Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-02
DIRECTOR-GENE DAVIS.

For the same reason that the President
curtailed his remarks, Director-General
Davis shortened his speech very material
ly. The following is the address ne pre-
pared for the occason aud which ne wouio
have delivered had the enthusiasm ana
anxiety of his audience made 1t possible:
ADDRESS OF DIRECTOR GENERAL DAVIS.
The dedication of these grounds and
buildings for the purpose OF an interna-
tional exhibition took place on the 2Ist OF
last October, at which time they were so
accepted for the objects TO which they were
destined, by the Congress Of the United
States This is not the time nor the place,
neither will il be expected OF me, TO give q
comprehensive resume OF the strenuous eI-
forts which have been put forth 10 com
plete the work to which we invite your IN
spection to-day. l may be permitted, now
ever, 70 say a word in praise OF ana In
gratitude TO my co-otiicers and official
staff, who form the great organization
which made this consummation possible.
This exposition is not the conception OF
any single mind; IL is not the result OF any
single effort; but the grandest conception
of all the minds and the best obtainaole re-
suit of all the efforts put forth by all the
people who have In any manner contrlOu-
tod TO its consideration.
The great commanding agencies through
which the government has authorized this
work to proceed are, the national commits
sion, consisting OF los men and their alter,
nates-selected from the several states and
Territories-presided over by the Hon.
Thomas w. Palmer, OF Michigan; the cor
poration Of the State OF Illinois, known as
the Worlds Colum bian Exposition. consist
ing of forty-fve directors, presided over
by Mr.. H. N Higginbotham, OF Chicago,
and the Board of Lady Managers, consist
ing of lis women and their alternates-
selected from the several States-preslded
over by Mrs. Potter Palmer, Of Chicago.
To these great agencies, wisely selected by
Congress, each reforming its special func'
ton on the
GRATITUDE OF TIRE PEOPLE
of this country and the cordial recognition
of all this friendly foreign representatives
are due.
To perfect from these agencies an efi-
cient organization. was our first duty and
il was successfully accomplished, at tue
outset through committees, subsequently
by great executive departments and
through these departments the systematic,
vigorous and effective work has progress
ed Through the depal tment OF admins
tration, the department Of finance, the de-
partment of works, and tho great exhibit
department, the plan and scope OF grand
international exposition have been worked
out. The department of finance composed
of mem oers of the Illinois corporation, has
with disinterestedness remarkable, with
courage undauuted successfully financed
the exposition, has provided for the
great work upwards OF SSO,OOO,OOD
The Department of Works and its various
bureaus Of architects, artists, engineers
and builders have transformed these
grounds, which twenty-one months ago
were uusightly, uninviting and unoccupied
stretch Of landscape, into the beauty and
splendor of to-day. They have conspicu-
ously performed their functions, aud these
grand avenues, these venetian waterways,
the finished landscape, the fountains and
sculptures and colonades, and these grand
palaces stand out as a monument TO their
genius and their skill, supplemented oy the
labor of that great army OF skilled artisans
and workmen, all citizens OF this Republic,
The chiefs Of the great departments who
have elected this mighty enterprise, and
gathered here the exhibits forming the
picture that is set in this magnihcen,
frame, have confirmed the wisdom OF then
selection. No State or Territory OF the
Union has escaped their voice;
NO LAND on THE GLOBE
that has Language but has been visited,
and the invitation of the President Of the
United States personally presented. For.
tunately at the inception Of this enter
prise our government was and, still IS at
peace with the whole world. Commission.
ers were sent TO Europe, 10 Asia, TO Aus
tralia, British North America, and to the
islands of the seas, so that to-day the
whole world knows and is familiar with
the significance~of the great peace carni'
val we are about TO inauRurate IN this
campus, and all the nations join in cele
bratiug the event which 1t commentaries
This enclosure, containing nearly sOl
acres, covered by more than four hundred
structures, from the small States pavilion
occupying an ordinary building site to the
colossal structure OF the Manufacturers
aud liberal arts building covering over
thirty acres is filled and crowded with q
display Of the achievements and products
Of the mind and hand Of man such as has
never before beed presented 70 mortal vi
sion.
The habits, customs and life OF the peo
pies Of our own and foreign lsnC.s are
shown ID the variegated plaisance; Those
stately building are filed with historical
treasures ana natural products Of oCf sew
eral states. The artistic charact Fisfis
and beautiful edihces, the headQuar'frs oi
foreign commissions, surrounding tte gal
iery Of fine arts. which in itself will be an
agreeable surprise TO the Americankb kbehol
der constituted the grand central tone Of