New-York tribune., 1873-07-02
THE CENTENNIAL OF 70.
PREPARING FOR THE CELEBRATION.

fhEfAhiNNr fOh lhE AEltbhA l1ONs
sTE ORGANIZATION OF THE CENTENNIAL COMN1s-
SION AND BOARD OF FINANCE-rIE PREPARA-
TONS FOR rHE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF
tS76-PROSPKCrs OF THE PROJECT.
sFROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF rHE TRIBUSE.l
PIIuADEIPBIA June S0.-The contemplated Cen
tennial Celebration Of 1876 continues % enross pub
lie attention. IL has become the most cherished
project Of the people Of this city which IS now
commonly termed the Centennial City as that Of
Brotherly Love. The formal transfer Of the ground
for the Exhibition buildings Friday wi. il rs eX
peetsd, be attended by popular display sufficient
10 convince the country that Philadelphia will do
her part in ftlv commemorating the Hundredth
Birthday of the Nation. Az q great deal has Deeh
done here in preparing for the celebration OF 1910
which is not generally known some particulars VIII
De OF interest
THE INCEPTION OF THR ENTERPRISE
The appropriateness OF celebrating the Centennial
of American Independence with more than ordinary
f-stiyitv no doubt suggested itself 10 many minds
but the frst practical suggestions were made IN a
letter Of the Hon. John Bigelow, printed In THE
TRIBUNE. wherein he laid down comprehensive
scheme for celebrating the day with due honor This
directed public attention TO the matter and Gen.
Norton of New-York and Prof Campbell of Indiana
wrote upon the subject the latter designating Phil
Aielpha az best entitled 70 precedence IN preparing
for the celebration. Eventually the Franklin Insti
tute Of the State Of Pennsylvania the first founded
of institutions Of its kind in the country presented
Jan. 90 1870, by the Hon. John l. Shoemaker a
memorial TO the corporation of Philadelphia contain
ing the following statement:
IL will be eXDedent celebrate the Centennial Ami
versary ~ national existence by an international
Exhibition Of Arts, Manufactures and Products OF the
hoped may De obtained within Farmount Park FOR this
pHTpose
The memorial after briefly reciting the part Phla-
delphia bore in the revolutionary struggle, says:
The historical relations alone Of city should en-
tille IL selection for such celebrations but apart
from the claim as the birthplace OF our Government
facilities, and it's abundant means OF accommodation
numbers OF strangers all add 70 its claims for
fitness % be selected tor such purpose
The Select and Common Councils passed resolu-
tions approving of the proposed Exhibition and
asking the needed legislation from Congress Soon
after the Hon D. J. Morrell introduced in the House
of Representatives a bill forming Centennial Com
mission and made an able speech IN support thereof
This measure met with vexatious delays but event
uay was passed. and received the Presidents sig
nature March g. 1sI. The act. as passed. declares
that an exhibition shall be held under the auspices
of the Government Of the United States in Phila-
delphia In 1876 = appoints a Commission 20 consist
of one delegate and one alternate from each State
and Territory whose functions shall contiuue
until the close of the Exhibition and who are TO
"mperintend the plan OF holding it, The Com
missiOners and sternates TO be appointed
by the President the nomination OF the
Governors Of the States and Territories re-
spectively and are 70 receive salary from
the United States Government. The Commission
ordered 70 submit 70 Congress the plan plans
for the bildings' and other details regarding the
project and II is enacted that whenever the Presl
dent shall be informed by the Governor of the State
Of Pennsylvania that provision has been made
for the erection of suitable buildings for the purpose
and for the exclusive control by the Commission
herein provided for Of the prop sed exhibition he
shall make proclamation of the same. and inform
foreign governments thereof. Some delay ex-
perieDced in securing nominations from the
eral Governors but al length all the States and Ter
rltories were represented the Commission f0l
lows