The state capital., 1892-02-27
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Special Communication to Congress "a
Reference to the Worlds Columbian
Exposition - Progress Made with the
Enterprise Thus Far Very Gratifying.
tsat Further Financial Aid Necessary
TO Fully Carry Ont the Undertaking.
WASHINGTON, Feb 25-The follows
ing message from President Harrison
accompanied the reports Of tile Worlds
Fair commission to congress:
To THE SENATE AND House OF REPRESENTA-
TIvEs-I transmit herewith, for the informa-
tion of congress, the annual report of the
Worlds Columbian commission; a supple.
montary report of the same commits
sion submitted February 16 1902: the
report of the board appointed by
me under section 10 of the act of April 2j.
1890 to have charge of the exhibit to be made
by the executive departm ent, the Smithsonian
institution, the fish commission and the ma
tional museum and the board of lady managers
provided for by section IS of the act referred to-
The information furnished by these reports
as to the progress of the work is not only salts:
factory but highly gratifying
The plan and scope adopted, and the site and
buildings selected and now being erected arc
fully commensurate with tho national
and international character of the enter
prise contemplated by the legislation
has fully complied with the condition of the law
that sl0,GD,000 should be provided, and the gov
ernment comm ssion reports that the grounds
and buildings will be the most extensive ate-
quate and ornate over devoted to such pur-
poses.'
1t seems, however, that from five to eight
millions of dollars more will, in the opinion of
the local board and the national commission, be
necessary to prepare the exposition for a COM
piete and successful ipauo1ratio
1t will be noticed from the reports that it was
first proposed by the local commission to ask
of congress loan of five millions of dollars to
be paid from receipts, and that the ma.
tonal committee approved this suggestion.
subsequently the Illinois Exposition corpora
tion reconsidered its action and determined to
ask subscription of five millions of dollars.
The supplementary report of the national
commission seems to approve this amended
proposition. l have not myself that detailed
Information as to the financial necessities of the
enterprise which would enablo me to
form an independent judgment of the
additional amount necessary, and am
not, therefore, prepared to make any
specific recommendation to congress upon
the subject. The committees of congress
having this matter in charge will undoubtedly
obtain full and accurate information before final
action
The Exposition, notwithstanding the limita-
tions which the act contains, is an enterprise to
which the United States is so far committed
that congress ought not, 1 think, to
withhold just and reasonable further sup
port If the local corporation consents to
proper conditions. Liberality on the part of
the United States is due to the foreign nations
that have responded in friendly way to the
invitation of this government to participate in
the exposition and will, 1 am sure, meet the ap-
proval of our people. The exposition will be
one of the most illustrious incidents in our
Give history.
transmit, also, certain resolutions adopted
by representatives of the national guards of the
various states, appointed by the governors to
attend a convention which was held in Chicago
on the 9th of October, 1891, with view to con-
slider the subject of holding military encamp.
ment at Chicago during the exposition.
[Signedl BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, February "A. 1892