New-York tribune., 1875-01-25
THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.

VISIT or THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE TO THE
GRoUNDs--A SPECIAL BUILDING NEEDED TOR
THE GOVERNMENT EXHBrnoNS-IHE WORK
GENERALLY WELL ADVANCED.
fFRon THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or The rREBUSI.l
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 23.-TEe House Com
mttce the Centennial Exhibition arrived here from
Washington this morning, accompanied by other men,
bcrs OF Congress who desired TO Inform themselves as to
the progress OF the Exhibition work. The Committee
is composed Q; No Kelley Il Pennsylvania. Chair
ma ~ and Messrs. Hawey OF Connecticut, Wells OF Mis-
souri,, Smith Of Ohio, Young OF Georgia. Har
rs OF Virginia. Fort Of Illinois, Standiiord OF
kentucky. and Clayton Of California. Congress
men ONeill and Myers OF Philadelphia. Bur
chard OF Illinois, KassOn of Iowa. and Fields OF
Michigan were also OF the party Tho visit was wholly
business purposes the onmtcc desiring 10 see tor
itself the condition OF the builngwork and 10 examine
the ms nj financial exhibits. two hours session
hell forenoon at the rooms or the Centennial
Commission Walnu-st., during which Director
General GoshorD and Gen. Hawley, President OF the
Commission, exhibited tie plans OF tho di-
fereut structures, explained their purposes,
and tho contracts undor which they are
being erected AMI stated tho financial condition or the
enterprise TIc Art Hall and main EShbit0n building
are familiar to the public from engravng3 which rave
appeared in TIE TRIBUNE aud other papers. The de-
signs for the Machinery Hd aud the Agricultural Hall
have only been recently compile ed and. being new 10
the Committee, were examined with interest Much
graticaton was expressed that spacious buildings OF
pleasing architectural effect could be put up for the
limited amount OF money available for thls purpose.
Tie general opinion had been that only
the two principal buildings could lay any
claim 10 exl6:el aeeance. and that tse e;-"c-c: -, ,-
machinery n motion and for agriculture. sS:eddcts and
implements would Of necessity. owing to the rethSr
straitcned auauces Of tho Commission, be little hotter
than rude sheds. Il highly satisfactory TO the Com
mitee therefore, find that these two edices would
have considerable architectural beauty and would har
monss in general appearance with the larger building
Tho question Of space to accommodate the extensive
display which will be made by Government Depart
ments was discussed. Director Goshorn showed that
it would not DO possible TO make room for this display
either OF tho regular buildings without crow ding out
thousands OF individual exhibitors and seriously mar
ring the general plan OF the exhibition. He approved
the plan Of the Board OF Department officials which de-
sres separate building and which has recently
asked Congress for an appropriation for tails pur-
pose. II IS proposed that this building shall
be devoted exclusively to the display OF articles
shown by tie United States Government. such
as the collections OF the Agricultural Department
and the Smithso oman Institution, material from the
War and Navy Departments. maps from the i I'D Office,
Indian curosites, tc 1t viii be erected under the
supervision OF the Board appointed by the President
The Committee will support the recommendation OF the
Board for Appropriation for this building and for the
expenses Of transporting and arranging the collections
small Appropriation will also be asked for 10 pay for
the medals struck at the Mint aud for engraving and
printing the stock certificates.
In The afternoon the Committee drove TO the Centen
NAL grounds in FaIrmount Park. The Art Hall was
first visited. Remarkably rapid progress had been
made with this structure, the interior walls being a.
most completed and the outer walls OF granite well
advanced. On the main building nothing has been done
that is visible the spot, except to grade the ground
and put down the foundations. The iron and woodwork
s OF course, made elsewhere and when brought to the
ground Summer will be speedily put up. Some
time spent by tho Committee in tie Office OF Mr..
Sohwarznann, the engineer, in examining the working
drawings in preparation and looking at the clay models
Of the colossal statues OF art and science which
are TO the Art Hall The work these statues
far advanced that IL pos sbe to fern some idcs
OF their artistic excellence. After visiting tIe sites
chosen for The Machinery and Agricultural Halls end
tue Conservatory the Committee diced at Belmont and
return 10 ths city spent half hOnr In the Zo0log
lea, GARDEN. which adjOins the Centennial grounds.
Although not vet old he Garden contains The finest
collection OF animals ana birds IA America it Will fur
ush year important auxiliary attraction 10 the
Centennial The Committee separated after reaching
hOtrl, some mcnbers returning to Washington 10
nigh a4d Others remaining uGtll tomorrow.