The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-26
Grand Effort TO Raise the Lacking Fifty Thou
sand Dollars for the National Encamp-
ment to Begin To- Morrow.
Secretary Fortunes Plan to Find Out
Our Capacity TO Entertain a Crowd.
City Divided Into DISBURSEMENTS Placed
in Charge Of Each-Wisconsin Seeking
Heacquarters-Naval Veterans.


Plain Statement t0 the Public of This City,
and Incidentally TO State.
This IS the week in which the citizens Of
Indianapolis must show their pride in the
city, their 10y atty to its best welfare and
its character as q place of hospitality.
The machinery for this work will he set in
motion tomorrow. Colonel Lilly has Is
sued the following 10 the citizens of In
dIanapoiis:
10 tie Pubic:
mind in regard TO the ability OF the city OF In
0ianapolis to ralse the necessary $4,000 cred
itably TO entertain the National Encampment OF
the Grand Army OF the Republic, IL has not been
shared by myself or those directly charged with
the duty OF making il a success.
The first question was that OF method, and the
first thought that OF popular subscription. But,
II looking for precedent in late years, 1t was
found IL at states and cities had taken pride In
sums. Upon the goth day OF January.
1892, executive board laid down q
line or action from which there has been
10 deviation. IL was decided that the state of
Indiana, through the Legislature. should have
an opportunity TO do that which had been done
ia other States, namely, make an appropriation.
and thai the city should be asked to DO the same,
either failing, lie balance To DO raised by popu-
lar subscription. or, both falling. the whole TO be
raised by the same method, ifpossible. IL should
be added, however, that no city had ever raised
so large a sum By subscription and IL seemed ad-
v1sablo that should, IN indianapolis as Dau
been done IN other cities, rely upon apprOpria-
tons for large sums. Ii may DO further added
that Indianapolis is the only city that ever se-
cured subscriptions for any amount before ex-
tending an invitation 10 the encampment
We now come To the last stage OF the pro-
gramme. The State having failed to make the
appropriation, citizens of Indianapolis will now
COME 10 the front with that prompt and liberal
spirit which has always characterized them in
aecenied from outside. since the state. by oicial
action, has declined All that will be asked OF
the State now will be that each county. through
its local executive committee, soon to be
nounced, will uniform and equip every old sol
der, and seI,d them here In such numbers that,
when the grand march occurs, Indiana VIII
stand proudly, In every respect, when compared
with New York, Massachusetts,, Pennsylvania or
any other State IN the Union.
The funds now stand thus:
Commercial Club assemblage fund.- $4,000
City OF indianapolis appropriation 10000
totai
OO,OUO
Total necessary TO success. $15O,O0O
1t seems 10 he difficult 10 get some TO under
stand the necessity or such large expense. But
II we consider that we are to build barracks and
furnish cots for not less than fifty thousand men,
item that cost $72 900 in Washington, and
provide for the plainest conduct OF the business,
TO say nothing OF entertainment. our present
fund of 100000 would be exhausted. There
are many or The usual features which probably
impress visitors more than anything else that
would not be provided for-grand electric
illuminations. fireworks. street decorations, re-
viewing stands, night pageants. grand parades
and all those things which make the pleasure
OF such affairs must be added, which shall be Of
such character that all, both citizens and
guests, may enjoy them without stint. 1t is
these things that please the senses and show our
hearty good will; that will send our guests away
To every city and village in this great Union
,peaking unbounded praise OF the city of Indi-
annapolis.
Yes. we could have an encampmenr for
100000 but the Washington encampment cost
Sl4S,5OO. 1t was the greatest success Of any
encampment ever held. have been carefully
over the expenditures; they were economical;
there were no banquets or expensive spreads for
the favored few; they laid the money down
where 10 did the most good and that shall be
done here One hundred and fifty thousand dol
Jars Is necessary. and the Commercial Club will
20 TO the public TO raise IL. Every citizen will
be given an opportunity TO subscribe. These
subscriptions should be made at once The
assistance OF all who are willing To Join In the
event Is desired, and subscription blanks will be
furnished to those volunteering their services.
ELI LILLY,
Chairman OF the Executive Board.