New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-17
CENTENNIAL PROSPECTS.

PHILADELPHIA ARoUsED-INsrANr EFFORT DE-
MANDED-rHE ATTITUDE or C0NGREss-rwo
MILLIONS TO BE SOUGHT FROM THE LEGIsLA-
TURE AND THE CITY COUNCILS
PHILADELPHIA, March 18.-After long wait
ne to Congress would aid in tho work. the people
of philadelphia are aroused the necessity Of pushing
the centennial scheme to practical beginning.
To-day on the call of about so OF the wealthlest rep
resentayes Of leading interests in the city,
large number Of citizens gathered in Independence
square John wnamaker stated that the subscriptions
thus far obtained or pledged were:
From citizen, 81 900 900 From Cr Councls.... s5OO0O0
From pilrosis 100000 From tue Stste'l oOOOoO
Resolutions we're then introduced and passed pedgng
the efforts OF all good citizens to raise an additional mil
lion and asking City Councils to vote also additional
million The principal speech OF the meeting delivered
by WIN. " MoKean one OF the Board OF Finance.
He seemed impressed with the necessity OF In
slant action by the citizens. or the Centen-
NAL at Philadelphia would Inevitably fal'
The Board or Finance being honest business
men would not sign contracts for buildings until they
know that the money would be forthcoming He urged
further that there not day to DO lost Tho picks
and shoyels ought to DO the ground to-day and the
foundation men, brick men, carpenters, and oil tho
varied trades incident the construction of so large
budng ought TO begin work by tho st OF April or else
Vienna and its notifications and failures would be re-
peatod in Philadelphia
Thomas 8. Harrison spoke as large taxpayer ana
asked the City Councils to authorize an additional loan
Other gentlemen made stirring speeches, and tho only
sen OF inharmonious action shown by George w.
Ward representing committee to COLLECT subscriptions
from the Knights Of Pythas One clause In the pream-
ble To the resolutions expressed confidence IN u innate
AID from Congress-" Mr. Ward moved to strike out this
clause as 1t evidently an insncere EXPRESSION lie
thought citizens had such confidence In congress
That body had provided the very beginning that they
shonId be at no expense the matter and now they
had reiterated this sentiment by vote OF 81 TO II In the
Senate. - ...- al. IT,.
vote referred did not indicate refusal to grant an
appropration lie would oppose the amendment as an
insult 10 Congress. Though the amendment OF Mr..
ard advocating sefreiance and no further expocta-
tatons from Congress was defeated, his view VI the
subject made considerable impression. Nothing more
nractca was effected by tho meeting than the appoint
ment OF committee to lay their views before the Coun
clls and the State Legislature, LON winch sources
~ 900 900 more are expected.
AN ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF AN APPROPRIATION BY
CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, March 49, - Representative
Hawley OF Connecticut President of the Centennial
Commission, made speech before the Senate Commit
tee on Appropriations to-day, in favor Of an sppropr
alton for the Exposition. Numerous questions were
asked by the Committee. There present OF those
connected with the Commission Messrs Goshorn. Welch
Sellers Petit Vaux Radiord. Pratt. and Spooner.
Mr. WEIGH presented the financial statement OF the
Commission.