The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-12-21
THE CENTENNIAL.
Future Appeals 10 bo blade to the People
mud rot 10 CnnErr...


/ Ex,Gov. William Bigler Of Pennsyl.
yania, financial agent Of the Bureau Of
Revenue Of the Centennial Board Of Ii.
nance, delivered an address before o
gathering OF prominent business men,
upon the Centennial international Ex.
libition Of 1876. Having referred to
the leading facts connected with theincep-
ton OF the idea Of celebrating the ami
versary Of the Declaration Of Indopend-
ence by u national and international dis
play oil tho arts, sciences, and the pro-
auctions Of the soil md the mine, and
the Congressional enaciments which give
M official character 10 the enterprise, ho
presented the methods by which the
board OF finance (under authority Of
their Congressional incorpoltion) pro-
posed to raise the funds needed to pro-
vide the necessary buildings, etc., viz, /:
Tint the capital for the preparations
should be obtained from the voluntary
contributions and subscriptions of the
people nther than from the public treas
ury, The shares of stocks are for $40
each, aud TO the holders Of stock belong
NIL the buildings Except those erected by
the city Of Philadelphia aud the State Of
Pennsylvania, and the stockholders get
the free Use Of those during the exhihi-
tom, rs also do MI the net receipts and
income OF the exhibition, and There is
no personal liability belonging to the
stock or the holders thereof. Besides
the stock the board Of finance issue and
sell memorial medals, finely executed ut
the United States Mint, and protected by
tho coinage laws, and sold ut from 81 10
50. The two and half million dollars
appropriated by Pennsylvania and Phila-
delphia are not represented by stock,
and this, together with the moneys real
lied from the sale Of medals, will be for
the benefit Of the stockholders, rs large
part Of the expenses will be thus pail
with funds Which are entitled to no diyi-
dend. Upon tho prospects Of repay.
ment OF the stock the Governor said, ~
feel required to say that the present out
look clearly indicates general and pecuni.
AIRY success The results OF the late
State exhibitions held in tho different
SECTIONS Of the country sustain this
view"
| Tie building will cover over forty
acres, and will he situated in Fairmount
Park, which contains 5000 acres. The
buildings will be completed in january,
1876, ready for the receipt Of goods. As
TO the filling Of these structures by ex.
hibitors, there is every reason TO look
for thoroughly successful exhibition.
Besides the great number Of exhibitors
in our own cotintry who have applied for
space, the governments Of more tlian
twenty foreign nations have Bignifed tho
intention of their people to participate,
and appointed commissioners to repre-.
sent them and look out for their interests.
The indications for full and successful
exhibition are lar better tlan they were
for any Of the great foreign expeditions,
yeAr aud u half before the Gate Of their
opening, AS mn indication Of the inter-
est which European nations are taking in
the event, tho speaker said tllat Baron
Swartz-Sanbon, the Austrian Minister,
after looking at tho grounds and plans a
few days ago, made statements rs to tho
applications now on file in his country
for permits and space, that astonished
oven the Centennial Commissioners.
Gov. Bigler closed with n reclpitula-
ton OF some Of tho great industrial and
commercial benefits TINT hAd resulted to
England, France, and Austrin, in con-
sequence Of their international exhibi.
tons, md with an appeal to the people
to bear their share in tho honor Of this
event, rs they did in the responsibility
Of the war which sustained tie declara.
tions adopted in Philadelphia in 177G,