The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-13


Worlds Fair Directors Decide TO Admit Wis.,
itors to jackson Park on sundsys-
CHICAGO, May lathe worlds fair gates
will be swung wide open to the public and
the question of Sunday opening Is settled
Early last Sunday morning crowds began
to move on to jackson Park. thinking that
perhaps the gates of she fair grounds would
be opened. but they were disappointed. and
fully forty thousand people were tuvned
away from the gstes of the fair proper end
spent their money with the side shows sur
rounding the fair. q fact which the fair
authorities were not slow 70 grasp. To-
day, as q result. at tho regular monthly
meeting of the local directors of the
worlds fair it was decided to open
the gates of Jackson Park to the
admittance to the fair during the week,
viz. q cents. This action has nothing TO
do with the opening of the buildings Inc
latter will remain closed as directed under
TO when the sum of G.. 500 00o was accepted
from the hands of the Fifty-second Con-
Gress. The eatekeepers will admit to tho
grounds every one paying 20 cents. they
can examine the buildings on the outgiGe.
see everything there is to be seen, In fact
but they cannot enter the buildings. The
action of the board will 60 into effect
week from next Sunday. or on the 2lst or
this month. The vote by which the reso-
luton was passed was "a tot Under the
resolution Midway Plaisanoe wall also be
thrown open.
Mr.. Edwin Walker. attorney for the
board, submitted an opinion on the Ques-
tion. and, on the strength of this opinion.
the board acted. No provision was made
for the return of any part OF she 6. 100000
given TO the fair under the aet OF Congress-.
but there were vague tentative talk OF re-
funding the money. some time-in the un-
certain future. The vote. as explanations
made by directors revealed. by no means
showed the real convictions OF each MEN,
Der. Many voted In the affirmative for the
purpose of forcing a test Of the matter. and
others voted so with reservations and pro-
yIsos- Briefly. Mr.. Walker decided that
the exposition was one thing and the ex-
position grounds altogether distinct and
separate thing. On this the local direc-
tory stands accordingly. Unless the
national commission acts vigorously TO
prevent it, jackson Park will be open on
Sunday. the exposition buildings remain
ing closed.
cut the gordian knot brought ont o large
attendance of members. thirty-five Of the
forty-fve mem bers being present. LoDG
before the call for order the directors sat
about the room impatiently swaIting the
appearance of q quorum. Ex-President
Baker seemed hardly able to brook the de-
lay. He repeatedly called upon the board
to get Gown 60 business. His impatience.
however, was not exactly conspicuous. as
everybody seemed to feel the same way.
The gravity of the question which was to
be dealt with apparently caused the dl-
rectors no little anxiety. aud the jocularity
which usually prefaced the meetings was
absent.
THE ATTORNEYS OPINION.
Immediately after roll call Presidents
II;co;cho<har, rarogof1e1 affoxnev Ed MIN
Walker. who submitted the report upon
which the boards action was taken. and
which is. In part, as follows:
Your president has requested that as chair
man OF the committee on legislation. Isubmit TO
the board. at its present meeting. an opinion rel
ative TO the obligations assumed by THIS corpora
Aug. 5, 1892, with the conditions thereto at
tached. without any reference whatever 20 the
subsequent act OF Congress Of March 3. 1898. as
bearing on or affecting such obligations.
The act under consideration is entitled "An
act to aid in carrying out an act Of Congress, ap-
the purpose of hiding In defraying the cost OF
construction OF the Worlds Columbian Exposi-
ton . ~ ,s aa1 ts S
same to this corporation upon certain conditions
This corporation accepted the act. and has fully
and obiirations thereto attached. The inquiry OF
your president is directed TO Section OF the
proprtstion was made upon the further condition
that the exposition should mott be open 20 the
public the first day OF the week, commonly
II such appropriation be accepted by
this corporation. IL shall be "and IL Is hereby.
tue crease3 q y an act of consress April D.
1880, TO make such rules or modification OF the
rules of said corporation shall require the
closing of the exposition on the SAID nrst day or
the week. commonly called Sunday"
After the formal acceptance rule was adopt
ed by the board OF directors providing that the
fa<ao m
visitors for six months, commencing on the 1st
day of May and ending on the 30th day of octo-
Der, 1893. on each day OF the week, except on
the first day of the week. commonly called eun-
day. This rnle has not been amended or modi-
flied by the national commission, ana stlll stands
as a rule OF this corporation.
The substantial question under consideration
r. whether section 4 OF the act or Aug. 3. 1892,
and the rule adopted in conformity Herewith. re-
quired the exclusion OF the public from Jackson
Park and Midway Plaisance on sunday &C well
as from the buildings in which the various ex.
OF the original act OF April %. 1890. under aud
by authority OF which the Worlds Columbian
Exposition is being held. and therefore. In asoer-
tanning the true meaning Of Congress we should
construe both acts together
The duties and powors Of the commissioners
are clearly defined by the law. as well q
duties and obligations OF this corporation.
Section 5 provides, THAT said commission be
purposes OF the worlds Columbian Exposition,
such site as may be selected and offered; and
such plans and speoitcations Of buildings 70 q
rendered by this'corporauon."
In this section the word exposition" was
used, but in the preceding section aud I'm the
preamble and title OF the act the word exhibit
tiOn" was used instead or exposition" and all
through the act both words arc fndifferently
used. Both words are relative terms without
material difference IN meaning. Websterdeflnef
.exposition" as "a public exposition or show.
as industrial and artistic productions.T The
same authority defines exhibition" as "The ACT
OF exhibiting forl inspection; that which is exc
hibited. held forth displayed: a display of
works OF art, ETC." In my opinion the word sex
position" in the act OF August g. 1892. refers 10
the exhibition of arts, industries. manufacturer.
etc, authorized TO be exhibited In the city OF
Chicago, under the authority OF the original ect
OF April 25. 1880.
The national commission has divided this ex-
hibi.ion into several grand departments. and
10 provide for the installation OF the exhibits
factSIres and the products OF the soil, mine and
this corporation has constructed buildings FOR
each department. All OF the exhibits are in-
stalled and exposed 10 the public view IN such
buildings, under proper rules aad regulations
These buildings are located IN Jackson Park,
which rendered tn the commissioners q
site for the exposition.
The act of Aug directs that ms exposition
shall not be open 10 the public the first day OF
tho week, commonly called Sunday, but de not
think that Congress thereby Intended 10 prohibit
the public from visiting the park OF grounds on
Sunday or any other day OF the week. The pre-
hibition extends TO the exposition proper or
rather, 10 the works OF art manufactures, etc.
on exhibition. All exhibits are 20 be ooncealed
from public view on sunday. but the law viii