The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-12-30
MONEY AND THE FAIR.

One Of the first things that the legisla-
ture is going to be asked to contribute
money for will be the state exhibition at
the Worlds fair. The board has had
$4,000 TO spend in the last two years
and has failed at several points to
do what the public thought it ought to
do, and the condition of the states
finances will make the legislature very
SLOW about appropriating more money
for this purpose. There is no question
creditable showing at Chicago but with
Il deficiency bill to meet amounting to
over 100000 and increased expenses in
all directions. it is to be expected that
the legislature will weigh the matter
carefully before granting any more
money to the board.
1t is fortunate that the state board is
not to blame for the silver statue scheme,
whether it prove beneficial or otherwise.
1t has certainly caused the state to be
much talked about, nut much talking
about is not always complimentary or
beneficial. In one important particular
it seems that the board has failed en-
tirely, which is the providing of a hand
book of information regarding the state.
We believe that no steps have been
taken to have such a work prepared and
the time is now so short that it would be
practically out of the question to get up
a work which would be suitable for the
purpose. If the state misses the oppor-
turity for advertising it's
which will be given at Chicago. it will
miss an advantage such as a million sill
yer statues could not compensate fer.
\ large part Of the money thus far spent
by the board might have been saved if
the legislature had provided that the
meetings of the board should take place
at ID given point in the state instead of
each meeting being held at a different
place. Other large sums might have
been saved if the administration of the
board had been more efficient.
The main question just now is to pro-
vide sufficient money to enable the State
to occupy the position to which it is en-.
titled at the Worlds Fair. Its building in
the grounds will probably prove to be
very disappointing TO Montanians who
90 there, and unless defects in this par
ticular are made up in some other direc-
ton the State will certainly cut a sorry
figure at the Fair. Members of the leg
i~slature appear to be very dubious about
giving any more money for this purpose.
Many who have been approached uron
the subject by representatives, Of the
State Press say very frankly that they
do not see how any more money can be
appropriated. This view should not be
pressed. 1t would be wise and profit
able for some intelligent member to pre-
pare a bill providing a liberal a%ppropria-
ton for the board and instruct the board
how a large part of it is to be spent. One
Of the principal items should be a tine
illustrated hand book of the State. .Ad-
vertising to be obtained in this way
would have IA value practically incalcul-
able, and if this opportunity is neglected
the State will suffer greatly and will
lose "a thousand times what the cost will
be. The board will undoubtedly look
sharply after its W interests and will
do its best to have the state properly
represented at the Fair. but for this pur-
pose it must have money and it would be
the part of wisdom for the legislature to
instruct it regarding the expenditure of
IA large part Of the appropriation should
any be made.