8 New York at the World's Columbian Exposition. 



by the Chicago delegation for a month. On the first ballot the vote 

 stood : Chicago, 115 ; ISTew York, 70 ; St. Louis, 61 ; Washington, 68. 

 On the eighth and final ballot Chicago received 157 ; New York, 107 ; 

 St. Louis, 25 ; Washington, 18 ; necessary to a choice, 154. 



The bill was rapidly pushed through the House and Senate, and, on 

 April 28, 1890, was signed by President Harrison. In accordance 

 with the provisions of the bill, on the nomination of Governor David 

 B. Hill, the President appointed Chauncey M. Depew, of New York, 

 and John Boyd Thacher, of -Albany, National Commissioners, with 

 James Roosevelt and James H. Breshii, of New York, as alternates. 

 Gorton W. Allen, of Auburn, was appointed one of the commissioners 

 at large, with General Louis Fitzgerald, of New York, as alternate. 

 Mr. Allen served as fourth vice-president of the World's Columbian 

 Commission, and Mr. Thacher as chairman of the Executive Committee 

 on Awards. 



Banquet Given by New York's National Commissioners. 



For eighteen months nothing of consequence was done towards 

 securing a proper representation at the fair of New York's industries. 

 Two bills -^^^ere introduced in the Legislature of 1891 by Senator Lis- 

 penard Stewart, creating a board of commissioners, and making an 

 appropriation for the presentation of the State's interests at the fair ; 

 but the first was allowed to die, and the second, after being favorably 

 reported from committee, was never pushed to a third reading. This 

 apathy indicated no indifference to the success of the fair, for, with 

 one or two exceptions, the press of the State was in its favor, while the 

 sentiment of the people was pronounced in its good will. The delay 

 arose rather from Congress' fixing the date of opening for May 1, 1893, 

 one year later than the actual anniversary, thus giving the impression 

 of much more time, and princiiJally from an inadequate idea of the 

 amount of work actually necessary to arouse exhibitors and prepare for 

 a complete exposition of the State's resources. 



In this emergency, the complimentary dinner given in New York at 

 Delmonico's, December 21, 1891, by the National Commissioners for 

 New York, Messrs. Depew, Allen and Thacher, did much to set right 

 the attitude of the State in the eyes of the nation. It was given at 

 their own expense, and, as expressed by the invitations, " to consider 

 New York's duty and interest as they are related to the World's Colum- 

 bian Exposition to be held in Chicago, May, 1893." Over 100 guests were 



