No. 4.] ADDRESS OF GOV. RUSSELL. 19 



be held, I am certain that the people of this Commonwealth 

 are unanimous in their loyalty to the fair, and their 

 determination that it shall be a success, and that Massa- 

 chusetts at that fair shall be creditably and honorably repre- 

 sented. I do not believe that Massachusetts is going- to fail 

 to make a generous appropriation, and to do all that may 

 be necessary to make her exhibit a creditable one. Far more 

 important is it that Massachusetts should show there all that 

 she has, — and she has more, I believe, than any State in the 

 Union to show, — far more important is it that she should 

 make a worthy and honorable exhibit, than that she should 

 save a few dollars or a few thousands of dollars in the ex- 

 pense. Now, among the many things in which Massachusetts 

 is interested, agriculture stands forth as one of the most 

 important. It seems to me that I cannot urge upon you too 

 strongly the importance of this Board considering what sort 

 of an exhibit the agricultural interests of Massachusetts 

 shall make at that World's Fair. As you may know, it was 

 my pleasure to appoint on our commission one member who 

 I believe distinctly represents the agricultural interests of 

 the State. I know that all that he can do will be done to have 

 a worthy exhibit ; but still I feel that the power lies with 

 this Board of determining how successful that exhibit 

 shall be, and I can conceive of no more important 

 work that this Board can do than either now or at some 

 later meeting carefully and methodically to consider what 

 the exhibit shall be, and make plans to see that your ideas 

 are carried out. I know that any suggestions you may have 

 to make will come with great weight to the Legislature, 

 if action by that body is necessary ; and I am sure they will 

 come with greater weight still to the World's Fair Com- 

 mission, who are only too anxious to enlist the support of 

 bodies like this in helping them in their work. 



And now, Mr. Secretary, I have trespassed quite long 

 enough on the time of this Board. Let me close as I began, 

 by extending to you not only my personal good wishes, but 

 the heartiest welcome of the old Commonwealth, and her 

 earnest desire that this meeting may result in great good to 

 agriculture, and so in great good to her. 



Now, gentlemen, perhaps you know that the Governor of 



