Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-05-19
THE CENTENNIAL.
Meeting OF the Board for Maine.


half past four o'clock. The entire board
were present. rs follows Joshua Nye
OF Augusta, Charles P. Kimball of Port
land, James III. McMullen of Biddeford,
+. T. Shaw of Paris. Edwin Spraguc OF
Rockland. Charles W. Roberts OF Bangor,
and w. ii. Simpson of Belfast.
The object of the meeting was to or
ganize and consider plans Tor carrying
out the object OF the commission in max
ing arrangement for the fitting represen-
tation of Maine in the great exhibition.
Hon. Joshua Nye called 10 order. and
on his motion Hon. c. p. Kimbali was
called temporarily 10 the chair. Col. +.
f. Shaw was made Secretary.
Mr.. Nye said that he thought the Or
ganization should be made to-day.-A
Secretary is needed whose business shall
be to answer communications and work up
an interest. One thousand dollars have
been appropriated by the State.to be used
as the board may think best. and a por-
ton of this may be devoted 10 paying
the expenses OF Secretary for several
months. No great interest in this matter
had thus far been developed in the State !;
this is not 10 be wondered at. as the pub
lie journals do not agree, and two men,
bers of Congress from this State arc
opposed to the Congressional approsria-
ton.
Sir. KimLall looked upon this matter rs
one OF no little Importance. lie had
given TO it good deal of thought and
was sure that when the people became
aware Of its magnitude there would be
no lack of interest. The board should
have Secretary, who should send out
blanks. personally visit the large manu-.
lacturers and producers, attend TO cor.
respondence. and work up general
interest. aud he had no doubt that the
result would be good show--one that
the board and the State OF Maine would
not be ashamed of. lie had no doubt the
work would be light this year in compar-
ison to what must be done before the
holding Of the exhibition.
Mr.. McMullcn thought that the work
of tho Secretary this year would be
simply preparatory.
Mr.. Sprague thought It too early 10
map out the work, especially while the
matter in Congress is in such state
The action there would undoubtedly
guide our future actions. The matter
thus far has dragged heavily here. and
be had noticed that this was the case also
in Massachusetts.
Remarks wero then made upon several
Of the branches of the material wealth
of the State, proper to exhibit at the
exhibition. Mr.. McMullen spoke OF the
Improvements made 10 the manufacture
oisteel The katahdin Iron Works, thro'
their agent. had already proposed to cx.
hibit specimens. Mr.. Simpson said that
bog ore had been found in several local..
ties OF the State, that is beginning TO be
extensively used in tho manufacture OF
iron.
Mr.. Simpson suggested that the people
could be efreolpally reached by an address
from this board. published in all the
newspapers. Mossrs. Shaw and Roberts,
and indeed the entire board, heartily con-
CURED in this.
On motion OF Mr.. Nye, the board pro.
ceeded TO the election of permanent
President, and the Hon. Charles p. Kim
ball of Portland was unanimously elected.
Mr.. kimball thanked the board for the
honor, which he considered high one,
and promised to do all in his power to
make the exhibition n success.
After discussing the qualifications Of a
Secretary, the board adjourned 10 even.
ing.
The board reasscmbled in the evening
ut half past seven. Enoch Knight Of
Portland was elected Secretary of the
board. The following gentlemen were
chosen Executive Committee, to fix the
compensation and arrange the duties of
Secretary, audit bills. etc: the President,
sx.ofiicio. Edwin Spraguc, j. II. McMul-
len.
Mr.. Simpson presented the following
resolutions, which were adopted:
Resolved. That 70 our sister States OF
the Union that purpose 10 unite in the
proper observance of the Centennial
Anniversary OF the independence of the
United States, we send our cordial and
traternal greetings. accompanied by q
pledge that no effort shall be lacking on
our part TO secure tor Maine q proper
representation on that great occasion;
that, not forgetting the records of other
States, We recognize the propriety oil
locating this celebration at Philadelphia,
so impcrishably connected with the
glorious memories of the Revolution !;
and we extend our thanks to her people
for their patriotic aid so largely and freely
rendered 10 the Centennial Exposition.
Res0lred, That while not discouraging
aid from other sources, we respectfully
urge the friends OF the centennial 10 imme-
diatey organize in each State and terri.
tory the most perfect system 10 reach the
hearts Of the entire people of the country,
and to interest them in the success of the
entire Centennial Exposition; and TO
receive from true patriotic American citi-
zens such sums for the stock as each shall
see fit 10 contribute.
Resolved. That VIC fully believe that
such q course will be the means OF bring.