New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-12-19
CrvTFvvr,T, PLANS AND PROSPECTS.

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PLEA FOR A SNAIL CONGRESSIONAL APIRoPHIi-
TON FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES PROPOSED Ma
TloNAL EXHIBTs-Ho GRANT FOR GENERAL PUR-
POSTS TO BE APPLIED FOR THIS SESSION.
IRON A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Dec. Is No application for grant
of money for the general purposes of the Centennial
will be made to Congress this session. 1t Is suG-
pested, however that a small appropriation ought
to be made 10 pay the expense Of making certain
tonal exhibits which il will BE- nohodys business TO
make if not the Governments, but which Will be
essential to anything Ike fall display Of the re-
sources and industries Of the country Such ap-
preparation would not be objected to b. those who
are resoutcy opposed to the Treasury being sa.dIcd
with the chief expense of the Philadelphia Fair.
Among the special National exhibits which it is
urged the Government should make are the follow
ing:
l. display Of arms, accouterments, hospital equip
ment. and other war material.
O. An exhibit by the Navy Department Of whatever 1t
may have that is worth showing
g. Such an exhibit VIII freely illustrate the work Of
the Coast Survey.
4. Maps, books, &C., together with pamphlets in most
European languages free distribution to convey in
formation respectnSour homestead and general public
land system.
thorough collection OF agricultural products from
all sections OF the country. This ought TO be Drustcd
to the Agricultural Department, unless 1t is feared that
there are not brains enough in that concern to make
such collection.
G. A collection to illustrate the mineral OF
the country To be at all satisfactory this branch Of the
work should be placed in the hands of OF special
qualifications In the way OF scientific attachments and
knowledge of the country.
T. An exhibit OF all the various woods found in the
United States. with such information about each
would make the display OF scientific and commercial
value.
g. An exhibit Of our fisheries similar to those made by
Sweden and Norway at Vienna last year, but Of course
much more extensive. This should include preserved
specimens OF all the food fishes of coasts and rivers
and OF the nets, boats &C. used i'll catching
them.
O. AS complete exhibit as can be made OF the edu
caona systems Of the country including only
books and school furniture, but two or three model
schoohouses and LARGE photographs of all the principal
universities and colleges In the country The Bureau OF
Education Is the proper official instrument for organic
ing such department. and competent TO do the work
Unless the Government provides for making these
National exhibits and collections, they will not be
made at all II is the business Of the Centennial
Commissioners to erect buildings and hold the Fair,
not TO furnish the objects displayed, and private
citizen firm, or corporation be expected to spend
money which brings return save In the way OF
rejecting credit ON the nation at large. H. how
aver snch exhibits as are mentioned above aud
others which will readily suggest Themselves be not
made the Centennial will be merely n big Fair TO
advertise tradesnens wares and inventors Devices
and will fall far below in purpose ana accomplish
meut the London, Paris and Vienna Exhibitions