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The advertising matter issued on account of the State fair was largrely in 

 excess of that of any previous year, and that the board may have more defi- 

 nite ideas as to the magnitude of this work, your secretary invites an inspec- 

 tion of the following table: 



Also an endless number of newspaper notices. The thanks of the board 

 are due to the newspapers of the State for their liberal treatment of the fair. 



The above named matter was distributed throughout the State by mail, 

 express and by one of the most reliable advertising agents of the State. 



During the last session of the General Assembly there was a bill introduced 

 by Hon. Thomas Rinaker which became a Jaw. Your secretary quotes the 

 same in full, that you may be fully advised as to its provisions, and suggests 

 that some action should be taken at this meeting authorizing the committee 

 on rules to act for this board in all matter pertaining to such removal. 



A bill for an act making an appropriation for building a State arsenal, 

 armory and museum in the city of Springfield, 111., and providing for the 

 control thereof. 



Whereas, The old State arsenal, located at the city of Springfield, and 

 built in the year 1855, is entirely inadequate for present military purpose; 

 and 



Whereas. Large sums are annually being paid out of the State treasury 

 for armory rent, light and fuel for the military organizations located at the 

 city of Springfield, which might be saved by the construction of a suitable 

 armory; and 



Whereas, The demand for more room in the State House may be easily 

 and economically met by removing from it to a suitable building the Agricul- 

 tural and Natural History Museum; and 



Whereas, Divers citizens of the city of Springfield have offered to donate 

 to the State of Illinois, block eighteen (18) of the old town plat of the city of 

 Springfield, State of Illinois, excepting so much thereof as is already owned 

 by the State of Illinois, to be ut^ed by it in part as a site for an arsenal, armory 

 and museum building; therefore 



Section 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois represented 

 in the General Assembly: That a Board of Commissioners, to consist of the 

 Governor, Secretary of State and Auditor of Public Accounts, is hereby con- 

 stituted for the purpose of planning, constructing and controlling a State 

 arsenal, armory and museum on said block eighteen (18) of the old town plat 

 of the city of Springfield, State of Illinois, for the use of the Illinois National 

 Guard. 



g 2. Said Board of Commissioners shall exercise the general manaeement, 

 control and supervision of all matters pertaining to acquiring the said site 

 and the erection of said arsenal, armory and museum, and shall make and 

 authorize to be made the necessary contracts for the building, fitting^, labor 

 and material required to accomplish the purposes of this act, and shall pay 

 the costs and expenses of the same, from the funds hereinafter appropriated 

 for that purpose. 



The said board shall also, upon the completion of said building, make to 

 the next General Assembly of this State a full and detailed report of (he 

 transactions and expenditures of said board in discharge of the duties im- 

 posed upon said board by this act. 



5 3. The sum of one hundred and fifty thousand (150,000) dollars is hereby 

 appropriated, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to defray the cost and 



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