The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-07-31
WORLDS FAIR.

The Worlds fair commissioners IOT
Minnesota find their appropriation
something as the old Mohawk sachem
said when Gen. Herkimer's officers
proposed to him to divide his army.
When the old Chief Hendrix was ask
ed what he thought of the plan, said
| if the force sent to relieve Fort Har-
rison were to fight they were too few;
| if to be killed, they were too many.
The commissioners think, and proba-
bly, correctly, that the last winters
appropriation, if they are to make an
exhibit worthy the state, are too few
dollars-if a discreditable one they
are too many. That it would be bet
ter for Minnesota to stay at home and
attend to her own knitting work than
to be placed on exhibition in the
worlds fair in any less creditable con-
dition than the most attractive of
the younger sisterhood of states. 1t
is too late to discuss the wisdom of the
fair. That's settled question, and
we are in for it-and we must 60
through with the undertaking-and
it it is not too early and it is to be
hoped not too late to recognize the
fact that for the young, prosperous
and progressive State of Minnesota to
appear on that occasion with an infe-
rior or more meager exhibit than 9TH
er states of no greater or more impor-
tant resources would be not only dis
creditable but positively injurious to
the state. But how shall additional
funds necessary to make creditable
and to the State, valuable exhibit is
the question that is now important to
the commission. 1t is scarcely posi-
that it can be done by voluntary SUBJ
scription. If it could be there would
be no eQality in the burden bearing
the minority would pay the expense
while all would share in the benefits.
The scheme of specializing in railroad
tickets or gambling in farm machine
ry, wagons, plows, horses and mules,
should not be thought of; better let the
exhibit 60 by defalt than resort to any
uncertain, doubtful or questionable
methods to obtain the necessary funds
to make it a creditable success. 1t
seems to me, Mr.. Editor, that the
best possible and most feasible plan
would be for the Governor, in view of
the circumstances. to call the legis-
lature together in extra session. If
called during the time of holding the
State Fair, it need not involve any
extra time or expense to large num-
Der of the members of the legislature
who will undoubtedly attend the
fair and could devote the necessary
time to the necessary appro-
priation without seriously intering
with their attendance on the fair
and undoubtedly majority of them
now that they have had time to con-
slider the matter more carefully since
their adjournment, and in view of the
splendid crops and prospective pros
perity, would be glad of an opportuni-
ty to place it in the power of the State
Commissioners with good manage
ment to plan and carry out an exhibit
that would be not only creditable to
the good taste and enterprise of the
people, but vastly beneficial to the
state and all it's varied institutions.
Perhaps you may not concur with my
views, and if so, the waste basket can
contain them. If you should approve
the method let the readers of the
FREE PRESS have all the light you can
give them on the subject. A credit
able exhibit worthy our prosperous
state or none at all is my motto.
Yours truly, B.