The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-01
THE CENTENNIAL.

Interesting Meeting of the Councils Conn
naittee at NOon.
AZ neon to-day a meeting of the Committee
of City Councils on Centennial Celebration was
held in Select Council chamber, John L. Shoe
maker, Esq., in the chair
MIR. Shoemaker presented the following COM
munlcaton from the Hon. A. b. Cochran, chair
man of the Committee on Centennial Celebration
OF the House of Delegates OF Virginia;--
PHILADELPHIA, April TO- ls1l.-John L. Shoemaker,
Esq, Chairman, etc.-Dear sir:-Permlt me to pre-
the Celebration Of Centennial Anniversary OF Ame-
rican Independence, appointed by the Councils OF
the Joint Committee Of the General Assembly OF
Nrgniaswhose visit to your city has just been COM
peted.
The Virginia committee experienced such recep-
ton from you and your conIreres that they desire
the reception Of this token OF their grateful remem
brance. am, very truly, your obedent servant,
ALEXANDER b. COCHRAN.
Mr.. Shoemaker stated that the photograph
was at his office, ready for such disposition as
the committee saw proper to make 1t was an
excellent picture of the entire Virginia CON-
mittee.
The following was also presented and referred:
communication from Jean Louis in relation
to the subject of music.
communication from Professor Carl Gaert-
ner relative to the composition of certain music
for the celebration.
communication from Colonel Frank Etting
relative TO Independence Hall, as follows:-
John L. Shoemaker Esq.,, Chairman, etc.-Slr:-
In view Of the celebration OF the centennial aunver
sary OF the independence of the country, have q
suggestion to make which have reason to believe
meets with your hearty concurrence.
l. The restoration OF the room in which the
Declaration itself was drst introduced and ultimately
signed, to It's original state, or at least as near
the reto as practicable.
Efforts were formerly made to this end but of late
years the dess seems to have been lost sight of,
and this room has become mere depository ef mis-
cellaneOus portraits and objects OF various Sorts
which, though interesting and valuable in them
selves, have no association herewith but seem in
many instances to deface 1t.
2. That every effort should be made to reclaim
the original furniture of the room, to obtain as
far as practicable portraits of the signers not
already in possession of the city.
In reference to two of the original chairs dis
covered by me at Harrisburg I addressed letter
to Governor Curtin in 1865, who promised that
they should be sent back to the hall; but after
an absence of several years from the State |
found that these particular chairs had been over
looked, though the Presidents chair and table
have been restored.
A third chair is owned by the Philosophical
Society and fourth by myself. This last has
the original covering of leather, and has been in
the possession of my family for sixty seventy
wears. 1t has long been my intention to present
it to the city ultimately an intention that shall
gladly carry into effect towards the desired end,
and in which the Philosophical Society may, l
hope, be induced to join.
1t seems to me, frst that some safe place should
be provided POSSIBLY In the same oudng), to which
could be transferred all portraits and relics not
directly apperCanng to the Revolutionary struggle
the Declaration ITSELF and in which could ass be
preserved whatever may be appropriate to q city
museum.
In reference to the additional portraits needed to
complete (as far posshe) the set OF the signers
belonging to the city. more favorable opportunity
scarcely present ITSELF / have reason to believe
for such national purpose, portraits can be pro-
cured from the families on deposit or en permG-
nence in the former artists found to copy with
the glad permission OF the owners.
am, Gear sir,
Very truly and respectfully yours,
FRANK NJ. FITTING,
No. 1915 Spruce street.
Mr.. Shoemaker, referred to special commitree,
composed of such members of the Centennial
Committee as are also members of the Commit
tee on City Property.
Messrs. King, Farera, Shallcross, E. K.
Nichols, and Henry Bunm were appointed as
the committee.
The committee then adinnrned after the con .