The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-06

ia al t8AitDiL uciIlOilrlf dliii6 OuI
and imagination in the production of things
beautifui-paintings. sculpture. music. lit
erature, etc. of winch we have many mon
uments, which VIII show the world our APP
probation Of matters other than those of
a material character. giving a glimpse of
the refinement following so closely in the
wake OF the Industrial development of a
hundred years.
Assemblage Department.-This should
provide in an ample way for the congrega-
ton Of the people in large numbers during
the centennial celebration and for future
events. something in magnitude like Madi-
s~on-square Garden. in New York. where
the great State and national conventions
may be held; also musical festivals, spe-
cial agricultural. horticultural and ffori-
and all gatherings calculated 10 ennoble.
and build up the State. The seating ca
pacity of this auditorium should not be less
than 12.t00 people.
Auxiliary Buildings.-Auxiliary TO this
central and permanent memorial building
should be constructed buildings of a tenn
porary character. TO contain during the pc
Rod of the centennial exposition exhibits
demonstrating our existing industrial and
educational activities.
United States Government Exhibit.-Con-
gress should be mer|orialized by the Cen
eral Assembly to pass a bill authorizing
a government exhibit at this exposition.
Such an exhibit would celebrate in d way
the one-hundredth anniversary of the es-
adjustment Of the seat OF government at
Washington. which occurred in the year
1900 IL Is hitting this should be done in In
diana. the stepping stone 10 the Western
civilization in 1900, the center of population,
intelligence and wealth in 1900.
SITE o CENTENNIAL BUILDING.
As the best and most available site for
the roposed Indiana centennial memorial
building, we recommend that the two
squares of ground belonging to the State,
containing about eight acres, now occupied
by the Indiana Institute for the Education
of the Blind and by St. Clair Park, bound
ed by Meridian, North, Pennsylvania and
st. Clair streets, in the city of Indianapo-
us. be dedicated to the purpose.
This would require the removal of the
Institute for the Blind probably TO the
large grounds east of the city now owned
by the State. "A movement which has long
been thought desirable.
Such exhibits as can be accommodate on
the above premises during the centennial
should be cared for upon the grounds of
the Indiana State Board of Agriculture. by
an equitable arrangement by which every
feature of its work should be expanded to
the greatest possible extent.
To provide the means to carry out these
plans We that the State, with
out increasing the tax levy, authorize that
20 cents per annum on each 81. GOO valuation
for five t) years be set aside as a centen-
NAL fund for the purpose of constructing a
memorial building. herein mentioned. and
for the purpose of aiding a great centen-
NAL exposition 10 be he'd in indianapolis.
under such laws as may be hereafter en-
acted, beginning May T. in the year 1900.
49, 80 - Nit EiS ~ VI
the act by the President of the United
States creating the Territory OF Indiana,
and to continue six months. The reason
for this recommendation lies i'm the fact
that on a basis of the present levy the in
debtedness of the State is being paid off
at a rate that will e~Xtinguish the entire
debt of the State. it is thought. within six
years. and il is believed by the commission
that a great demonstration of the States
resources at this time would fully Justify
a delay, If necessary, of less than two
years in the final e~xtinguishment of the
State debt. The amount sought to be real
lied by the proposed special appropriation
or 20 cents per annum for five years on
each $1,000 of valuation is about 81, OOO,O 900.
We recommend that the above sum shall
until the city of indianapolis and Marion
county, by proper enactment, shall provide
for the same purpose the sum of $3.50, 900.
authority. III necessary. for such provision
TO be granted by the Legislature.
mat cities: towns and counties be en-
appropriations in aid of local representa-
ton at said exposition and for such other
purposes as may in the same connection
be of local benefit.
PLAN FOR ADMINISTRATION.
We recommend that to control and direct
the expenditure of State funds granted in
aid of said centennial exposition and to
take entire control and management there
shall be appointed by the Governor. within
thirty days of the taking effect of an act
~ " appointment hNe tOIn-
missioners from the State at large. who
shall serve without pay and who shall con-
stitute the council of administration of the
Indiana centennial exposition of 1900. They
shall elect their president and vice presi-
dent.
That said council of administration shall
have full power and authority to determine
the plan and scope of said exposition. sub
5ect TO the conditions and limitations of the
law of the State. They shall provide the
plans and specifications of all buildings in
which to hold said exposition and contract
for the construction of the same under
bids from the lowest responsible bidders.
They shall have full power and authority to
appoint all officers, agents, committees and
employees, define their powers and duties
and fix their compensation, TO prepare a
classification of exhibits and allot space to
exhibitors. to appoint all Judges and ex-
aminerS in the exposition and award all
premiums. medals and diplomas: to pre-
scribe all powers and duties of all persons.
whether employees or exhibitors, connected
with such said exposition. and generally
have full power and authority in control
ling, managing and maintaining said expo
sition in conformity with the law authoriz-
ing the holding of the same.
1t shall further be the duty of the council
of administration to see that the centennial
exposition shall be on a broad and liberal
scale COMFORTING with the honor and dig
nifty of the State, and that TO the greatest
possible extent every interest shall be dis
played in a way that shall best demonstrate
to our own people and to the world our
progress and achievements.
We recommend that there be further APP
pointed by the said council of administra-
ton in each county auxiliary centennial
boards. the members of which shall serve
without pay. whose duty 1t shall be TO
cooperate with the commissioners of the
State at large.
The county auxiliary centennial boards,
in addition to representing their counties on
all occasions. will directly interest their
localities in bringing forward their best
products for exhibitions; to arrange for a
special county day during the exposition;
to stimulate the formation OF societies look
ing to rural. village and town improve
ments calculated TO better the conditions or
living. the planting and care of trees, fruits
and flowers. the beautifying in every
way of the schoolhouse grounds, public
squares and other public and private prem
Uses. streets and county lanes; by the eS-
Establishment of township libraries and the
production in each county OF a complete
county history to be placed in the centen-
NAL exposition: by stimulating more prov
ident and humane management for and bet
ter care of our dependent wards in the va
riouS public aSylumS and homes provided
for them and by the general awakening and
activity i'm every line of progress. plans for
which shall be developed by the council of
administration after il is understood that
the centennial event is TO be celebrated.
In closing this report We submit an eX-
hibit marked a. which will demonstrate
TO the Legislature that our investigation
has extended to every county i'm the State
the people of the State desire to celebrate
this great historical event In 1900: second. IL
so. i'm what manner do they desire to cele-
brate 1t?
The expression, which includes nearly two
thousand letters from citizens representing
Overwhelmingly in favor of the State hold
ing a great centennial exposition i'm 1890,