Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-04-06
WORLDS FAIR NOTICE.
To Presidents and Secretaries of different Coun
Columbian Clubs:

To Presidents and Secretaries of different County
Columbian Clubs
GENTLEdEN-The Board OF Worlds
Fair Managers for the State of Kansas
finds itself confronted at the very out
set with serious financial problem.
The Legislature appropriated s65.O00
for the States exhibit at the Worlds
Columbian Exposition, and the act
making the appropriation provided that
counties having made voluntary contri-
buttons to the old Board should be
reimbursed. The amount required for
the purpose is SI9,097. Also the
amount expended by the old Board in
the erection of the State building on
the Fair Grounds in Chicago, and the
material on hand. in the way of exhib-
its, which amounts to s12. 900. leaving
the Board but $50. 1896 with which to
represent the various industries of the
State at the Exposition.
The world will meet there in friendly
compitition, and the enterprising peo-
pie of this great agricultural State OF
Kansas cannot afford to be found lag
ging behind. Do not permit yourselves
to believe that the money appropriated
by the State for this purpose is free
donation, that will bring back no
return. It should be considered in the
light of an investment. and if judic-
iously used. as it certainly will be, will.
in coming years, add millions of wealth
to this State. The agricultural. horti-
cultural, mines and mining exhibits
will have To be duplicated in the Expo
sition building and Kansas State
building, and at very heavy expense.
We have appropriated $1,000 for the
agricultural display alone. 1t should
have been at least $4,000 to make
such display as our people would desire.
In addition to tie above. the educa-
tionaI, musical, historical, live stock,
state dairy association. women s
department.. chronological display by
Professor Dyche-all those interests
must necessarily suffer for want of
funds to make the exhibits complete.
The Kansas building must be cared
for, which will necessitate some addi-
tional expense. In short, we cannot
do justice to the great commonwealth
of Kansas and satisfy the ambition of
her people with the limited means
placed at our disposal. The object OF
this circular letter is to ask the several
counties in the State to kindly loan to
the present Board the amount origin.
ally subscribed to the old Board
Should your county be willing to aid us
in this manner, the amount SO loaned
will, without doubt, be refunded by the
| next Legislature. AS a guaranty that
these amounts will be so refunded, we
| already have the earnest pledge of al
the present State officers, together with
large number of the members of the
Legislature. Should an extra session be
called, as now seems probable, the
matter will be promptly considered.
Should your county be willing to
donate the amount already subscribed
such liberality would be greatly appre
ciated; but if it is desired that the
amount should be returned. we pledge
our good faith to its payment as above
| indicated, and also that we will make
such wise use of the money as will
secure to us the gratitude and approval
of the loyal people of Kansas.
(Signed) M. w. CoBUN, President.
MRS. A. M. CLARK, Sec'y..