Omaha daily bee., 1896-06-19

ICED for a government building and $50, O0(
additional for the transportation and care
of the exhibits.
The main question before the promoters
of the enterprise at this time was the
amount that congress should be asked tc
contribute. 1t was the opinion of Con-
gresham Mercer, as well as Senators Thurs
ton and Allen, that the bill would stand in
a more favorable light if a proviso was in
serted to provide that the amount donated
by the government should be available only
when a similar amount was raised by the
people of Omaha. This view was finally
endorsed by the board of directors, and it
was resolved to ask for an appropriation of
$3.50, 900, to be available when an equal
amount had been raised at Omaha.
FIGHT FOR RECOGNITION.
The bill was introduced in the house by
Congressman Mercer, and until the senate
bill was finally passed, on almost the last
day of the session, the fight for it's passage
was continually waged. At first the bill
was handicapped in the house by the strong
opposition of Speaker Reed. who opposed
it on the general ground of economy. 1t
was referred to the committee on ways and
means, of which Mr.. Reeds colleague, Mar
tin Dingley, was chairman, and for some
time it looked as though it would die in
the committees hands. The senate bill was
reported back early in March, after the ap-
preparation had been cut down to $500, 600,
which was the amount contributed to the
Atlanta exposition.
Then the main fight conferred in the house,
where Mr.. Mercer and his friends were
working day and night in its interest. Be-
fore MERGERS determined efforts the oppo-
sition which had originally confronted the
bill began to disappear. AS the members
were made to realize the Importance of the
enterprise and the benefits that it would
bring to the entire transmississippi region,
it's opponents were won over until it be-
came one of the most popular measures
bpfOrp the house. But some difficulty Nag
still experienced in getting a favorable re-
port from the ways and means committee,
and on April 10 Senators Thurston and
Allen called up the senate bill, which had
been held in the hope OF securing the pas
sage of the house bill. which carried the
full appropriation of $3.50, 900. 1t was passed
by unanimous consent. and as no other
course was then open, 1t was decided to
Introduce the senate bill In the house.
Wattles of the Exposition associa-
ton, and Henry f. Wyman we're in Wash
ington at the time in the interests OF the
bill, and on April 20 he appeared before the
house committee. together with Congress-
men Mercer. Andrews and KEN, and made
a vigorous plea for the bill. He left for
Omaha that night with the assurance that
the bill would be fayorably reported after
the amendment ohligating Omaha to raise
$3.50, 900 had been incorporated. The report
was presented by Congressman Dolliver of
Iowa on the following afternoon and placed
on the file for passage.
BATTLE NOT YET WON.
1t seemed that the battle had been won,
but IL required another tremendous effort
to secure recognition for the bill. Scores of
measures were demanding consideration, and
in the hurry TO close the session II seemed
likely that SpeakerrReed would neglect to
the exposition bill and that IL
would lay over until the next session. All
possible pressure was brought to bear on
the speaker for recognition. Congressman
Mercer and others who had been interested
worked like beavers and Senator Allen lent
his enthusiastic assistance. Finally Mr.. e.
Rosewater went to Washington at the re-
quest of the exposition association and spent
days in working for the bill. Be
fore he left the promise of Speaker Reed to
recognize the bill for action by the house
had been secured, How the hopes Of the
Of the bill were crushed at the in
slant of fulfllment by the action Of Con-
KEN, and again by the objection
Of Congressman Bailey, is recent history,
The final triumph came when they had al
most ceased to hope, and the news that the
bill had finally passed was received in
Omaha with an enthusiasm almost unprece-
dented.
Early this week a public meeting will be
called, at which the next steps In the under |
taking will be formulated. The Iowa legis-
Iature has already authorized an appro-
of s25, 900 for their state exhibit.
and the legislatures OF Nebraska and other
states will now be called on to do their
share. The various bureaus necessary to
carry on the enterprise will soon be or
and active preparations for the big
will soon be under way. l