New-York tribune., 1874-06-01
THE CENTENNIAL.
IN OLD TOPIC WITH A NEW FACE.


MATRs-PRACTICAL AND INEXPENSIVE BUILDINGS
TO BE ERECTED.
tyHoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRiBUfhI
PHILADELPHIA. May 80.-There is to be an
International exhibition in Farmount Park In TINS
goody city in the year of our 1876 to celebrate the
Centennial OF American Independence 30 much IS
settled and high time 1t s too that 1t was setteo ior
the hostile attitude OF Congress and the quantities OF
cold water thrown upon the project by the press
throughout the country has produced the impression
outside OF Philadelphia that tho whole machinery OF
Financial Board Commissioners, Advisory Committees
and DirectorsGeneral was the eve OF
total collapse I say outside Of Philadelphia,
the people for day lost faith In the
enterprise. All the time they were waiting 70 see II
Congress would not make the desired appropriation
they had quietly made up their minds that II NOBODY
would help them they would hold the exhibition ana
pay the bills themselves and let the people come to the
show stay away they pleased The Philadelphians
are often charged with prov neiaism. to be provin-
cial have sufficient local pride to carryiout
project devised for the good OF ones city, and 10 DO
1t in the face Of Gil possible dscouragemen then IL was
good quality possess in this instance Ii they had
been less provincial the Phiadelphians would have
abandoned the exhibition idea long ago, instead OF hold
1t with pluck and energy worthy OF all respect
good deal OF injustice has been done them during the
last few months In representing them making raid
upon the National Treasury for money to be spent Tor the
particular advantage and gorcation OF their own CITY,
The fairly stated Is this: Nearly S,ooo,oo was
pledged for the Centennial by contributions and appro
priations made by the City Of Philadelphia and the
State Pennsylvania and by subscriptions to the STOCK
made almost exclusively by citizens Of Pennsylvania,
and when this had been accomplished 1t was naturally
thought that enough had been done to literally pay for
all the local advantage to come to the city ana state
from the fair and that the chief credit and benent
resulting from would to tho country at large,
Of the ought to be borne by the ma
ton Upon this theory, and who say that 1t was an
unfair one, the appeal was made to Congress. When
aid refused by that body in way that left no hope
Of change OF purpose during the present session at
least the Commission assembled and sustained by the
united and determined public sentiment OF the city, re-
solved to go ahead with the money they had and make
the best show they could.
There can no longer be any question: therefore, that
we shall see some kind OF fair the Schuylkill
in the Summer and Fall Of the centennial year. Ihat IL
will he international in character is also settled All
doubt on that point was removed by the action Of the
Senate the other day in adopting the House resolution
the President invite foreign governments
"to take part In the International Exhoition 70 Dc
held under the auspices OF the Government OF the
United States" There Is good reason for the
expectation that the principal European nations,
and especially Germany aud England, Will
make an extensive show. II they were to do nothing
out of good feeling the United States and desire
to DO worthy represented in worlds fair motives OF
commercial policy would induce them to encourage the
display Of the articles OF their manufacture
which seek sale in markets. The relations estab-
shed by agents of tho Centennial Commission with
exhibitors at the Fair and the action OF several
governments since, makes it reasonably certain that
the foreign departments Of the Exhibition will be we'll
filed, The main point remaining undetermined Is,
ybctber our own arts and industries will be fully aud
crediaby represented, so that tho comparison with
those Of other countries will not be Illuminating
to U.s. Failure in this regard can be averted
only by greatly increased public interest in the Cen
tenna Now that the resoute action of the people OF
phia and the Commission has set at rest all
doubts the holding Of the fair may, think be
fairly expected that the respect which this display on
courage and devotion to has already won from
the country VIII be followed first by sympathy, then by
active interest and cooperation, and finally by some
degree Of popular enthusiasm Such Ia the belief OF the
earnest friends OF the enterprise here
The Commissioners hope that their funds will be
largely increased during the coming year by subscrip
tions to stock and State aid II notify appropra
ton Congress- They going on, however to cut
their according to the cloth they have In hand Tho
plan for the building has been put into the hands
Of the engineer with instructions to reduce 1t SO as to
make the cost within certain sum per acre. am
afraid to mention the lest should bring down
the Commission flood Of protests from professional
and architects against putting up so plain and
unmposng q structure as it will necessarily be- Orna-
ment costs and the Commissioners, finding they must
sacrifice something Of either beauty or utility, wisely
chose to give up the formens The admirable pavilion
plan with its graceful curved. lines its lofty arches
inclosing at their miniature gardens, with foun
tans and flowers and its imposing vstas, WILL 1t Is feared,
have to DO abandoned altogether. 1t almost breaks
the hearts officers OF the Commission to give up
1t was about the only plan for an exhibition build
Ing could be devised and everybody competent TO
judge regarded as superior not only 1t ITS beautiful
interior Effects also adaptation for its object, to
the buildings Of either the London, Paris Vienna
Worlds Fairs. What will out of the cutting down
process which the plan s undergoing 1t is too
say but fear the result will be edce too closely
resembling big circus tent. But what can the Commits
do They bound provide shelter for the Is
goods which they expect will be displayed in the
main building, and they have no money to pay for
architectural elegance In abandoning all pretensiOns
beauty Of design in the structure they console
themselves with the reflection that they will escape
good deal Of unpleasant criticism. No will expect
to find anythng admire blame in the style Of the
building. and il it fuHs Its purpose Of keeping the
the goods and the visitors, without being
positive eyesore on the fair landscape OF the park,
there will be reasonable ground for complaint. In
giving p the ornamental features Of the structure the
Commission, 1t should be remarked hope to retain all
its best practical features that viii commend itself
Oh that account to those who know what exhibition
building ought to be. The rich and imposing design for
the Art Hail. which has been printed In the Illus
trated papers. has been thrown aside altogether. 1t
magnificent but to have carried out would have
cost & 100000 foOO at least. instead Of the Il 700
appropriated for the purpose BY the Leg
slsture and the building could not have been properly
erected in less than fve years time. The plan now
adopted In its place is much less pretentious, but while
simple is tasteful aud appropriate. Work on the main
building and the Art Hall will begin in two or three
weeks. The singular duplex organization which con-
trolls the Centennial appears to be working
harmoniously and effectively. 1t occupies the