New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-03
THREE MILLIONS TO ST1BT WITH

THREE MILLIONS TO Start WITH
Some of the Philadelphia papers were far
from satisfied when, one day last week, the
Centennial Bill went over because neither OF
the Pennsylvania Senators was present to de-
fend it. But on Friday Senator Scott was IN
his place, full of zeal for the cause, and it is
hard to see that the Centennial Commission
gained anything by his presence. MI Summer
had spoken with his usual vigOr against the
international plan, giving the same obvious
reasons for his opposition which have been
several times presented in this paper. If the
reply of Mr.. Scott contained all that could be
said in favor of the project, there would DO no
need of further discussion. He attributed
Mr.. Summers action to BostonIan Jeal-
ousy of the Quaker City. He said that
if the Exhibition failed it would be because
Congress refused to aid it, which may be true
but is not relevant. Lazarus is poor because
Dives declines to divide his balance with him,
bus that is no reason why Dives should divide.
He then went on to formulate the modest de-
mand of tho Board of Finance-only Three
Millions. But they asked at first nothing, and
as their original demand is to their present
one, so will their present one be to the sum
sponsibility of the affair. The lesson of the
Vienna failure is here full of instruction. The
sum mt first appropriated, which it was ex-
pressy stipulated should be final, was about
$3,000,000. The expenses of the Exhibition
amounted to $12,000,OO0, and as the receipts
did not more than cover the current ex-
penses, there is deficit of nine millions to
be provided for out of tho public treasury.
Al. n. al
of hundred gentlemen and politicians will
carry on great enterprise like this with as
much care and rs close economy IN the auto
cratic representatives of an imperial govern
ment especially when the first are Americans
and the latter Germans. 1t is also absurd 70
expect so large receipts in Philadelphia as in
Vienna, as the former city has only our own
country to draw upon, and the latter had tho
whole world. II Congress votes the S3.OOO,OOO
now asked for, it should not be done under any
false pretense of finality. 1t should be con-
sidered merely slight advance to start the
building and engage the faith of the nation.
Mr.. Scott does not take the trouble to conceal
his conviction that this will be the result. He
thinks as cOntemptuousy of the three millions
he asks for as any one else; and prepares the
Senate for the next demand by saying Con-
"gress should not hesitate to appropriate
$4,000, 900, $5,OOO,0OO, or $S,OOO,O0O to make
the Exhibition success" If Congress once
begins to vote money for this purpose, the
last figure mentioned by the Pennsylvania
Senator will soon be passed, and will be
dwarfed by the deficit at the end.
The Centennial Commission are either not
so frank as Mr.. Scott or do not possess his
practical sagacity and foresight. They still
insist, and we give them the benefit of their
statement, that Three Millions is all they want
from Congress. They say that with this sum
secured they can begin building in thirty
days. They claim to have studied the Vienna
and Paris plans Thoroughbred to be in posi-
ton to profit by their merits and to avoid
their errors. They are confident that by their
proposed system Of railway tracks they can
effect the installation of all the material pre-
sented in less time than has hitherto been
possible. The plan adopted being capable of
indefinite enlargement without destroying the
proportions of the building, the Commission
think they can decide as late as the First Of
January, 1876, precisely how much space
will be needed, and can then make
ready the necessary room for foreign exhib
ltOI5' AucJ tucy w pIOpOoo w
have the international show the most promi-
nent feature of the celebration; there are no
costly or magnificent embassies expected;
foreign nations are to be invited to participate
informally for their own good and edifcation.
But we need not say that most of these claims
seem to us excessively sanguine. The hope
that the action of Congress in voting few
millions will stimulate private citizens to con-
tribute great many more, seems to US to rest
on no foundation except the enthusiasm OF
those who entertain it. When Congress has
voted three millions, it will be infinitely easier
to ask for three more, than to collect it in
Hundred Dollar subscriptions from wel-todo
patriots. AS to the participation Of foreign
governments there is ono fact which
contradicts the theory of tho gentle
men of the Commission. With few
exceptions, the world has received our notif-
cation and invitation in silence. This is sim
ply because our Government has not gone
further than it was permitted to go In inviting
the participation Of other nations. Unless it
makes itsolf responsible for tho entire under