L. H. HERSHFIELD,

E. W. BREED.

The discussion that followed was animated and interesting. Hon. Adlai T.
Ewing, the Illinois commissioner, arose to say that he was a dissenter merely
because he was not inclined to favor a specific recommendation. " I do not wish
to be understood as indorsing General Hastings," he declared. President Palmer
beat the sounding board with his gavel. "We are now ready to ballot for direc-
tor-general." The house and galleries hummed and trembled with the moment's
sensation. Mr. Hershfield expressed similar sentiments to those enunciated by Mr.
Ewing, and both reports were tabled for the time. The long communication from
the local board was read at this juncture, stating the preference of that body for
Colonel Davis, and then the speeches began. Seator Sewell, of New Jersey, was
the first to speak. To select a director-general from precincts outside Chicago
was the declaration of Senator Sewell. " We must secure a man of national repu-
tation," he said. "This fair must be nationalized. Colonel Davis is an able man,
but he is connected with the local board and as such will naturally have his mind
biased toward local affairs. He is concerned too much in local affairs and local
institutions. He will not be under our control, but under that of the local board.
Therefore, I beg to present for your consideration the name of a Pennsylvanian, a
man who in a great calamity demonstrated the greatest degree of executive ability
ever displayed in his state." Senator Sewell was talking for General D. H. Hast-
ings and he was applauded. President Palmer, indeed, was busy all day protesting
against applause. Colonel James A. McKenzie, the distinguished Kentucky con-
gressman, whose tongue is hung on threads of silver, said: " I rise to nominate a
man who can fill this position with distinguished ability. I knew him in Congress;
side by side we worked to secure the fair for Chicago. He differs from me polit-
ically, but he can administer the affairs of the office with as little partisanship as

HON. GEORGE R. DAVIS,

DIRECTOR -GENERAL WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR. 55

any man anywhere." Colonel McKenzie made a masterly speech for Colonel
Davis, and won the votes and influence of many commissioners. " Nominate him
in the interest of fairness and prevent friction," said the tall Kentuckian, "We
want no differences at this time. He has received the indorsement of the local
body of the Chicago press, and I take it that is a fair reflex of the best judgment of
all. He is young in years, big in development. Without the hearty support of the
local board and the Chicago press we can hope for no success. I once more pre-
sent the name of Colonel George R. Davis."

Mark L. McDonald, of California, seconded Colonel Davis' nomination. "I
bespeak the approval of the magnificent state of California," said he. P. A. B.
Widener also favored Colonel Davis, but at the same time complimented General
Hastings. E. Kurtz Johnson, of Washington, was the first to disagree. He wanted
the East recognized, he wanted the fair internationalized, he wanted General Hast-
ings. "For the Empire State," said G. W. Allen, of New York, "I want to second
the nomination of Colonel Davis, I feel proud of Chicago. We indorse her and
Colonel Davis. Any city that can put up $13,250,000 is beyond reproach. Chicago
has done this, and I am tired of hearing commissioners speak of this fair as a 'local'
one." Richard Mansfield White, of New Mexico, seconded the nomination of Gen-
eral Hastings, and Mr. Holliday, of Kansas, that of Colonel Davis. General Gro-
ner, of Virginia, congratulated in advance the commission on the choice it would
make, but he favored General Hastings. "Those who know me," said Judge Har-
ris, of Virginia," know that I am under my colleague's control and do as he directs.
But I want to second the nomination of Colonel Davis."

" The gentleman from Connecticut," said President Palmer, pointing his
gavel at Governor Waller. "Mr. President," said the classical Mr. Waller, "early
in our first session I introduced a resolution that the executive committee of this
body and that of the local board should confer together and then report a man for
director general, foreseeing such difficulties as these. I regret that these distin-
guished gentlemen of Chicago were not able to come to some unanimous con-
clusion. If such wisdom had guided them as I think this commission has displayed,
no nomination would have been made except the one indicated by the Chicago
board. Two nominations have been made, one from the executive committee and
one by the gentleman from New Jersey. It has been charged that this exposition
was running into the grooves of partisanship; that it was an administration expos-
ition. There has been no democrat suggested for director general, and I mention
with pride the fact that the political organization to which I belong has suppressed
all partisan feelings in this matter." From house and gallery came applause. " I
always go for a democrat," Governor Waller said, " everything else being equal. I
can't help it; I was born that way. I should have been glad if a democrat had been
a candidate for this position. Our judiciary committee has decided that we have
all the powers; Chicago has nothing. Therefore, I shall vote for Colonel Davis.
If he isn't good enough and fit for the place, Chicago will be the sufferer."

Then the ballot came. The president pounded the commission to order and
the clerk began to call the roll. As each commissioner was called he responded by

56 HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR. \

dropping his ballot in the hats the tellers, Dr. Cochran of Texas and Mr. Bullock
of Massachusetts, held. This ballot the president announced when all had voted.
Ninety-two had voted; forty-seven were necessary to a choice, and the result was:

Davis 50

Hastings 32

McKenzie 6

Stevenson 3

Price i

Mr. McClelland, of Pennsylvania, moved that the ballot be declared regular,
although Colonel Davis.had not been the choice of the Keystone State, and that
the president be directed to cast the ballot for Colonel George R. Davis, of Illinois.
President Palmer put the motion, which carried. President Palmer bent over his
desk to write the ballot and observe the formalities of the occasion, and then the
applause which he had been so long combatting broke out wildly. When it had
subsided Commissioner Hirst, of Florida, moved that a committee of six be ap-
pointed to inform Colonel Davis of his election.

"It is moved that a committee of six be appointed," said the chair, " to wait
on Colonel Davis and inform him of his election."

"And bring him in!" cried a commissioner.

" And bring him in," repeated President Palmer, " that he be put en rapport
with the commission and nationalized."

The motion was carried, and Commissioners Hirst, McClelland, Groner, St.
Clair, Sewell and McKenzie were appointed as the committee. While the com-
mitteemen were after Colonel Davis, Governor Waller introduced a resolution
pledging the commission to adjourn sine die to-day. This was lost. Then Mr.
Hirst and Colonel Davis came, arm in arm, down the aisle, and the chamber rang
with applause. When they reached the desk Mr. Hirst said: "Mr. President, your
committee appointed to notify Colonel George R. Davis of his election as director
general and bring him in here have performed their duty and now present him to
you." Once more the chamber applauded, and President Palmer said: " The chair
will give his right hand of fellowship to Colonel Davis." As he said this, and the
fury of the storm of applause broke forth, Mr. Palmer descended from the desk
and conducted Colonel Davis up to the platform, saying as he did so: "I suppose
it is no breach of decorum to applaud for an occasion like this for two reasons,
that we have gotten through with a very difficult task, and we have gotten a man
who has not been assailed either in the public print, by individuals or by any one
this commission." Then, bowing, the president said:

" I take pleasure in introducing to you our new director general, Colonel
George R. Davis. And may God help him to hold up his hands. Gentlemen,
Colonel Davis."

When the ringing shouts ceased Colonel Davis advanced and, throwing back
his long white locks, said:

" MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION: Your com-
mittee has just notified me of the distinguished honor that you have conferred upon

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR. 57

me this morning. The selection made from Illinois and Chicago is complimentary
to the city and State, and for the Local Board of Directors, for my city, my State,
and myself I sincerely thank you. The selection of the director-general from
untried men — men who have not had great experience — was a task for you to per-
form in which I most heartily sympathize with you. It is necessary in selecting a
man for this position that you take much for granted, for an exhibition of an anni-
versary that comes only once in a hundred years leaves you but few men to select
from who have had great experience.

"In the discharge of the duties of this great office I will bring it all the physical
and mental forces that I command. The conduct of the office shall be of high
grade, and it shall be my duty to conform strictly and in every detail to the wish
of this distinguished body. Politics have been referred to, and as I understand the
position I desire to say one word in regard to that- and that is that I cannot
recognize that the constituency that elects me here to-day consists of one-half
Republicans and one-half Democrats. It will be the duty of an honorable man to
so conduct his office in his intercourse with all who come in connection with him —
inthe appointments that he has to make — to recognize the fact; and from the fact
that it was a suggestion of my own, formulated by myself, and favored by myself
when it was put in the Act of Congress, recognized as ' the spirit of the Act of
Congress,' I will not, as your director-general, in any way fail to observe it in.
every particular.

" The office will be conducted strictly upon business principles. I recognize
that you require in all such officers as may be placed under my command the highest
talent, the best ability, and the greatest capacity that we can command; that it is a
National Exposition and an International Exposition and not a Local Exposition;
that we will draw our forces from the country, draw our forces from wheresoever
they may come, provided they are equal to the emergency.

The administration of my office will be an example, so far as it is possible for
me to make it such, of the application of legal principles to business methods with
military discipline. I thank you, gentlemen, for the compliment, and am prepared
to enter upon the duty."

Col. George R. Davis was born in the town of Palmer, Mass., in the year
1840, the son of Benjamin and Cordelia (Buffington) Davis, the former a native of
Ware, Mass., and the latter a member of a well known Quaker family of ConnectU
cut. George attended the public schools, and in other respects passed his boyhood
after the manner of New England boys, and later prepared for college, graduating
from Williston Seminary at Easthampton. This was just prior to the opening of
the War of the Rebellion, so that instead of entering college, as he had anticipated,
he, at the age of twenty-two,- responded to the call for volunteers, and enlisted in.
the army as a private in Company H, Eighth Regiment Massachusetts Infantry,
By gradual promotion he rose to the rank of captain, and in that capacity served
with the Eighteenth Army Corps in the North Carolina campaign until August.
1863. Resigning his commission, he now returned to Massachusetts, clothed with
proper authority, and recruited and organized a battery of light artillery. From

58 HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

this he was soon transferred to the Third Regiment Rhode Island Volunteer
Cavalry, with the rank of major, and commanded it until the close of the war in
1865. After the war was over, Col. Davis received an appointment in the civil
department of the regular army, and was attached to the Department of the Mis-
souri, of which General Shericfen was then in command. He served in the West
with General Sheridan in the Indian campaign of 1868 and 1869, of which the en-
gagement at the headquarters of the Washita was the most decisive, resulting in
the defeat and routing of the famous chief " Black Kettle " and his band.

Col. Davis was on duty at the headquarters of General Sheridan when that
commander was stationed in Chicago in 1869, and continued his connection with
the army until May i, 1881, when he resigned and took up his residence in Chicago,
where he has made his home ever since. Col. Davis has always been a staunch
Republican, and since his residence in Chicago has held a conspicuous place in the
councils of his party as a recognized leader. He was elected to the United States
Congress from the Second District of Illinois in 1878, and re-elected for the two
succeeding terms. As a congressman Col. Davis naturally took a prominent and
leading place, and was one of the few of Chicago's representatives to that body
whose efforts in behalf of their constituents were crowned with success. Among
the important acts of legislation in which he took a prominent part, it is but just to
say that securing a large appropriation for improving the Chicago harbor was
chiefly due to his efficient and faithful work. In 1886 he was elected county
treasurer of Cook County, Illinois, for a term of four years. When it was decided
by Congress to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of the landing of Columbus
on American soil by a World's Exposition Col. Davis was one of the foremost in
the promotion of the enterprise. A man of fixed opinions, iron will, unfaltering
perseverance and unusual executive ability, he at the same time possesses a tireless
energy, and whatever he attempts stops at nothing short of its attainment. He is a
man of great personal magnetism, courteous yet dignified in manners, generous,
kind-hearted and genial, and has always attracted to himself many warm friends.
With his splendid qualities of mind and heart he combines a finely proportioned
physique, being strong in structure and of robust constitution. He is a handsome
man in both form and feature, and a mass of iron-gray hair gives a distinguished
air to an otherwise striking personality. Col. Davis was married in 1867, to Miss
Gertrude Schulin, of New Orleans, Louisiana, by whom he has two sons and four
daughters.

When the new Director-General had concluded his speech, and the hilarity
of the occasion had become subdued, President Palmer announced the standing
committees as follows, in which there have been no material changes:

Committee on Judiciary, Rules and By-Laws—William Lindsay, Commis-
sioner-at-large, Chairman; G. V. Massey, Delaware; J. W. St. Clair, West Virginia;
William J. Sewell, New Jersey; B. B. Smalley, Vermont; L. Gregg, Arkansas;
O. R. Hundley, Alabama; P. Allen, Jr., Wisconsin.

Committee on Tariffs and Transportation — V. D. Groner, Virginia, Chair-
man; W. Aiken, New Hampshire; C. M. Depew, New York; W. McClelland,

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR. 59

Pennsylvania; M. H. Lane, Michigan; J. D. Adams, Arkansas: L. Brainard, Con-
necticut; A. B. Andrews, North Carolina; L. Lowndes, Maryland; O. R. Hundley,
Alabama; J. W. Haines, Nevada; G. C. Sims, Rhode Island; H. H. Mclntyre, Ver-
mont; T. C. Gutierres, New Mexico; H. P. Rucker, North Dakota; E. Martin,
Nebraska.

Committee on Foreign Affairs— C. M. Depew, New York, Chairman;
Thomas M. Waller, Connecticut; G. V. Massey, Delaware; A. A. Wilson, District of
Columbia; R. C. Kerens, Commissioner-at-large; C. H. Way, Georgia; M. H. Lane,
Michigan; D. B. Penn, Louisiana.

Committee on Fine Arts — A. G. Bullock, Commissioner-at-large, Chairman;