Arizona citizen., 1875-07-03
THE CENTENNIAL.

1OIZ, Iit COInlnlSSlOn met anu duJOuTneu
 full of hope, believing the people and es-
 pecially Congress would give such aid as
 was indispensable. It met ill 1873, quite
 well convinced that neither could be re- lied upon Tor any funds of consequence,
 but adjourned with some hope that Con-
 gross would not let the work it ordered, be
 d failure. At the annual meeting in 1874,
 it was admitted that nothing could be
 expected from Congress, and, owing to the
 poStration Of business throughout the
 country, but little from the people. It was
 no time doubted but avery large and cred l itable exhibition of articles covering
 everything of value for practical use, for pleasure, for ornament, etc, would take | place, If buildings and other necessary 1 preparations could be made; but a major 1 ity of the Commission about despaireG of getting the required funds in season, and
 actually favored an abandonment of the whole matter, issuing an address to the
 country showing why and resignIng their
 commissions. This course would have been taken, but all members felt that the
 previous liberality and good spirit shown by the people of Pennsylvania, entitled l their wishes to just consideration, and it
 was found that they desired the Commis- sion to remain intact, for otherwise all hope of a celebration or an exhibition
 would be utterly destroyed. The Commits
 sioners felt Congress had trified with the
 subject and themselves-thatb body declar-
 ing that certain officers should prepare for
 and execute a work that could not cost
 less than seven to ten millions of dollars,
 and yet repeatedly refusing, in offensive
 proceedings, to provide a single dollar or
 become liable for one dollar. However,
 City and individual action-had done much and believed with what more they
 would do and could induce the people Of other States to do, the necessary means to erect the buildings in due season and meet current expenses, could be obtained, so their desire prevailed with the Con- mission. During the latter part of 1874, hopeful efforts were made among the peO- pie but nothing was done by Congress. In the meantime, the original plans were revised and contracts let for much less expensive but nearly as capacious build ingS. When the Commission assembled in May of this year, the members were surprised at the progress made on the grounds and buildings. All mains for sewerage, water and gas were in the ground; four of the five buildings begun and the Art Gallery-the most costly according to dimensons-far advanced, the walls being up and the roof and dome taking final shape; the Board of Finance, Executive officers and contractors are confident of creditable preparations in due season. The meeting had little to do except discuss various subjects of interest connected with the administration of the Celebration and Exhibition and elect officers for the ensuing year. After about three and one half days spent in this way, and the dis position of some new business, the body adjourned full of hope, and to meet at the | call of the President, which will probably | not occur before early in May 1876.
 The buildings are five in number, viz: | The Main building to cover 2l.47 acres and | to be completed in January 1876, at cost 1 of Sl ,420 000; the Art Gallery to cover 1.5O | acres, to be finished February l, 1876, and | to cost $I ,l99, 275; Horticultural Hall to | cover 1.50 acres, and be done September D. 1875, at a cost Of S253 937; Machinery | Hall to cover If acres ana to be completed | October l, 1875, at a cost Of 423OO. Agri- cultural Hall was not under contract at our latest adviceS, but will be finished in due season and will cover l0l5 acres. The contractors of the four buildings under way, assured the Commission that their work would be completely done in advance of their agreements.
 In addition to the buildings enumerat- ed, the Government of the United States will have a very creditable one for the eX- hibition of its various Departments and subjects appropriately connected with each a variety Of special structures erected by foreign governments, industrial associations, some of the States and in- 1ividual exhibitors, most of which will be ornamental; and the lovely grounds and Park will have mum Der of memorial fountains and other decorative objects.
 AS was believed from the beginning of he enterprise, all the space will be filled, and double as much would be if provided. For any failure in this and many other 1 should be held responsible and not the