National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-12-10
THE cRNIsRNIAL IxposIr1oH.

Elsewhere will be found the financial
statement and copious extracts from the
memorial TO Congress Of the United States
Centennial Commission. An examination
of these will show that the Commission
asks Congress for an appropriation of one
and half millions of dollars to aid it in the
completion of the work In which 1t is en-
gagged, and it shows what has already been
done, how it has been accomplished, and
from whence came the means. 1t appears
that the major portion of lis resources thus
far have been derived from Pennsylvania.
The original design was to accomplish the
entire work of preparation for the EXPOSE
ton by private subscriptions to the stock Of
the Commission and donations. This plan
at first appeared practicable, but the inter
vention of the panic of 1878 and the hard
times which have prevailed since have &C.
casioned a falling off in the revenues, which
renders necessary Government aid to the
extent of the amount asked. The work
done has been paid for, and the Commission
is out of debt.
1t claims, and not unreasonably, that
under the circumstances the Treasury of
the people of the United States should con-
tribute the amount necessary to cover the
deficiency. The whole people are inter-
ested in the complete success of the Cen
tennial Celebration. Perhaps there is no
more prompt and equal method of making
the contribution than by an appropriation
from the Treasury. The revenues of the
country are paid by the consumers
Of importations and productions. Con.
sequently every man, woman and child
in the country are taxpayers. They pay
just in that proportion which they consume.
As the sum asked by the Commission would
amount to only about three and a half cents
per capita of our population, it is hardly
worth while 10 pretend that any one would
make an objection TO paying his share. 1t
is incredible that there can be found man
in this country outside of the city of New
York with soul so dead" that he will re-
fuse to contribute the sum of three and one
half cents toward the celebration of the
Centennial Fourth of July of this Gland of
the free" The city of New York is only
excepted in the above remark because the
World man of that city has already taken
exception to the appropriation. But it is
most likely that he is the only one that the
commercial emporium can produce. Let
US hope so, at any rate. Probably no one
city will be benefited indirectly by the Ex-
position as much as New York.
Most of the importations for display will
naturally land there, and the numerous in
voices which will most certainly follow
those samples which will be exhibited will
pay large tribute to the commerce of New
York. And yet, because the Exposition
happens, from historical causes, to have
been located in sister city, commercial
journal of pretentious responsibility seeks
every occasion to discourage and belittle
the enterprise. It's pretty safe to conclude
that this World man is about the smallest
man in the world. A smaller pattern than
a three-ce specimen can rarely be found
in this country. As the World man is less
than three-and a.half center, not to do
him iDjustice-and We would not for the
world underestimate him-we will hope
that he is, at the very least, three
center" But, seriously, is it not subject
of too great import to be sacrificed upon an
altar so little, mean and despicable! Let
us 60 the nickel on our hundredth
Fourth"