The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-05-03
THE CENTENNIAL.


FELLOW CrT1zESs You are doubtless
aware, in compliance with an Act OF Con-
Vress, providing for an appropriate cele-
bration Of the Centennial Anniversary Of
American Independence, there win Be
held next year at the city Of Philadelphia,
an international exhibition Of the arts,
industries, and resources Of the United
States, in comparison with those from
other countries, which, opening on the
10th Of MaEWiu continue tor six months
and in which not only all the States and
Territories Of our Union, but also most
Of the nations Of the civilized world are
expected to participate.
Already, thirty foreign Governments
have officially accepted the invitation ex-
tended to them By the President In the
name Of the United Stltes, 70 take part
in the Exhibition and unofficial advices
have been received from other Nations
siynifying their intention also TO bere-
presented on the occasion, in their vari-
Gus Arts Of Production; SO that there il
abundant assurance that the display from
abroad will b. on the most comprehensive
scale and proportionally instructive char
ac,er. Al the same time, the extensive
preparations which are being made lot il
throughout our own country, under the
auspices Of State Legislatures, Municipal
Authorities, Scientific Associations, Min
ing Companies Manufacturing Corpora
tions, Agricultural Societies, and enter
prising individuals Of liberal views, and
cultured tastes, clearly indicate that the
occasion will be, in every way, worthy Of
the character Of our government the pro.
gress Of our people and the gandeur Of
that great event, without precedent and
without parallel, which it Is intended to
commemorate.
Although Congress has, thus far, re.
Trained from making any appropriation
for this patriotic and important under
taking Of It's own enactment, except to
provide for Department display, illus
tratiug the functions and administrative
faculties Of the Government, sufficient
sum, amounting to more than four mil
lions Of dollars, has deem subscribed,
chiefly through the enlightened iberaliLy
Of PennsylYanians, to meet the prelimi-
nary expenses, including those for the
erection Of the Exhibition Buildings,
which are all under contract, and so far
advanced in their construction a 10 leave
no doubt otthelr being completed in am
pie time for the accommodation Of the
exhibitors.
The buildings will occupy an area Of
more than fifty acres In Fairmont Park
upon the most eligible site that has ever
been selected for such an occasion and
have been planned with especial refer
ence to the convenience Of yilitors a. we'll
a. to the arrangement and assimilation Of
objects.
The following dimensions will give an
idea Of their capacity:
The Main Exhibition Building will b.
10 the form Of parallelogram, 1879 feet
long by 464 feet wide, covering an area
Of more than 20 acres, or s72,320 square
feet OfEpace.
The Machinery building will consist Of
a main hall, 4O3 feet BY $50, with an an.
mex 2OS by 20 feet, covering more than
IL acres, the upper floor bringing up the
aggregate Of ao0F space to II acres. .
The Agricultural building viii be a
parAllelogram Of $40 feet by $40, covering
an area Of above 10 acres.
The Horticultural building and Art
Gallery will each occupy u space Of an
acre and half.
Besides which the Government Depart
mental building will be on an extensive
scale. There will also be many other use.
ful and ornamental structures on the $50
acres which the Park Commissioners
u e transferred TO the Centennial Com.
mission for the purpose Of the exhibition.
The classification which has been adopt.
ed Is both geographical and Systematic,
combining the two elements Of arrange.
ment by countries, and by the nature Of
the exhibits; 80 as to afford the best iacil.
tiles for examination and comparison.
II will also illustrate the character and
capabilities Of crude materials in the or.
der Of their developments, showing their
adaptation 10 use and the processes by
which the results are obtained.
The ten departments Of the Classifca.
ton which will determine the relative
location Of articles in the Exhibition
eEceptin such collective exhibitions as
may receive special sAnction--And also
the arrangement Of names In the Cata-
lOgue, are a. follows:
!. Raw Materials-Mineral, Vegetable
and Animal.
2. Materials and Manufactures used
for food, OF in the Arts, the result Of Ex.
tractive or Combining Processes.
8. Textile and Felted Fabrics; Ap.
pArel, Costumes and Ornaments for the
person.
4. Furniture and Manufactures Of gem
eral use in construction and in dwell
iBgs.
3. Tools, Implements, Machines and
Processes. rbEai TN ~
0. Motors and Transportation.
Z. Apparatus and Methods for the in.
crease and diffusion Of knowledge,
8. Engineering, Public Works, Archi-
lecture, etc.
Q. Plastic and Graphic Arts.
10. Objects illustrating efforts for the
improvement Of the Physical, Intellectu-
al and Moral Condition Of Man.
Each department will be divided into
ten groups and one hundred classes, the
order Of grouping being IA follows:
!. The natural products Of the earth
useful 10 man, or the basis Of manufac-
lures.
2. The manufactures, and results Of
the combinations and working Of such
products.
8. The means and appliances by which
the results have been obtained.
4. The resultant effects Of such PRO.
ductiVe agencies.
Thus the Exhibition will present an
epitome Of the worlds progress illus.
tfaled BY specimens Of the natural and
artificial productions Of every land, 80
classified ~ To afford ample opportunity
to ascertain and compare the material
resources Of the various countries, the
means by which they are utilized and the
purposes to which they are applied.
Whilst all the States are Interested in
being properly represented in their pro-
ducts Of the Centennial none are more
so than West Virginia, for, "a those de-
pattments Of the Exhibition which will
contain displays Of the minerals, woods
and other natural products from differ
ent pattsof our country will be critically
examined by all who may be concerned
in the problems Of immigration and the
investment Of capital, our own State
surely cannot afford TO neglect such an
opportunity to mako known 10 the world
Al aaA Il