New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-07
THE NATION And THE FIIR.

The gift Of $500. 900 from the National
Treasury to the Worlds Fair is not what due
sense of public advantage and propriety en-
Joined but it is more than might have been
expected from the dense Democratic majority
in the House. Never were converts more UNI
willing than those who under the pressure OF
popular opinion finally voted with the kepub-
lean minority to end their own tribulation> by
passing this measure And never has Demo
cratic pretence of devotion to the Constitution
been made more ridiculous than by these stern
allies Of the fundamental law who consented Ia
compromise with their convictions at 90 cents
on the dollar TO the last the National honor
and welfare had no place in their thoughts but
they had got themselves into a state OF extreme
personal discomfort and were anxious to escape
therefrom For members OF the House who
believed the appropriation 10 be unc"n>titu-
tional and voted against il on the iinal roll
call, we have much more respect. The oniy
reproach to which they are open Is that Then
methods were less honorable than their fidelity
TO conviction.
National aid to the Fair ought TO have been
given handsomely if it was to be gwen at all
and that existing circumstances made Il large
measure of assistance necessary is, we believe
the d. eyaing opinion of the country. We have
never thought that the Chicago promoters were
altogether bameless in this matter They
undertook a gigantic task without a proper
sense of responsibility, and chcerfully made
numerous promises which they have been unable
to redeem But this was temperamenial
rather than deliberate fault. Ii is entirely
unnecessary to talk about swindng and
looting" and "avarice." 1T is probably true
that Chicago would never have been c0mmis-
stoned to create Worlds Fair except for the
reckless prOdigality of the assurances gwen Ill
her behalf; but it must be acknowledged that
when these had been reduced to a basis OF fact
a handsome and substantial residue remained.
At the outset it was generally believed that
$40 0OO. 900 would pay for the Fair. and On
cago has raised that sum- With 1t an immense
work has been done, and remarkably well done
II is certain that the Exposition will be superb
" housed and there is no good reason to doubt
that il will be crediable in all respects. since
the question of site was settled there has not
been. within our obser, alton any important or
harmful display Of personal. local. sectional or
political bias Some irritation and conflict of
opinion could not fail to be engendercd by such
a task but there have been no scandals of mag
ntude 4 firm ana intelligent purpcsc has
directed the work, and the results are salts
factory 10 diSintercstcd and competent Judges.
II has been sid repeatedly during the last
few days that this gift of 50 500 600 would be
made the basis of an additional demand next
winter as if this were conclusive reason Tor
refusing to make the appropriation. For our
part. we see no sense in that argument. The
managers of the Fair believed that they needed
SIS. OOO. 900. and frankly asked for if. If they
are compelled to ask for the other half here
after, they cannot be Justly accused OF sharp
practice OF course, it is to be hoped that the
present allowance will suffice but, if we under
stand the temper Of the country. tho ir>tfer-
ence which marked the early stages OF this
enterprise has been replaced by general and
lively interest, and determination that the
Fair shall be a National triumph. If that is
the feeling which now pervadeS the country, IT
is well-nigh certain to become so strong and
universal within the next few months as -
control the action OF Congress at the next ses-
sion. And if il is then evident that more
money is needed it will be supplied When
members have heard from their constituents
they win find little difficulty in modifying their
views of the Constitution.