New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-29
THE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION AND COY
BRNMENT AID.

We believe that the sentiment OF the people
generally in all the States toward the Inter
national Exposition to be held at Philadelphia
in 1876 is kindly and generous In this city,
where might most naturally be expected some
feeEng of jealousy growing out OF commercial
rivalry, there is certainly nothing but the most
cordial and hearty good feeling toward the
enterprise, and on all hands sincere desire
for its success. But we suspect that Gen.
Uawley's announcement the other day in the
House that the Committee on the Centennial
Exposition contemplated bringing before Con-
gress a proposition asking for Government aid
was in some measure a surprise. 1t had not
been expected to take this shape. Coming at
a time when the country is hardly past the
pipch of a financial panic and Government
is wrestling with the problem how to increase
a revenue inadequate to its expenditures, or
to retrench extravagant expenditures to its
income, the surprise is not an agreeable one.
The debate upon this subject, it will be
remembered, grew out of the reporting of a
bill from the Select Committee on the Expo
sition requesting the President to extend, in
the name of the United States, respectful
and cordial invitation to the Governments OF
other nations to be represented and take part
in the International Exposition TO be held at
Philadelphia "under the auspices OF the
" Government of the United States" The
question being asked whether Congress would
not be called upon to make appropriations to
carry the matter through, MIR. Kelley some
what dsingenuOusly answered that that ques-
ton was not involved in the bill, and Mr..
Hale of Maine thereupOn warned the House
that the plan was to get the President and
Secretary of State committed to the celebra-
ton. and then, if this bill passed, Congress
would be called on within the next two years
for appropriations ranging from five to ten
millions. Mr. Hawley of Connecticut, who is
President of the Board of Commissioners of
the Exposition, declared that the Government
had so far committed itself in the matter that
it could not retreat without shame and great
national modification. And then he announced
that the Committee would shortly introduce a
proposition asking frankly and squarely for
Government aid.
We are glad to be able to commend The &C
ton of the Commissioners and the manage
ment of this Centennial enterprise in the de-
tails of the preliminary work. The represen-
tatyes of the States and Territories in the
Board are generally men of probity and
intelligence, who have brought to their
duties an unusual degree of enthusiasm,
great business capacity and energy, and
comprehension of the dignity and RESPONSE
bility of the position, which is unfortunately
rare in our representative bodies. So far
as we can learn there have been no "jobs"
in contracts, and no combinations through or
with the Commissioners for making CONNER
cal ventures, or for any kind OF underhand
speculatiOns. We are glad to believe that
unusual care has been exercised in this re-
gard, and that whatever attempts have been
made to turn the project to the advantage OF
small schemes or large for mere money
making, have been quietly put under foot by
the managers.
Having in common with the whole people
the most cordial feeling toward the enterprise
and sincere desire for its success, it is sim
ply in the interest of sound policy and honest
politics, and not from any unfriendliness, that
we take exceptions, not 80 much TO the rela-
ton sought to be established between the
Exposition and the Government as to the
manner In which il has been brought about.
We do not now discuss tho question Of the
propriety Of extending Government aid Lot