The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-23
The Camera Mt tho Fair.

We have not soen Immediately any Of
tho enormous correspondence pcrpetrated
by the Hon. BENJAMIN BUTrERwoRTH
in behalf Of the Worlds Columbian Exposi.
ton. OF which he Is Secretary: but VIC ven.
turc to say that no single lotter belonging
to it calls for contradiction and repudia.
ton more emphatically than that lately
addressed to the New York Society
of Amateur Photographers regarding
popular photography at tho coming
show. Mr.. BUTTERwoRTH was veteran
ready to retire from politics when the
American public took up that delightful
industry. botn as an artistic and fas-
chatting amusement and as precise
and lasting means Of recording incidents
and scenes whose memory would be valua-
BILE. Under his circumstances. Mr.. BUTTER.
WORTH has not had the slightest chance to
comprehend the wishes and feelings OF the
immense body OF citizens. old and young.
against whom he assumes tho unwelcome
attitude outlined In tho following letter.
directed by him to tho Secretary OF the
New York Amateur Photographers:
"Your Of the Gath inst relative tho right to
photograph objects OF interest At tho Exposition.
Columbian Exposition yesterday. and the matter dis.
cussed at length.
"The Photographic privilege At the Exposition Is
Sarded very valuable and Ia of the to
which the Exposition must look for the
Of the heavy expenses entatied upon It, While It
the desire Of the committee to meet the wishes Of the
very large and influential body OF amateur photogra
piers of this country in the matter referred to- she
fact that this class Is 30 numerous was deemed
serious objection to granting the permits you desre
by so doing. tho value Of any Photographic privi
leges that light he granted would be seriously i'm.
paired II not wholly destroyed. Neither was It
deemed possible by the committee for the EXPOSE
ton to discriminate between those who wers and
those who were not amateurs in this art.
In view of these facts tho Executive Com mittee
reafiirms tho action Of the Committee on Ways and
Means and directs to express Its regret at the In
ability to comply with the wishes OF your society"
We believe that. II Mr.. BurTERwokTH had
really been able. even approximately. to es-
Innate tho number OF cameras in tho hands OF
the American public. he would have thrown
over the notion Of combining the Columbian
Photographic privileges to small profess
slonal syndicate as involving M insupport-
able and impossible monopoly Since tho
original tanning OF tho dog. mankind has
acquired no companion SO pleasing or
so universally accepted as the photo
graphic camcra. Lenving out tho i'm
mcnscly important part photography plays
in the higher branches Of science. it Is to-
day. in its simpler and less pretentious para
one Of tho most distinct and ever
present marks OF civilization in every por-
ton of tho globe. 1t has become house,
hold institution OF infinite charm and sub
stantial value. appreclable equally by youth
and age. 1t should DO encouraged by
every Intelligent influence that may fall
into relation with it,
Tho managers OF the Chicago Exposition
nre adopting conspicuously unwisO policy
of economy In deciding to shut out
amateur cameras for the sake OF rails
ing revenue from q fow favored profess
SIGNALS. They would rob the Exposition Of
one OF it's most attractive features for count.
less thousands OF expectant visitors. Re-
bcllion against such shortsightcd. proba-
bly, illegal. and certainly oppressive re-
straint would extend beyond the ranks of
actual photographers TO tho vast public
which hns learned to sympathlze with
their enthusiasm and to profit from it.
Any ono who has entered the door leading
to the ascent OF the Elllel Tower with his
kodak over his shoulder. and has been
forced to leave 1t with tho doorkecpor knows
the lively sense OF revolt against such an
arbitrary deprivation. To apply similar
despOtic and uvaricous restriction ut
tho Exposition held on the four hundredth
anniversary OF the discovery of America.
and in tho hundred and eventcenth year OF
our Independence. would DO altogether too
contrary to tho spirit OF tho timo
and OF tho occasion. Tho right to take
hand camera into the grounds of the
Fair Is Us simple US tho right to entor upon
tho presentation OF ticket. Such con-
trvanco is to-day as natural an accon.pani-
ment OF an American citlzon us his hat
on cano. To sock to prevent its use
is tho Impulse NJ mistaken avarico and Of
old fashioned Indifference to the
needs and habits OF tho agc.
In justice to Mr.. BUrTERwoRrII's col
Leagues. however. and to the many mill
Lions Of people who will visit the Fair. 1t