Government. The purpose of this rule, let
me say to you, ladies, was to preserve ordinary system in the
transaction of the business that must be dispatched very
rapidly, and must be dispatched under a system.

The observations I have here made seem to about cover, for the
present, at least, the matters that will come up before you for
consideration:

First. The scope of your work, unlimited by this Commission,
save in the particulars prescribed in the law, to that which is
in whole or in part made up of woman's work.

Second. After determining the scope, the field within which you
will act, and the rules that govern your officers, you will be
called upon to determine other questions from time to time--the
matter of investment, the matter of a special building, which
shall be the ladies' home, and other questions such as may seem
to you to be meet and proper.

I am quite sure that throughout this space of time--two or three
years--during which we are working together, you will find it
quite easy to get along with this Commission. * * * Let me make
this suggestion here, and one based upon an experience this
Commission has had: You will find, as far as our observation has
been extended, that you have here in the city of St. Louis and
the surrounding country a body of earnest people, charged with a
mighty work--the disbursement of the largest sum of money ever
collected on the globe for an exposition of any kind--larger
than Chicago, Buffalo, and Charleston combined--and the one
overwhelming, all-absorbing thought uppermost in the mind is to
make this exposition a success, commensurate with the mighty
means placed at the disposal of the company, the Commission, and
the board. The weather will be hot and difficulties will come,
tempers will become disturbed, and patience sorely tried, but
throughout it all bear in mind that the man who is somewhat
irritating has simply too much vim and enthusiasm for the
moment.

President Francis, the general counsel, the treasurer, are all
devoting practically their entire time and attention to this
work, and the things already accomplished indicate that their
efforts have been well directed and their work well performed.
It is for you to say, you to determine in a general way, and
upon your good judgment and earnest efforts wil