Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-02-21
THE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.
Meeting Of the Board, and Their
Action.
HOW the uaehiaery works.

Yesterday the Board of Centennial Com
miss ion convened in the Governors office
at the Capitol, present Messrs. L. 81. Cold
well, Bale Peyton, Geo. L. Lswis, w. III.
Stevens, ]. NJ. Stafford, w. Y. Elliott, j. b
Killebrew, w. f. Prosser, Rev. DR.. Charl-
ton, j. Nixon Vandyke, and others.
Letters were read from various members
of the Board, among them Gov. John O.
Brown, regretting their inability to attend
the meeting.
The object of the meeting was explained
by Mr.. I. H.Coldwell, and communication
sent to the General Assembly asking at
what time it would be most convenient fol-
that body to hear an address upon the sub
ject of the centennial celebration by Col.
Bale Peyton.
Col. Geo. 7. Lewis suggested that in adj
dition to what had been already so graph
ically mentioned by Prof. Stafford, the mete-
reological reports for Tennessee be repre-
scented in the centennial exhibition. These
reports could be had as far back as 1852,
and the climate of. Tennessee compares
most fayorsbly with other States.
One gentleman wanted to know if it
did not cest some money to collect articles
for exhibition, and asked where the money
wss TO come from.
Col. Lewis said if the Legislature did not
have pride to make an appropriation, and
the people were unwilling to sustain the
appropriation, the S ate did not desire to
be repres anted,
Another member stated that 1t was
probable the Governor would make sug-
gestion relative to an appropriation by the
Legislature; unless such appropriation was
made, and in the event the United States
Government dil not make an appropris-
ton, the State could not be well repre-
sented.
Another member thought it best to
make large map showing the various
natural resources tof the State, the togo
graphical features and geographical rela-
tons of coal and other mines, to railroad
lines, cities, etc.
HOW THE MACHINERY WORKS.
Gen. Meek made few remarks in rela-
ton to the method by which it was pro-
posed to conduct the exhibition. He want
ed to know whether the government was
going to make general appropriation or
whether it was to be q S10,000,000- stock
concern. He saw how it could be made q
moDeyed enterprise, and it would be neees-
sary to get on the s'inside" in order to reach
any of the pecuniary benefits. He oppos-
ed the enterprise if it were to be conducted
through private subscription, and would be
conducive of pecuniary profit to the corpo-
rators. He thought it we'll to look into this
| fact and understand it before asking an ap-
preparation. He did not understand how
the machinery was to be worked, whether
for the good of the country and through pa
r., ha hor Of fko
poratOrs and only for the sake of making
money.
Col. Lewis stated that at fermer meet
ing the Board opposed the idea of the cele-
bration being conducted for money making
purposes and by private subscriptions. This
Board wanted to have the enterprise con-
Quoted on a patriotic basis and for tie
good of the country.
Col. Prosser gave a succinct history of
the origin Of the proposed celebration,
which was not to be conducted as a stock
jobbing concern or as g money making
scheme. In order to avoid this result Con-
gress had added the Financial Board to the
Centennial Commission, and knowing the
enterprise would require large amount of
money, had authorized the issue of stock
to The amount Of 100000, in one mill
lion shares of so; an amount which, if as
sessed equally among the people, would not
require more than 25 cents from each per-
son. Because of the impoverishment
caused by the war, and from other causes,
it was not expected that Tennessee or any
of the Southern Sta es would be able to
contribute their quota, and it might be nee
essary to call On Congress to supplement
heir appropriation in the year 1874.
Gen. Meek said, while he did not yield
his loyalty or love Of country to any one,
be did not think the Government Of the
United States should make the Centennial
celebration an occasion for public trade. He
wanted to see the people en- nadSse cele-
brating the one hundred.h anniversary Of
this country. He wanted to sac the Gov
eminent make national appropriation for
this purpose, aud the Government should
manage and govern the celebration. lie
did not think any stock company should
control it.
Col. Prosser stated that there was no
rover conferred on Congress by which it
could enter into corporation for such an
exhibition Congress could only appoint
Centennial Commission, which would
have control of the stock company. If
Tennessee did not have st0ckin the enter
prise, she should be represented there.
Col. Bale Peyton stated that the mode
of celebrating the occasion had already
been prescribed by Congress, and the
Board had no power to change it. Con-
gress merely intended to ascertain the wish
of the people in regard to their desire to
celebrate the anniversary. 1t might be
that men who had money and subscribed
stock, might be enabled to manage the at,
fair and impose upon the people. He be-
lieyed, however, that only the men sub
scribing money could be imposed upon, as
the exhibition was TO be controlled by the
respective members of the centennial
Board of Commissioners from each State
and Territory, who had no pecunlary in
terest in the enterprise. He believed there
was enough of public spirit and patriotism
among the people to have the celebration
properly conducted. The exhibitors should
not be charged for exhibiting their goods.
1t would be like making the fiddler pay for
the dancing. 1t were folly to think that
the persons whom it is said would engage
in the enterprise for purposes of speculation
would seek to exclude any attractive artl-
cles ftom exhibition or deter people from
attending.
Col. Prosssr stated that not only had Pen
syl5annia and Tennessee taken action in
the matter, but that Oregon more than
year ago had made an appropriation OF
$4,000 to pay the incidental expenses OF the
enterprise.
1t vas stated by Mr.. Coldwell that several
territories have taken action in the matter.
Col. J. B. Kiliebrew stated that he had
received letter from Philadelphia, to the
effect that Tennes. ee had evinced more
spirit in the subject than any other State,
and he had sent forward numerous copies
of the catalogue of articles Tennessee could
exhibit and published by Prof. Stafford.
Tie committee appointed to wait on the
General Assembly, reported that this body
had designated this afternoon (the 21st) as
the time agreeable for the members to hear
the address of Col. Bale Peyton.
The Board adjourned to meet at 7 O'Clock
at the Maxwell House.
NIGHT SESSION.
Pursuant to adjournment the Board of
Commissioners and Financial COrporators
met in the parlers of the Maxwell House.
A large number of members were present.
The Secretary read an address of the Exec
utiVe Committee in regard to subscriptions
to the Centennial Commission. After
some discussion on the finance question,
Col. Peyton submitted the matter of pre-
pairing samples and specimens of iron and
other mineral ores. Col. Killebrew made