New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-04
o TIE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION AHD
GOVERNMENT AID"

re tAp Bdffer or The TffouHe.
sm, Your article of the 18th inst, under
,he caption above quoted contained much that was
,uss and publospred that cannot forbear from sub
uniting 70 you some facts which show that Gen. Haw
leys announcement that proposition Of Government
ADD was 70 presented to Congress ought not TO have
been surprise to the public 70 members OF either
House Of Congress.
In the nrst place. tho Centennial Commission in Dc
eember ls71 memori1zed Congress On the subject as
viii be seen by reference 10 the Journal OF their pro
seedings On Dec 9rs79, MriLOrng, from the Special
Committee appointed 20 take inso consideration ana
report upon the subject Of memoraznG Congress for
an appropriation for the expenses OF the COMMISSION,
reported the following memorial which was approved
10 e HOAoratle me Senate and House Of Representa-
ices Of tie UHst6d StdtoS Or America
The memorial OF the United states Cenenulal Com
mission appointed under the act OF SUnGess
the One Hundredth Anniversary OF Anglican indie
cent meeting in Philadelphia 1t asoertained by the
reports members rom various parts or the Union
nished sieh material ard as is required for the
pOrtant work with which the Commission has been
charged and that tbe rata stock subscriptions con
templated by the act approved June l. 1872, can
not made in time 20 enable the Commission 70 com
plete ts preliminary arrangements Tor the proposed tx
hibitiOn, that II may, ia all respects o0mport with
the dignity OF Government the character OF It's IN
sttnuons the groSth OF the nation ana lhe grandeur
Of the event which IT is intended 10 commemorate :;
Yeur memorasts therefore, respectfully and earnestly
solicit such assistance from Congress as IN Tvs judgment
be required by the eXgencies OF the case Tor those
preparations now necessary TO be made Tor carrying
into effect the general wish OF the country lnat tno
completion the FIRST century Of its national existence
shall be COMMUNICATED by an Exhibition OF IT'S national
resources their development and OF its progress IN
those which benefit mankind III comparison WIN
those of older nations" Aud your memoriaiisS VIII
ever pray, sc
This memorial wac signed by the Commissioners pres
ent Oh the date mentioned, representing % States and
Territories and presented 70 Congress On the 2st
OF FebruarY 1873, the Isubec Of the need Of Govern
ment again brought 20 the attention OF congress
IA the report Of progress in the Work made 10 that non
orbe body in obedience TO the requirement OF the law
Both of these documents have been widely circulated
Again it has been repeatedly announced In the public
Journals before and SINCE the opening Of the present SEES
SION Of Congress- the Commission would move for
an appropriation. The Legislatures OF North Carolina
Virginia Kentucky Tennessee, New-Jersey, and New
Hampshire have instructed requested their deega-
tons Congress TO support proper appropriations Tor
the purpose; and IT is understood that others Will &c
likewise. Numerous memorials and letters have beer
addressed to Senators and Representatives setting forth
the importance aud necessity OF proper appropriations
The reason for desiring to restrict the bill which
passed the House on the 22d with such approach
20 unanmity, the question of an unmistakaole anS
cordial invitation foreign Governments, was The
urgent necessity for It's passage season to allow
foreign Governments time for Its consideration, accepts
Ance, and for subsequent preparation. The United
States has always received direct and cordial invitations
from the foreign Governments within whose territories
ouch exhibitions held, and it Is well known
that nations are some Tsdiuonaly punctious upOI
points OF etiquette Owing TO accidental defect II
the phraseOlOgy Of the Of March 3, 1871 the Pres
dent was without authority to extend governments
Invitation 70 other This subject requirins
immediate attention, possibly affecting most I'm.
portant element Of the Exhibition and the obligations o.
international courtesy. Yours respectfully,
A. T. GosHoRN, Director General.
Philadelphia Jan. 90, 1874.