The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-30
EX-GOVERNOR BIGLER'S VIEWS.
Progress Of the Work in "the City of
BrOtberly Love-"
EXPECTATIONS BASED UPON THE BOUNTY OF CONGRESS-
A Financial Agency Established In
New York City.

was mace tnat the centennial commission mad at
last invaded our city, and, through It's financial
agent (ex.Governor Bigler, OF Pennsylvania), had
opened an once at the ST. Nicholas Hotel with a
view OF interesting loyal metropolitans in the
exhibition which Is to commemorate the one
hundredth anniversary OF the nations BIRTH Such
an announcement after all that has been said pro
and con regarding the Centennial Celebration,
naturally justified visit from q representative
OF journal that strives to record every event
occurring IN those portions OF the world where
the types speak and the electric telegraph touches
the hearts OF the millions who read and think.
The writer yesterday sought the rooms OF the
Centennial Commission, and found them to be
very modest quarters on the second moor OF the
hotel. he was met by Ex-Governor Bigler, who
was requested to permit himself to be interviewed
on matters "centennially Interestingly The
Governor, after hesltatlng few moments
sad:-"I shall be happy to give you any infor-
nation in my power; but on what points do you
wish my views? ?"
REPoRTER-Oh, merely to state the general pros.
poets OF the venture. SO much has been uttered
and written on the subject that Americans some.
times forget the great undertaking. wish you
would express your views generally.
Governor BIGLER--It is worthy Of note that the
frst practical step taken in the way Of the Gen.
tennial Celebration came from
THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF THIS CITY
In 1870. In 1871 Congress commended the idea of
celebrating the event that brought the American
Republic into existence, and passed laws regulat-
Ing the management. These laws In their opera
tons are coextensive with the entire country
leaving the States perfectly equal as to any dig
nifty or responsibility that might arise thererom,
except that 1t was to be located in Philadelphia
Every State in the Union is represented In the
management. Pennsylvania has acknowledged
fho honnr nm mn hor NV diy,o
more than balf the capital required Tor the prep
arations. The city OF Philadelphia as a corpora
ton and the State paid $2,500 600 to ard erecting
the buildings, because under the State coustitu-
ton neither could invest in the stock OF corpora.
ton. The people and railroad companies SUBJ
scrbed over 81, 000, 900 in addition. The buildings
except the agricultural department, which can be
erected IN few months are all under contract.
REPoRTER-Can you give me statistics as to the
progress OF these buildingsf
Governor BIGLER-Yes. The Art Gallery. cover.
ing an area OF two acres, the materials OF which
are BRICK granite. iron and glass is perfectly fire.
proof and Is contracted for at ST., 200 0OO and with
drainage heating. &c Will cost about 81, 600.
About $l5o0,000 has been appropriated BY the city
OF Philadelphia and the state.
THE MACHINERY HALL
is to be building covering about fourteen acres.
$4,000. This is provided Tor by an appropriation
of the city alone. 1t Is to be completed OCTOBER
l.,
proce g OF construction. The Conservatory covers
about Two acres, Is contracted Tor at s26o,ooo and
provided Tor by the city of Philadelphia.
THE MAIN EXHIBITION BUILDING
covers about twenty acres an nc ma has been under
finished the latter part OF December 1875 The
foundations are already made, and are ready to
receive the columns. The work OF erecting the
structure. which Is 10 be Of iron ana glass, VIII
begin IN the early spring, the manufacturers OF
the material being confident that they can nave 1t
all ready by April /. The means Tor the erection
OF this structure are to come from the sale OF stock
ana other sources. the subscriptions ALREADY
made TO STOCK exceed S2,OOO.oOO, a considerable
portion Of which has already been expended IN in
cidental things.
THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT
VIII cover space OF ten acres, and cost about
$s750O0, and the work on this VIII begin In the
spring and can be finished in three or four
months | estimate the probable cost OF water
gas. drainage sewerage, &C., at about sl,oOo,00O.
believe that Mr.. Gosnorn OF ONO, IS the Director
General. What has he asked rom Congress ,or
Governor BIGLER-He does not ask for an appro-
priation t1esltatinN. Having gone to the extent
determined TO reserve 20 the people. as indIvld-
uals, the glory OF having raised many millions to
commemorate with fitting ceremonies the events
that brought our Repuolc Into existence. and
the Centennial Department established In this
city Is expected To play an important part IN
raising the balance OF the capital. What the
Director General would press upon the favorable
attention OF Congress are certain specific things
with wnicn the government Is specially identified.
For instance, by the express terms oi the law all
the proposed ceremonies are to be conducted nn-
der the auspices OF the government OF the United
states. 1t Is maintained therefore. that the gov
eminent ought to furnish the police guard Tor the
SIX months That tie Exh,pi,Ion VIII be open that It
may have 0lrect care over the order and dignity
o1 the proceedings. Besides, for the outer guards,
soldiers or marInes could be used and thus the
cost to the government Tor guarding would be
slight, instead OF compelling the city TO
bear this expense. II is maintained, also,
that the government should provide Tor the pre-
muDs IN whatever shape they may be, because
the Exhibition Is INTERNATIONAL. aud any token Of
a lorelgn exhibitor, would sink below the dignity
and courtesy extended to American exhibitors in
Europe Tor the awards, in every instance, came
/ directly from the government. it is, therefore,
THE DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT
to do what the corporation mas not the power TO
do properly. The laws OF Congress require the
! certificate TO be designed and executed In the
Treasury Department thus excluding all com
petitors. Ii is therefore, main aimed tnat the
eminent ought 10 supply certificates; 50 also as to
the manufacture OF the medals IN the Mint for
! IL IS doubtful whether the expenses oil the Mint
VIII he increased 70 the slightest extent,
| The Centennial managers THINK also That, AS the
! law orDids compensation to the Commissioners,
Congress mignt properly provide or the individual
! expenses OF these gentlemen. VINO are Obliged
annually to gather at Philadelphia rom every
! state IN the Union. To this extent ouly do the
| Commission and Financial secretary look to Con.
REPoRTER-And Governor, what would this in.
volve IN the form OF an appropriation from Con-
gressg
| Governor BIGLEa-I cannot tell. Probably the
| expenditure oil rom $500, 600 10 100000.
! REPoRrER-How extensive Is the organization
!
| Governor BIGLER-It extends through all the
States, except those OF the South. and IN all the
States aclnties Tor SUBSCRIBING TO stock or con-
] triouling are furnished. The managers think IT a
duty 10 present 10 the citizens OF the entire coun
rv an opportunity oil participating IN the glorious
! work. by the use OF the emplemltic medals tina t
| participation may DC from 81 up To an indefinite
REPoRrER-Embematic medals. What are they,
| Governor
| Governor BIGLER-That IL a matter shat Will
take too long to explain. the usual form In the
different clues Is the selection
COMMITTEE or PROMINENT CITIZENS,
who designate canyassers TO visit every house
with subscription books, &c.
KEPoRTER-Wnat stock has been taken In the
various Staicsf
Governor BiGLER-About So, 200, 900 has been In
dlvdually taken IN the various states. received
yesterday four SUBSCRIPTIONS IN this city aggre-
eating $4,000.
REPoRTER-In conclusion, Governor, may ask
wnat Importance do you atfacD TO TINS grand Ex-
hlOion as means OF extending the lame and
making known TO the world tue Internal wealth OF
our cguufry7