CHAPTER III.

GEORGE R. DAVIS ELECTED DIRECTOR-GENERAL

Some of the Remarks Made Upon the Occasion — Davis Has a Majority on the First Ballot — His Address
to the Commission— Interesting Sketch of the Life and Service of Colonel Davis — A Brave
Soldier, a Man of Honor and a Renowned Party Leader— He is Endowed With Splendid Qualities
of Mind and Heart — The Standing Committees — Creation of the Great Departments— The Com-
missioners Wrestle With the Sunday Opening Question.

HE second session of the Commission convened September 15,
1890, in answer to the call of President Palmer. Reports
were received from the various committees appointed at the
July session, and were ordered to be printed for future consid-
eration,

In the discussion of a site for the Exposition, the Lake
Front figured prominently as one of the projects, and for
a while its acceptance seemed probable, but July 2, 1890, the
Commission formally accepted Jackson Park and Midway
Plaisance as the site, the Committee on Titles and Facilities
of Transportation having given the matter careful attention.
That committee reported that " so far as the title to Jackson Park and the Midway
Plaisance (embracing 633 acres) is concerned, they believe it is vested in the
World's Columbian Exposition, by the Act of the General Assembly of the State of
Illinois passed at its recent session, and by ordinance of the South Park Commis-
sioners, and is such a title as confers the right to use these parks as a site for the
World's Columbian Exposition during the period required."

Early in the first session the Commission had decided to elect the director-
general upon nomination of the directors of the Exposition, and during successive
meetings up to September igth, the duties aud powers of that office were the sub-
ject of legislation. On that day President Palmer, as chairman of the Executive
Committee, presented the recommendation by the latter body, for the selection of
Colonel George R. Davis; and therewith forwarded communications from the
Executive Committee of the directory:

CHICAGO, September 18, 1890.
HON. THOS. W. PALMER, Chairman Executive Committee, World's Columbian Commission:

DEAR SIR: Acting under the courteous invitation extended by your committee to this
board to express its peference in favor of one of the several candidates whose names are before
you for appointment as director-general of your commission, the subject-matter of your invitation
was submitted to our Board of Directors at a meeting held this evening.

54 HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

After some discussion a vote was taken, r>si-lting in a majority of the board in favor of
Colonel George R. Davis.

This may therefore be received as an expression of the preference of this board upon the
question.

Thanking you and your committee for their courtesy in this matter,

I am, very respectfully yours,

LYMAN J. GAGE,

President of the World's Columbian Exposition.

And Mr. Sewell, of New Jersey, submitted the following form of minority of
the same committee;

The undersigned members of the Executive Committee respectfully dissent from the above
report, and present for the position of director-general, the name of General Daniel H. Hastings,
of Pennsylvania. We believe that he possesses every qualification for this responsible position,
and most earnestly urge that his election will meet the best thoughts of the land, that the Colum-
bian Exposition is in no sense local, and in every sense national.

W. J. SEWELL,

E. KONTZ JOHNSON,

A. T. EWING,