The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-11-09
Another Appropriation Asked.

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The Worlds Fair people are again
asking for money TO invest in Chicago's
great real estate speculation. The legis-
lature of 1890 appropriated, FIRST $4,000,
and at the extra session in August, 1891,
increased the sum to $4,000. AT the
| latter session the matter was considered
with more of csndor, and action taken
with greater deliberation and better
understanding between the friends and
opponents of large appropriations than
existed at the regular session. The
increase TO $4,000 was a compromise
measure. 1t was stated in the discus
sion in August by members of the
Worlds Fair committee that $4,000
would erect the state building. The
advocates of just and rational expend-
iture were contending for a total appro-
priation Of 10000, the committee for
100000 The sum of $4,000 was
cheerfully accepted as a compro mise,
with tacit understanding that this
ought to be the end of the matter-that
this sum should erect the building and
leave 81 900 to provide for its care and
maintenance and other incidental ex-
peuses.
But now comes the commission ask
ing for an additional appropriation of
S14, $50 to put up the building and pro-
vide for its maintenance. The inquiry
naturally arises, What has become of
the $4,000 hitherto appropriated? If
it has not been spent, what do the
commission, or the persons who have it
in charge, propose to do with the
money?
Il well-defned impression exists that
the taxpayers will be asked to con-
tribute indefinitely to the Chicago show
before the end is reached; that $50 900
will hardly cover the aggregate of sue
ceeding demands for sacrificial offer
ings to the pride of the state. If the
National Guard is to be taken to the
fair, what additional sum may ultimately
be wanted for that excursion no one
can tell. The impression also exists that
the appropriation now asked for is in
fact to reimburse certain public-spiriteG
individuals who, to the number of 100,
have individually pledged themselves
to pay 500 to the Vermont exhibition
fund, in case the legislature should not
increase the appropriations already
made.
Every dollar expended in the Chi
cago exhibition is in fact a sacrifice to
state pride. No appreciable advantage
will accrue to the common people of
the state, who will pay the bulk of the
bill. The exhibition has been planned
on scale of illimitable cost and mag
nifcence. Prodigal millions have been
spent in spectacular features, in mere
show. The exhibition will be too vast
to be of any material value except to
Chicago, and for that city it is boom
of colossal proportions. Vermont has
entered the race for display and costly
state buildings and expensive repre-
sentation. Fourteen thousand seven
hundred fifty dollars are now asked
(over and above the sum appropriated
by the legislature of 1890 for state
building to be occupied six months and
then to be knocked down at merely
nominal price to some Spectator of the
"windy city" Having been put into
this race, Vermont taxpayers will
probably have to run it to the finish !;
but this legislature should protect them
by all means in its power.