The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-02
WORLDS FAIR.

Inception, Progress and Completion of the
Great Enterprise Now Open.
CHICAGO. May NEARLY eight years
have elapsed since the idea that culmi-
mated in the formal opening to-day of the
great White City was given root. Appro-
priately enough the suggestion had it's
origin in Chicago. 1t was on Nov. Is.
1885, that the directorate of the Interstate
Exposition. an organization under the
auspices Of which an autumnal show of
the agricultural and manufacturing re-
sources of the Western States had been
held for many years in the old Exposition
Building. on the lake front. the site Of
which is now occupied by the Memorial Art
Palace, adopted a resolu fion favoring q
national commemoratIon of the quadrocen-
tennial of the discovery of the American
continent by Christopher Columbus.
1t is doubtful, however, whether the i'm
agnation of the mover of the resolution or
OF those who voted for it could have CON-
jured up the stupendons results that were
to spring from their simple but patriotic
proposition. The idea. however. attracted
instant and widespread attention, and
early In the following year the board of
promotion was organized IN New England,
with Ex-Governor Clatiin, of Massachu.
setts. as president. for the purpose of Sc
curing congressional action favorable to
the proposed commemoration Through
the efforts of this board resolution was
introduced in the Senate on July 81, 1885,
by Senator George L. Hoar, of Massaohu.
setts for the appointment of a joint com-
mittee of fourteen to consider the aGvis-
ability of holding worlds fair. At this
time the leading spirits In the movement
favored the national capital az the loca-
ton, and the erection of both temporary
favorable report was rendered, bus for o
while the matter Jagged. and il W as not IN
til three years later that Chicago took up
the matter in earnest.
July ~, 1859, the City Council adopted q
resolution instruotiDg Mayor Cregier TO ap-
point a committee of one hundred TO pro-
coed to the national capital and adv Oc ate
the selection of Chicago as the location of
the fair. Three weeks afterwards num-
Der of citizens organized corporation
with the title 1.-The World's Fair. 1892"
which WAS chartered under the laws of the
state OF Illinois. with a capital stock
of S5.000.000. by this time the in
terest in the proposed commemoration
had become national. On Dec. 10 of the
same year Senator Cullom. Of Illinois. intro
dnced the first worids fair bill In the Sem
ate. For two months thereafter there was
q fierce rivalry between the differenfeities
that were eager for the honor of b6 1g Sc
lected as the site for the fair. Chicago
New York and ST. Louis were the principal
contestants. Delegation after delega-
ton swooped down upon the capital. and
lite was made a burden to the IeRisla-
tors OF both branches OF the government
Each city was accorded q far hearing TO
present it's claim. In it's last stages the
contest became marked with considerable
bitterness, but the agony was ended on
Feb. "a. $780, when the national Congress
selected Chicago as the site for the expo.
sitIon, and the bill was signed by President
Harrison on the 18th of the same month.
In the mean time the directory had met
and organized, and Lyman }. Gage re-
ceived the distinguished honor of being
elected as the first president. special
session of the Legislature held in June of
the same year authorized the city of Chi
caRo To increase its bonded indebtedness
by S5,000,0O0 In aid of the enterprise.
Thereupon the name OF the corporation
was changed TO the Worlds columbian Ex-
position. aud its capitalization Increased
to $4,000. 000.
The first meeting of the national commits
sion, q body brought into existence by the
act of Congress, and composed of repre-
sentative men designated by President
Harrison and by he Governors of the
various States and Territories was held in
Chicago on June 81, 1880, and ex-senator
Thomas W. Palmer. of Michigan. was
chosen as president subsequently George
X. Davis. of Chicago. was elected by this
body as director general. The selection or
q site was now IN order. There was a
southern and western sections OF the city,
but the lack of ample facilities on the west
side was evident from the start and on
July .. $780, the board of directors decided
to locate the fair at Jackson Park, q large
open space on the southern outskirts. and
having n frontage on Lake Michigan of one
and q half mile. and containing with the
Midway Plaisance, which forms con-
neetion link between jackson and Wash
ington Parks. total OF over six hundred
acres.
On Christmas eve of 1880 President Har-
rison extended an invitation TO the nations
of the earth to participate In the exposi-
tion. and the responses were immed ate
and cordial About tho same time the lady
board of managers was brought into exist
ence. and Mrs. Potter Palmer. of Chicago
selected as president of the body The work
Of constructing the Mines and Mining
Binding. the first structure undertaken,
was begun on July 2. 1891. and from
that time on the work Of building
mr. the White City was prosecuted
with vim aud vigor. One structure rose
after another. ana on Oct. "a. 1882. in the
presence of sn sssemblags of over lc0.oot
| people the grounds and buildings were