The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-09
A MESSAGE ON THE FAIR
The President in Favor OF
Spending More Money.
He Advises a Grant of From
Five to Eight Millions.

The following message from President
Harrison accompanied the report of the
Worlds Fair Commission to Congress-:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tiues:
transmit herewith, for the information
of Congress the annual report of the Worlds
Fair Commission supplementary report Of
the same commission submitted February
16. the report Of the board appointed by me
under Section 16 Of the act OF April %, 1890,
to have charge Of the exhibit to be made by
the Executive departments, the Smithsonian
Institute. the Fish Commission and the
National Museum and the Board OF Lady
Managers.
The information furnished by these re-
ports as to the progress Of the work is not
only satisfactory, but highly gratifying.
The plan and scope adopted, and the site
and buildings selected and now being
erected are fully commensurate with the
national and international character Of the
enterprise contemplated by the legislation
Of Congress.
The Illinois corporation has fully COM
piled with the condition that $4,000, 900
should be provided, and the Government
commission reports that grounds and
buildings will be the most extensive, ad-
eouate and ornate ever devoted to such pur-
poses"
1t seems, however, that from five to eight
millions Of dollars more will be necessary to
prepare the Exposition for complete and
successful inauguration.
It will be noticed from the reports that it
was first proposed by the local commission
to ask Congress for a loan Of 5000, 600, to
be paid from receipts and that the National
Commission appropriated this suggestion.
Subsequently the Illinois Exposition Cor
poration reconsidered its action and deter
mined upon subscription of S. 600. 000 The
supplementary report of the National Com
mission seems to approve this amendment.
II have myself no detailed information OF
the finances Of the enterprise which would
enable me to form an independent judg-
ment, and am not therefore prepared to
make any specific recommendation to Con-
gress-
The committees of Congress having this
matter in charge will undoubtedly obtain &C.
curate information before action,
The exposition, Notwithstanding the -
tations which the act contains, is an enter
prise to which the United States is so far
committed that Congress ought not. think,
withhold Just and reasonable further sup
port of the local corporation consents to
proper conditions.
Liberality on the part Of the United States
is due to the foreign nations that have re-
sponded to the invitation of this Government
and will am sure, meet the approval Of our
people, The exposition will be one Of the
most illustrious incidents in our civic his
tory.
Transmit also, certain resolutions adopted
by the representatives Of National Guards of
various States, appointed by the Governor
to attend convention, which was held in
Chicago, October %. 1891, on the subject Of
Of holding military, encampment at Chi
cago during the exposition.
(Signed) BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, February "A, 1892.
The report Of the columbian Commission
mentioned in the Presidents message is
signed by President Palmer and dated Chi
cago, November 25 1891. The report says
that most satisfactory advancement has been
made in every department OF the work, and
the substantial results furnish the assurance
that the work Of preparation will be fully
completed within the period contemplated.
by Congress; and that the exposition will
worthy Of its national and international
character and with a success which will
certainly realize, If they shall not
exceed, the expectation and demands
of the American people. The exposition
site, it is said, is exceptionally eligible and
fully adequate to all demands. In no feat
ure is the magnitude of the proposed e1posi-
lion more clearly emphasized than in the
character and capacity Of the buildings,
which will afford much larger space for
exhibition than any that have ever been
hitherto erected. The fifteen departments,
with one or two exceptions, are 10 active
operation.
1t was determined to have the dedicatory
ceremonies on October 11th, 18th, 18th and
18th, 1892, and an official historian Of the
exposition was also provided for. The
National Commission has reduced e1pendi-
lures so far as possible. Nevertheless 1t
finds it impossible to keep its expenditures
within the limits Of the appropriation Of
$50, 500, but the aggregate expenses for the
present fiscal year will be sec, 900, so that
there will necessarily be ade6cit Of no less
than 100000.
Under date of February 16. 1892 President
Palmer, OF the Worlds Columbian Commis-
sion, writes to the President calling attention
to report submitted on November 25, 1891,
reciting the action taken by the National
Commission upon the proposition Of the Ill
inois corporation to apply to Congress for
loan of 81, 600, 900. An appeal to Congress
for aid in sum slightly IN excess OF one
fourth Of the total cost OF the work, he says,
would seem to be entitled to special consider
alton.