The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-20
The Site to be the Blind Asylum Park
An Auditorium to Seat 10000
Exhibit Space.

Sloh met III the Governor ) parlorS yeSter-
day. with the following gentlemen present:
President Eli Lilly. Judge Z. 3. Martindale.
of Indianapolis; Joseph 1. Irwin, CoIumDus;
Charles l.. Jewett, New Albany: Hugh
Doherty, Button; Charles Mccullough,
Fort Wayne; Il. l.. Goldthwait, Marion,
and Will Cumback, GreensDurg.
Colonel Lilly called the meeting TO order
and delivered a brief address, parity in the
nature OF a report of the work of the COM
mission TO. date. and partly in the nature of
unfolding plan TO which the committee
agreed with unanimity and enthusiasm.
Colonel Lily said:
The preliminary work of this commits
sion Is now enued, ana before proceeding
10 formulate plans by wnIcn the century
Oh ueselopment III Indiana territory
and State may be Adequately celebrated,
suggested by the reso4uIIon or the General
Assembly creating tnis commission, II Is
Thought advlsaDie to brieny review the
steps taken by the commission since Its or
Sanization.
'On June H. 1885, the commission. as ap-
pointed by the Governor, was announced,
and on Sept. 20 following the first meeting
was held. twenty-seven of the thirty men,
berS being present. The unanimous express
sion OF this meeting developed the strong
est sentiment in favor of me State under
taxing TO celebrate, in 1900. The event of ter
ritorial organization by demonstrating TO
the world, in way entirely beyond prece-
dent, the achievements of a hundred
years. From this time the commission mas
devoted itself diligently TO a comprehensive
study or the subject, and has sought and
obtained advice and suggestions from a
very large number of citizens of the State
III all the pursuits OF life, both personally
and through voluminous correspondence
With the Columbian exposition in mind
as an example OF combined effort by the
nations. the commission visited the Atlanta
exposition to observe what may be consid-
cred up to this time the Unparalleled enter
prise OF single and not large city in the
ion
there a valuable fund of Information. in
Guiding every detail OF business manage
ment and were convinced that if such an
or Georgia that the State of Indiana cam
by the united effort of her people, and
without imposing onerous burdens upon
any, make such an exposition of her ma
terial resources as will surprise the Nation
and challenge the admira ton of the world
with commendable spirit the. news
papers OF the State have taken up the mat
ter editorially, and by an arrangement with
the American Press Association lengthy in
terviews and suggestions by members of
the commission have been published In over
two hundred newspapers OF the State
many of which have been republished
throughout the Union.
I'm the course OF congressional legisla-
ton relating to the government exhibits at
the tennessee centennial celebra lion in
1897, and the Omaha exposition of 1898 bot
by Congress. members Of the Indiana dele
CATION on the floor of the House of Repre-
Il
demand by Indiana for the year 1900 so
soon as our General Assembly shall act
TWO THOUSAND REPLIES.
Early in the work correspondence was
opened with a large number of representa-
tive citizens in every county in the State.
the lists being furnished the secretary by
the members of the commission in each
district, selections being made from all the
industries and professions. Some two thou
sand replies have been received many of
them lengthy and full of excellent sugges-
tions. Over 80 per cent. OF these replies you
will see are in favor of a great exposition
In 1900, and express the view that the COM
ing Legislature should act, that due time
may be given for preparation.
1T may be well to recall the resolution
under which the commission acts:
Whereas, The Fourth of July in the
year 1900 will be the one hundredth ami
Versary or the establishment of the gov
eminent of the Territory of Indiana; and,
whereas, III is deemed fitting that such
anniversary should be adequately cele-
brated by a State exposition. which would
exhibit the century of development in In
diana as Territory and State; therefore
be IL
- Resolved, BY the Senate of Indiana of
the General Assembly, the House of Repre-
sentatives concurring. That within ninety
days from the adjournment of this session
OF the General Assembly the Governor
shall appoint a commission of thirty MEM
bers, two from each congressional district
and four from the State at large which
shall. after full investigation and consider
alton, report to the next session of the
General Assembly its recommendation for
the proper realization of the project and
that said commission shall serve without
pay
I'VE are not. therefore, to consider
whether or not there shall be a celebra-
ton, but we must proceed under the reso-
luton with the view that there should he
a celebration by a State exposition which
would exhibit the century of development
o. Indiana and that We must after full
investigation and consideration, report tC
the next session of the General Assembly
our recommendation for the proper realiza-
tion of the project We now come TO the
adequately celebrated.
IF we fairly reflect to the Legislature the
opinion Of the people of Indiana and our
own judgment heretofore expressed, the
event must be an exposition so great as to
fill our people with pride in their achieve
ments and furnish an object lesson of oul
resources that will rebound to our honor
and profit through the generations TO come
The development of anv plan necessa rily
| includes the most careful consideration OF
methods by which the very large sum OF
| money necessary TO insure the success OF
! such an exposition can be realized in a
| amongst the many interests without in
| creasing the State debt or imposing a tax
| levy. that could be considered in the least
ITS PERMANENT CHARACTER.
4
| brought forward in the earlier views of the
| subject, that the demonstration of our
| greatness in an exposition should be of a
| permanent character. consideration of such
| plans should probably take precedence, es.
| pecially as TIE difficulties TO be encountered
are far greater than on the lines of what
| may be regarded as popular and successful
| exhibitions. The vastness of a permanent
/ exhibition that would fifty represent the
industries and products Of the State ant
| demonstrate its progress for a hundred
| years is a dream that in all its breadth
would be grand TO realize, but there is Sc
| much involved i'm it that before embarkinl
| on such course may we'll pause fol
| cry interest may DE expected Il
/ find g place. How can the permanency OF
| such an exhibition be secured? Must 1T moi
| become "A permanent institution of the
| State. supported by annual appropriations
| While a permanent Institution in which
| might be exhibited the economic material:
| OF the State. TO which could be added N
| historical demonstration of its progress. as
| well everything pertaining 10 our educa
| tional system ana growth in the industries
| arts and sciences. would be of the creates
| benefit in practical way for all time Il
! come and worthy support. We may wei
| consider IL such collection would demon
| strate TO the world our real worth. Wou.o
| and real activities and achievements IN
such q connection? IL not. would IL b,
! feasible TO construct great building cen
4 trally located. TO be used during the Dro