The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-05-27
European Correspon dence.
PApIS Mav7 1a67


TO the Editor ofths Press:
1t must no longer be concealed that the Unit
ed States Department in the Universal Expos
ition is almost failure. Nor is it the fault of
the exhibitors, still less of the articles sent for
exhibition.
In one of my former letters tried to throw
the burden of the blame upon the Imperial
Commission, but, although that Commission
deserves much censure for poor administration
and bad arrangements, this approximate fail
ure is due to the incompetency and indiffer-
enc&Df our chief commissioner N. NJ. Beck
with. If an energetic, competent, loyal man
had been in his stead, the citizens of our Un-
ion would have had no need to blush for the
credit of their country. Some of the finest
pieces Of mechanism ever constructed are here
exposed, the products of American genius. Yet
they are put in such out of the way places and
their owners have been subjected to SO many
indignities and perplexities that they appear
to great disadvantage.
A most beautiful locomotive, surprisingly
powerful and possessing qualities equalled by
none in the Exposition, to say the least, has
been crowded into an outbuilding, where CON-
paratively few people can see it, while the en-
gines of France, England, Belgium and Ger
many occupy prominent positions in the grand
palace, engines too, which are eUery acay infer
ior tbs no fault of the owner of this splen-
did machine that it does not occupy its proper
place in the proper building, for he was one of
the first TO apply for space. Nor is the Impe-
rial Commission responsible for this indignity,
but the sole blame must be shouldered Dy tho
man wlo assumes to be petty tyrant and
who, fromIhis accidental position, has supreme
power over such matters One of our State
Commissioners,-and by the way Mr.. Beckwith
has peremptorily refused to recognize any State
Commissioners, declaring that he has nothing
for them to do-one who at home occupies
deservedly high position, exasperated at this
injustice, lately called on the Chief Commits
sioner and begged that he would apply to tho
Imperial Commission for permission to place
the locomotive in the avenue which divides the
United States department in the Palace from
that of Africa, stating that in the various 9TH
er avenues are placed articles which appropri-
ately represent different nations France"
said he, "has put in one of her avenues gro
tesque monument, covered with monkeys f1d-
ding, quite representative, Italy fills her ave-
nue. with beautiful statuary, equally appropri-
ate, now let us have this powerful, elegant To-
comotive, true exponent OF the 'go ahead
spirit of young America in our avenue" A de-
cided refusal was his response. "Ohp said he
again, 'if could but speak their language, I'd
go before the Imperial Commission, and would
speak to them till their cars would tingle. I'd
tell them that the American flag was insultedl
that American citizens were insultedl and
nd al aati ifl,fin
Leaving the room, he, in spite of his inability
to speak French made his way to the Imperial
Commission and by means OF an interpreter
made known his wants. By this Commission
he was kindly treated and assured that, if he
could get the assent of the United States Com.
missioner, his request should be granted, q fact
which indisputably proves by whose authority
this locomotive occupies its present position
He next proceeded to circulate petition
among the State Commissioners and prominent
exhibitors asking that the locomotive might be
placed in the above mentioned avenve. The
result has not yet transpired, but the incident
shows in some degree what America is compel
led to suffer- L cannot assert that have given
the exact words used by MIR. H, the Com
missioner from "; indeed know have not
represented nor can represent his eloquenco
and earnestness but have given the substance
of the affair as have it fresh from his own lips.
In like manner one of those superior Corss
stationary engines, simple in construction, of
great po @er and which moves so quietly that
person sta1ding within a few feet can hear no
noise from it, is obliged to stand idle and mo-
tionless, while clumsy French continuance,
sufficiently complicated to compel the unbourd-
4 L. ~
machine had been explained to him a its
working shown remarked that he had only one
fault to find with itSit was not complicated
enough-making an incessant clatter. running
very unevenly and not as powerful as desired
furnishes the power for the machinery in the
United Ststes department. 1t is unpleasantto to
write of these things, more so to witness them.
but it is due to the American people that they
be made public and will explain why our ex-
hibitors will not carry home more medals.
The denartments of Russia England and
France in the order as written are nearest
eomn,ete Provokingly slow is the progress of
nronaration. 1t can not be on account of hard
wi that there are so many diminutve peo-
| nle in France for 1 firmly believe that slow
| or class OF workers can not be found. These
| French curriers' can work longer and accom-
| plish less than any people have ever met.
Political Economy seems 10 be perfectly un-
darstcod in Paris in one branch, while anOth-
er equally important is ignored. Division Of
labor seems to have been reduced to its last
stage but the science of economy of labor
seems to have been entirely neglected. To
load q cart with stones takes two men, one TO
pick up the stones, another to pitch them into