New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-22

LONG DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE on THE PRO
PRIETY on CONGRESS ASSUMING TIE RESPONSE
BIITY FOR THE EXPosuION-A BILLPAssED RE-
oUEsuNG THE PRESIDENT TO INVITE FOREIGN
Governments TO PARTICIrAIE-THE WAY
OPENED FOR A LARGE APPROPRIATION Bl CoN-
GREss
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON. Jan. 21.-It begins to be apparent
that Congress must either shoulder the Centennial
Exhibition and furnish the money to carry il through,
or see the nation In a measure dsaraced by Its
failure Il Will cost from Ss0O0000 to Sl00O000O to
make a show that will not suffer seriously by com
parson with the great fairs OF Paris and Vienna and
AL or nearly all of this money, will probably he
sunk for there is small reason to hope that the re-
eeipts for admission will more than pay the running
expenses long and animated discussion upon the
subject took place in the House to-day called out by
abill reported by Mr. Kelley. from the Centennial
Committee, requesting the President to extend an
invitation 10 foreign governments to participate in
the Exhibition. The passage of such bill is made
necessary by the refusal of the Secretary of State
commit our Government TO the undertaking. by
officially inviting the cooperation of other countries.
An attempt was made by Messrs. Hale and KasSon
70 fight the bill, on the same ground taken by tue
Secretary, but its advocates boldly faced the
1nusic' aud Acknowledged that they expected to
call Oh Congress for aid. When reminded of the
promises made to the House when the original bill,
charteFing the Centennial Commission, was passed.
that Philadelphia and Pennsylvania would pay
the entire cost Mr.. Kelley spoke of these
promises as the foolish expressions of enthusiastic
PennSy lyauia members. Mr.. Hawey, the Presi
dent Of the Commission, argued that the Govern
ment was already committed to the enterprise by
the previous acts of Congress- and that II would be
dsgaceiul to refuse the necessary means to ceie-
brae the one hundredth veTsaTy of the nations
birth by a grand exhibition OF the arts of peace,
while spending $5O0OOOOO annually to maintain
organizations to tear fellowmen in pieces. Mr..
Hawey stated the amount already raised for the
centennial at $S,jOoOOO. Not to invite foreign
powers after the Presidents proclamation commend
ing the exhibition TO their notice would he said, be
equivalent to saying TO them, We are going TO
have a far and would be glad t. see you here, bat
mind, we don't ask you to come
Mr.. Kelley. who had control of the floor, fanmed"
1T out to a number Of eloquent advocates of the Cen
tennal project who served up great deal of 4tb of
July buucombe. The House relished this flow OF
patriotic cloquence, however. 1t got warmed up,
spplaudcd the speakers, choked off tho "croakers,
and passed the bill by an immense majority. The
pleasure opens the way for large appropriation,
aud was so understood by the House. If Congress
Invites all the world to come TO an exhibition.
Congress must see that an exhibition is held. and
enc, too, that the country need not he ashamed Of
The projectors of the Centennial have managed
The affair with great sagacty First, they asked for
an act authorizing the President to appoint com
missOners, TO give it National air; then
they got a regular act OF incorporation from Con
gress, protesting all the while that the Government
would never be called upon 10 pay dollar aud
now after the undertaking has advanced too far to
be abandoned without dscledlt To the nation in the
eyes OF the world, Congress is told that must pay
the major part of the cost