Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-02-18
The Centennial Exposition.

CONSIDERATION OF The ENTERPRISE IN THE BOARD
OF TRADE RESOLUTION AsKISa THE LEGIsLA-
TURE To APPROPRIATE sl0,OOO, AND THE CITY
5000.
III the meeting Of the Board of Trade, Tuesday
evening, the question as to what action should be
taken in reference to the Centennial came up.
Mr.. Head moved that the Legislature be asked
TO subscribe 100000, to the Centennial stock.
II, III. jenkins moved that the city Of Will
mipgton be asked to subscribe 10000, payable
in two annual payments Of $1,000, each, and the
State to subscribe $4,000, payable in two an
nual payments OF 1880. each, making thus,
wi Ii u moderate private subscription, the full
quota Of 1872, 400. assigned to Delaware.
Remarl were made by number OF gentle
men, Joseph G. Grub read extracts from two
private letters written by John Welsh, ESQ.,, of
Philadelphia, chairman Of the Centennial board
OF Finance. Mr.. W. earnestly urged that Della
ware should do her share OF the work, and by
setting the example promptly, should help bring
the others Of the "Old Thirteen" States into
line. He quoted the fact that Pennsylvania had
subscribed million dollars, and New Jersey
100000 He thought the Centennial must be 4
great advantage to Delaware, probably doubling
the prices to be realized in that year from her
peach crop.
Mr.. Stone favored the amendment thinking
that 49,, 400. was none too much for the whole
State to give and that the sum could not be
raised by private subscription.
Mr.. Bradford thought the Board should not
ask the Legi lature for more than $4,000. be-
cause certain members of the Legislature had
only been talking Of 5000, to $4,000
Mr.. Head was also afraid Of alarming the
Legislature by asking too much.
Mr.. jenkins supported his amendment M q
Just distribution OF the subscription. He
thought Wilmington ought to give more in pro-
her people would be most benefited. He did
not believe private subscription to any large
amount could be realized.
Mr.. Gibbons asked whether the City Council
had authority to vote such subscription. Sew
eral gentlemen suggested that il it were deemed
proper for the city to subscribe, All act OF the
Legislature authorizing it might be had.
Mr.. Crossdale doubted whether the revenues
of the State would permit the subscription so
much NJ $4,000. He said that by the repeal OF
the mortgage tax 100000 had been taken from
the revenue.
Mr. jenkins replied that the State WAS not
poor. The taxation for years had been excess
sively large aud the revenues more than were
really needed. The mortgage tax ought to have
been repealed two years ago. There vas, and at
Treasury. The debt was being reduced, by the
payment, annually. Of much larger sums than
the depressed condition Of business warranted.
Mr.. Grubb, Secretary Of State, and Geo. H..
Bates, Esq, who were present. were called upon,
and spoke in reference to the subject. Both
gentlemen doubted the expediency OF asking for
more than $4,000 and described the gentle
men who ran the Legislature as anxious to
economic.
After some further discussion, resolution
was adopted asking the Legislature to subscribe
$40, 900. in two annual payments Of 5000 each
and the city to subscribe 5000 in two annual
payments Of $2,5OO. This action was not ap-
paIently unanimous and the opinion seemed gem
eral that larger sum ought to be subscribed.
but it was represented that II any more was ask
ed Of the Legislature nothing at all would be
On motion Of Mr. Bradford, the Preside 1t WAS
authorized to appoint committee OF i've to pre-
sent the proposition to the Legislature and City
Council