16 New York at the "Woeld's Coltimbian Exposition. 



all needful information report to the Governor with the recommendation 

 as to the amount of appropriation deemed necessary to provide for the 

 needs of the people, and to suitably represent the character and greatness 

 of this the greatest State of the Union. In that way the Governor and 

 Legislature can be promptly and adequately advised, and be able intelli- 

 gently to provide appropriate legislation. Legislative provision for New 

 York's exhibitors and visitors without such information would in all proba- 

 bility result in grievous disappointment. So much for New York State. 



More important than any other purely financial question is that which 

 relates to aid from the general government to the Columbian Exposition. 

 My views upon the subject are very decided, after much reflection. 



That the exposition is in need of and must have financial aid, and 

 that with reasonable promptness, is quite beyond the realm of controversy 

 or question. I venture to assume that the general government will give 

 heed to the necessity of the case and grant the required aid in some form. 



But in what form ? That an adequate loan of any required amount 

 can be secured from the government by the pledges of the revenue of the 

 exposition, derived from the admission of visitors, for the payment of the 

 debt, at such time and manner and under such regulations as may be 

 determined upon, is feasible, and without doubt can be accomplished. 



It can be easily demonstrated that such security would be ample to 

 indemnify the government against loss or hazard, and if so it may be 

 safely assumed that such aid would be easily within reach. 



It has been suggested by some, and by others urged, that the govern- 

 ment should be requested to make an appropriation of the public money 

 in aid of the exposition; a gift as distinguished from a loan. This propo- 

 sition, I am assured, will meet with decided opposition, and justly so in 

 my judgment. Many reasons will be urged against this method of relief, 

 but of them all I refer to but one, and that will be held sufficient. 



It has not passed out of the memory of the general public that when 

 the question of locating the place for the World's Columbian Exposition 

 was before Congress, New York State was' a vigorous bidder for the con- 

 tested honor and prize, and she came with an indemnity backed by her 

 millionaires, unquestioned and unquestionable, undertaking to assume all 

 financial burdens and responsibilities, and to preserve the general govern- 

 ment harmless in any emergency. Who doubts for a moment that that 

 undertaking would have been faithfully kept ? Who doubts that the city 

 and State of New York would have, with prodigal hand, made ample pro- 

 vision for all exhibitors, foreign and domestic, out of their own purse ? 



No one then doubted that Chicago meant what she proposed. No 

 one doubted but the promoters of the Chicago interest were able, and 



