The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-08-26
THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.
What Has Been Done and whnt Is Being
Done to Make IL n Success---Whnt Is
Needed.

What Has Been Done and what Is Being
Done to Make IL n Success---Whnt Is
Needed.
The New York Herald in a summary
of what is being done at Philadelphia
for the Centennial, says: The main ex-
hibition building, which is longer than
seven New York city blocks, is two
thirds finished. This building is to cost
one million six hundred thousand dol
lars. Although the contract does not
require its completion before the first of
January, we learn that it may be done
within few weeks. Another building,
known as the machinery hall, which will
be one of the most important features
of the exhibition, is so far advanced to-
ward it's completion that it will be ready
next month. The art gallery, or memo
rial hall, is permanent edifce, built by
the State OF Pennsylvania, and will cost
million and half dollars. 1t is of
granite, and will be great advantage to
the city long after the exhibition is over.
The horticultural hall is also to be a per-
manent building, and will remain as an
ornament to Fairmount park. We un-
derstand that larger space will be
given to flowers and fruits than has ever
been attempted at any previous exhibit
bition. Over thirty acres of the park
will be devoted to the flower show, and
applications have been received from
Belgium, France, England, Holland,
Australia, Cuba, Mexico and California
for the display of their plants. This
bringing together the fruits and flowers
of the world into one comprehensive
part will undoubtedly furnish an inter-
esting study, and we congratulate our
friends in Philadelphia upon their action
in this respect. The agricultural hall
was only commenced on the 9TH of July.
AS notable feature of this department,
the importance of which in an American
exhibition cannot be overestimated,
there will be trial of moving and reap
ing machines on some of the adjoining
farms. The United States government
is also building an editice in which to
exhibit it's own resources. This will
cover an acre and half.
A further building, called the Post
Hospital, will be open and kept in con-
slant service in the event of sickness or
injury to any of the visitors to the exhi-
bition grounds. The British govern
ment have begun to erect two buildings
for the use of their commissioners. The
Germans, Japanese, Norwegians, Swedes,
Turks, the Egyptians and the Liberians
have asked for space for representative
national buildings. The Khedive will,
it is believed, construct an Egyptian
street in miniature. Liberia will build
a Mohammedan mosque and Christian
church in juxtaposition. The different
States of the Union will also build
special buildings for the use of their
and plans have been al
ready received from Ohio, New Jersey
and Kansas Missouri, Massachusetts,,
Nevada and Indiana have also asked for
space for the same purpose. There is to
be woman's pavilion for the exhibition
of woman's work, and judges hall for
the use of those who decide upon the
premiums. The National Photographic
Association will display their photo
graphs in special buildings, and many
private parties will have buildings for
their own business. There will be foun-
tains, statues and various ornaments; a
to Humboldt, by the Ger
mans large fountain, by the Catholic
Total Abstinence Society, a Jewish
monument, by the Presby
terians, to Witherspoop, and by the
Italians to Columbus. In the grounds
there will be double track dummy rail
road, to run so as to enable the visitors
to cover the long spaces SO disastrous to
exhibitions. There are ten
horse railways leading directly to the
grounds, and six steam railways which
have arranged to discharge their passen-
gers at the gates.
The prospects for full representa-
ton, q correspondent informs us, are
very good, especially from foreign
countries. We regret to learn that as
much interest is not shown by some of
our American States as by European ma
tions. In the machinery hall we are
surprised to learn that there are but
thirty-fve applications for space from
manufacturers of silk, cotton, woolen,
paper, twine and mixed fabrics. Unless
we do better than this it is very certain
that in the manufacture of. these staples
we shall be overshadowed by the more
industrious and enterprising countries of
Erope-by Belgium, England, Switzer-
land and France. We have no represen-
tation of the shipbuilding trade. Tex
tile fabrics threaten tomake poor show.
AS to the financial success of the exhibi-
tion, the board informed our correspon-
dent that they have no apprehensions
The agents report they are meeting with
moderate success in gathering srlbscrip-
tions, but at the same time we think the
country should take the exhibition more
seriously in hand. Thus far all that has
been done has been the work of Penn
sylvania, with occasionally struggling
help from the outside. The Centennial
exhibition has gone beyond the control
of mere State. The honor of the coun-
try is identified with it's success. Thus
far wonders have been accomplished,
considering the limitations surrounding
the gentlemen who have undertaken the
work. A little effort on the part of the
other States, and the Centennial exhibi-
tion of Philadelphia will be made sue
cess not only worthy of the country, but
going far toward strengthening the repu-
tation of American industry and Ameri-
can enterprise in foreign lands.