The national Republican., 1867-01-26
The Paris Exposition.

The following letter from the United
States Commissioner General for the Paris
Exposition contains matters of importance
to oil who are interested in the exhibition;
Mr.. BEcKwIrn TO Mn. USHER.
tCOPy transmitted By Mr. Beck with to the seersary Of
State Tor his Information.
Pans, December 8, 1866.
SIR: The documents issued by the imperial
commission relating to the various classes Of
prizes were published by the Government at
Washington in June last, (3 series, page 43,)
but the new class Of prizes does not seem TO
have attracted much attention in the United
States.
The new class is nevertheless most import
ant Of all. 1t Is not composed Of the mate
rial products Of industry, but relates 10 the
source Of all industrial productsyviZ: the pro-
ducers, II Is composed Of the persons, es-
tablishments, or localities which have devel-
oped in remarkable manner good order and
harmony, and the material moral and intel
lectual well.being Of the werkmen and
laborers. .
The prizes are comparatively large, ten Of
10000 francs each, and one OF 100, 900 francs,
which indicates the Importance attached to
the subject
Material improvement precedes all other
improvements, and is the source OF them.
Associations and organizations which com
bine the sciences and industrial arts with
labor and skill, augmenting the productive
ness Of both in an eminent degree; and at
the same time improving the condition OF
the laborers, are among the most important
institutions Of the time, and they are with
out parallel in any past civilizations.
This new quality is, that they not only
make the rich richer, but they make the
poor richer result which was never before
studied ner attained and in place Of indus.
trial populations devoted TO immortality and
poverty, we have now thriving communities
acquiring properties and education, and
rising constantly in their material, moral
and intellectual condition.
These organizations are not the result Of
accident or the mere growth Of time, but
they are the combined product Of the ablest
thinkers, the best judgments, highest mo-
ives, superior science-the practical skill and
the solid knowledge Of the age.
Each country makes its own development
in conformity with its condition and its wants,
and the attempt to bring together the most
successful Of these Institutions, to be care
fully studied and compared by competent
men, cannot fail to be instructive and useful.
We have many industrial establishments
which, properly presented, might compete
successfully for tie prizes; but whether sue
cessfully or not, they could not fail TO i'm
prove by the competition.
The reports of these should contain their
organization, administration, capital number
Of hands Of both sexes, their ages, wages,
schools, libraries, churches, charities, publica-
tions, banitary regulations, plans. marriages
| births, deaths, savings and accumulations,
investments, quantity and value Of raw prod
ucts, value and quantity Of manufactured
products, dividends, and, in fine. all the i'm
portant facts relating to these small commu.
mites as II they were States.
These should be tabulated and briefly and
accurately stated, to facilitate the under
standing Of them and the comparisons
Similar reports will be sent in from all
civilized countries, and will be submitted to
the study Of special jury of twenty-five
men, selected for the purpose from the diff
ferent nations, and where labor has no con-
nection with class, juries, or products.
This jury commenced their work on the
LIST December, (instant,) and will continue it
through the winter, that they may complete
their reports and render their verdict in May,
in time for the general distribution OF prizes
in July next.
Our representative on this special duty is
Charles Q. Perkins, Esq, Of Boston, o gen.
tleman whose cultivation, general knowledge,
studious habits, and acquaintance with CONT.
mental languages qualify him for the labor,
and whose circumstances permit him 10 de-
vote the requisite time TO it.
The reports, in conformity with the regu-
lations, should all have been sent in by the
lst Of December; but the jury resolved at
their first meeting to remain open a short
time longer, and will probably fix the last
day for receiving reports at their next meet
ing, Of which will notify you II this sub
ject appears to you of sufficient interest tc
call for your exertiOns, be assured that any
reports which you may send me, if received
in time, will be clearly and amply developed
to the jury by Mr.. Perkins, and receive the
consideration they may merit; but neet
not dwell on the necessity Of immediate &C
ton.
Your obedent servant,
n. M. BECKwITH,
United States Commissioner General.
j. NJ. USHER, Esq, Boston, Mass.