropriation sufficient to cover the
amount now solicited, each donor would
have the evidence Of such donation and be
reimbursed. The plan herewith submitted
is certainly fair. though there are mixed with
II elements of delay and uncertainty. 1t will
be subjected to criticism unless every county
responds in the payment of It's just quota.
If, however. few public-spirited citizens
OF every county will promptly undertake and
energetically push this matter,every obstacle
will be surmounted, and a gratifying success
follow. Surely this enterprise makes its APP
peal 10 our gratitude, to national and state
pride, and to enlightened self-interest.
w. r. Merriam, ID. A. Monfort,
o. V. Tousley, j. La Due,
81. B. Harrison, c. Nee. Reeve.
J. j. Furlong, A. L. Ward.
George \. Lamphere.
por. DOT IA