Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-03-18
philadelphia.
our sATuR DAY LGTTER

our sATuR DAY LGTTE r.
THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD MEEIISG-THE PRO-
POSITION 10 ABRIDok THE PowERs OF THE d.
| Rkcrons- CohMENcENENrs OF THE MEDICAL
| coLLEaEs- CENTENNIAL MATTERS - tbs NEW
PARK LoAN-END OF THE MAMMOTH HOTEL
ecHgNE-THK dIRARD COLLEGE dROUNDs-ICK
IN THE sCHuYLKILL-MR. BLAINE OF MAINE-Ma.
FIGHTER, DC.
| Special Correspondence qffhe Commercial.
PHILADELPHIA, March IL.
Following the publication of the Pennsylvania
Rsirosd report, came this week the annual
meeting Of the stockholders. Owing to the rea-
sonable plan now first adopted there was less
confusion and less bitterness of expression, At
this meeting than usual The report had been
considered at leisure and-measurably at least
understood. There was not 30 much Of the un-
easy feeling that the owners we're being COM
PEELED to action Of which they know nothing and
which itw impossible In those limits to explain
TO them. Az consequence there was little Of
the peculiar dissatisfaction Of old times, and the
part OF tho proceedings relative to the report
went smoothly enough. On another point, how
ever, the opposition 10 the present mode Of
management made itself felt The recent ex-
amining committee appended to its report GER
tain resolutions which we're left over for action
to this meeting. These resolutions required
that the stockholders themselves should pass
upon all measures relative to leasing rail-
ways, legislation, &C., and that such
matters should not be exclusively entrusted a.
they have hitherto been to the Board Of Direc-
tors The resolutions virtually claimed that the
aggressive policy OF the Road Of late years arose
from the stimulus Of very few men who did
not truly represent the company, and that their
theory OF railway management was vicious and
destructive. Nothing more important than the
offering Of these resolutions can be imagined to
railway interests, for II they had carried they
would have revolutonized the transportation
business. But they did not carry, 1t need hard
ly be said. The liberal element among the
stockholders is steadily growing but it is not yet
strong enough to outride tie Directory-the
men who have for years been running the ma
chine These men are among the sharpest to
be found, and they give their whole time and
energies to the road the opposition come to-
gether once year to talk matters over but they
edge Of railway affairs. The fight was therefore
too unequal. No reference Of any sort was
made to the troubles between the Pennsylvania
and Baltimore Ohio rail roads. In relation
thereto further correspondence is published
this time between Colonel Scott and Mr.. Jewett,
Of the Erie road. Scott is willing to submit to
the arbitration which Mr. Garrett declined and
these last letters make Philadelphians believe
more than ever that the president Of the Seen
tThl lb 4 IuuCu put upon person.
The commencements Of the Medical Colleges
we're held this week and attracted the usual
amount Of attention. 1t has been wondered by
unthinking persons what attraction these dry
medical proceedings can have for the fair sex,
which makes up the bulk Of the attendance But
when that wonder is expressed it Is surely forgot
ton that these commencements concern, for the
most part, young unmarried men. The whole
thing il governed by instinct. Tho Hshnemann
Homeopathic College led or on Wednesday |;
1u~ H,n ..I H. -. hguIt -a1
College followed on Thursday; and the
University Of Pennsyivana closed the
main series Of commencemepts to-day. Be-
tween whiles the Alumni Of the various
colleges held their anniversary meetings, the Wo-
mans college inaugurated its new building and
tho University had an opening celebration Of its
new hospital With all this it can be seen that
the week has been . busy one for medical men
and their friends. "Jen" bore away the honors
regarding the strength Of the graduating class,
class numbered 100, that of the Hahnemsnn
college 81, and that Of the Womans college 49,
The condition Of the last named institution is
| declared by parties interested in it to be most
ss.:st.ssc.ory: Ihs state o. DeiswsIe did not
. b ;s scsss 7orssSf n yssfs q fSfss bsIswsrs.ns
graduated from Jefferson College and Ave from
the University.
Among the most important matters concern.
| ing the Centennial now talked about is that Of
the improvement Of the Park in season for the
opening Of the Exposition. Strange as it may
appear there are members OF Councils who seem
to think the Park is well enough ~ it is and who
are not willing to spend cent for beautifying
the grounds which we have invited the world to
"ome and inspect. This is good sample
of sham repuhlicanism. Imagine the English,
French, or German Expostions administered in
such spirit Fortunately there Is another side
to tho case. There are Phila,lephisns OF suf-
fciept liberslity and farsightedness to
understand that money occasionally spent
upon Paramount il as well invested
az it s possible to invest public funds that i'm
provements to the Park will not only be . con-
slant pleasure to the frequenters OF the grounds
but an evidence to whoever comes here In the
| Centennial year that the Quaker City is one Of
the leading capitals OF the world. The proposed
loan of 81, 10000 for this purpose is not to be
cassed with gas loan Jobs or the many other
lat,cr-day raids upon the city Treasury. We
| have undertaken this Centennial business and 1t
must be done right. We have the finest park
in the world and it must appear to the beat ae.
vantage. Without the park the Centennial
ing 30 much to it we must develop all iis pcssi-
bities.
Various other Centennial matters have
claimed attention during the week, one Of them
the grounds The gentlemen OF the Committee
expressed surprise and qualification at seeing
the works 80 well advaAced. This Ia the univer
val testimony Of all who have the temerity te
brave ''the cold winds Of March and to pros
pect about Belmont Avenue. Work goes on
constantly and to an extent that very few peo-
pie have any idea Of. The contract for the
building, for offices, &c, was given thii
week to Mr.. Aaron Doane Of this. city
The amount bid by Mr.. Doane wa'
cally ornate in appearance, with porches, &c l
is to be 40 feet long by 80 feet In width TIL,
grand hotel project has fizzled out. The partie
having it in view think that it is too late Il
begin the construction Of building to 10 &C m
pleted in May 1876, and which would cost mil
lion and half OF dollars. Probably the time Ii
short, but IL would have been just year longe
} il work had been commenced when the projec
was first mentioned How to house the peopl
who will come TO the exhibition is certainly on
J OF the toughest problems in the whole affair.
The important news that streets are not to b
cut through the Girard College grounds cam
> Just too late for last weeks letter. jury hs
7 found to this effect but exceptions were take
} thereto which were carried into the Court Q
Common Pleas for consideration. Judge Biddi
dismissed the exceptions and confirmed the jl
ry's opinion, and 20 the matter may be consld
: cred settled Although some persons residin
3 in the northwest section OF the city contend ths
. the College wall 10 . nuisance the predominant
2 feeling is undoubtedly that the will Of Philsde
4 phia's great benefactor should be respected
= There is q strong conviction that to tampe
with the provision of q wll-the conditions there
n OF having been legally accepted and ratified
n would be TO prejudice persons OF wealth again'
a making public testamentary bequests.
Q The fears Of q disastrous freshet on tn
Schuylkill happily grow lesa. The " Ice Gorge
il q standing topic with our papers but there
good reason for believing that the gorge itse
will not stand much longer, it being insidious
u, eaten into by this very wearing weather. TIL
Y great danger was from heavy rain. the watt
!, resulting from which-being held back
. the leo as long possible final
% % bursting through and inundatin long region
;. below. Now however by reason OF the gradu
: thaw the ice has become weakened as not
4 materially obstruct the river. There are mar
~ clear stretches, and water evidently flov
y through the ice without restraint, for thore is
y large discharge over Fsirmount dam. Anotll
day or two such as this--closed windows ai
n winter clothing being rather an oppression-al
y. y, the frightful gorge will disappear and "lea
er not trace behind
Blaine, of Maine, has been with us and the pol
ical qlid nuncs have specnlated greatly over Il
event. Mr. Blaine was entertained by Gen. Bin
Of ham, and various city and State notabilites
q siated-including Governor Hartranft The
10 are people who insist that this is the rst gun
ir proclaim Mr.. Blaine the next Republican cane
le date for President, but il SO it made very Sc
%. tie report.
o. Mr.. Fechter, the actor whsse American care
o. has been such . succession Of surprises. b
e, been playing Ut the Walnut Street Theatre. Fl
np tune has been kinder to him than at oiher tim
9 here. Public whims are past finding out. Feel
er ia . superior meloiramatic Gctor and in sol
I, and oA