The Saint Paul globe., 1898-03-04
WITH GIBBS PRESIDENT
MINNESOTA,S OMAHA EXPOSITION
COMMISSION ORGANIZES
1t Was Decided That $4,000 Shall
BE Expended in Making an Ex-
hibit-Just What This VIII En-
brace Remains II oi BE Determined
Later-Prospectiy Plans.

The commission appointed by Gov
Clough, recently, to arrange for a
proper representation of Minnesota
products at the Trans Mississippi ex-
position, held it's first meeting yester-
day in the governors Office at the cap
itol.
An organization was perfected, and
plans looking to the securing of funds
and exhibits from this state was out
lined. The following officers were
elected at the afternoon session.:
President ]. l.. Gibbs Freeborn county.
Vice President-R. A. Kirk. St. Paul.
Secretary-E. C. Danforth, Minneapolis.
Treasurer-W. D. Kirk. St. Paul.
Executive Committee-C. H. Graves, Du-
luth; A. T. stebbins. Rochester; E. J.
Phelps, Minneapolis.
The officers Of the association and
the executive committee will act to-
gether in the administration of the af-
fairs Of the association.
The following commissioners were
present:
Hamlin. R. A. Kirk and c. P. Noyes, St.
Paul; E. ]. Phelps, W. w. Heffelhnger, L.
e. Pryor, J; Newton Mind and E. L. Dan
Rochester; H. Wilson. Faribault; ]. H.
Rich, Red Wing; John L. Gibbs, Geneva;
e. G. Valentine. Breckenridge; George Per-
l..
Gov. Clough explained the reasons for
having appointed the commission. The
failure of the legislature to make an
appropriation for the exhibit was due
to a general misunderstanding as to
| the scope and Importance of the expo
sition. He was of the opinion that
Minnesota could not afford to miss be-
ing represented, and the commission
| should see to it that the exhibit was
a credit tn CT hp1iaUa6 "a
$4,000 would be sufficient to pay the
expenses, and there was no doubt that
the next legislature would reimburse
| those who advanced the funds. The
| advance would be in the nature Of a
| loan.
George R. Finch had travelled over
| the state and everywhere had been
met with the suggestion that the coun-
| ties be asked to guarantee the amount
needed, as at the time of the world s
| fair.
| Gov. Clough believed that was the
| most practicable way Of raising the
| funds. The fact that the legislature
had promptly repaid counties after the
worlds fair would be a guarantee tC
| experience of twelve years in and about
| the legislatures Of this state had taught
| him that the legislators would not be
| backward about reimbursing those who
| advanced the funds for a project SO I'M
portant.
The meeting was organized by the
election of E. J. Phelps, of Minneapolis
as chairman, and E. L. Danforth as
secretary.
The greater part of the morning was
spent in an informal discussion Of the
scope of the exhibit and the best meth
DDS of raising funds and collecting the
articles.
1t was the unanimous opinion that
there should be an educational eX-
hibit, and that alltof the varied re-
sources of the state should be shown to
the best possible advantage.
j. Newton Mind, on behalf of Mcleod
g. Lamereaux, fMinnea apolis architects
presented the plans for neat state
building in cottage form, to be erected
of undreSsed logs of the various woods
| produced in this state, finished with
| Minnesota lumber stone and iron rub
| ble in short, to be0a complete exhibit
| in itself of the states building mater
| ials.
The plan conten1plates two large
| rooms, one for men and the other for
women, reception hall, a music stand
and broad piazzass surrounding the
| whole building! There will be ample
room also for the exhibit Of agricultural
products of all kinds. 1t was estimat
ed that the building could be erected
| on the grounds for $4,000 The plans
were bequeathed to the executive COM
mitttee, which will be appoiRted to
| take charge of all the details.
| The question of permanent chair
man was taken up.
| John L. Gibbs suggested that the del
egations from Ramsey and Hennepir
| counties get together and select one O!
their number or some other resident