National Republican., 1875-09-08
sH,I m THE CRNTEENIaL ALT

ence showing that financially the Commis-
sion is at standstill, and intimating that
in order to insure anything like credita-
BILE success there must be reorganization
of the Commission. Whether justly or not,
we are informed that President Joseph R.
Hawley has become unpopular, and that
irreconcilable differences have arisen be-
tween him and other members of the Board
of Direction, which are fatally embarrass-
ing to the success of the enterprise. We
know but little of the merits of these al
legged differences, and for the present shall
say nothing about them. The fact that such
difficulties exist, in q manner and form and
of sufficient magnitude to threaten the fail
ure of an Exposition which had its origin
and depends for its success alike upon the
genuine patriotism of the entire American
people, is the one only thing necessary to
be known in order to justify search for
the remedy.
1t cannot be supposed for single moment
that any one of the gentlemen composing
the Board of Direction would be 80 lacking
in true patriotism as to desire to retain his
position after he became aware that he was
regarded as a clog to the enterprise. In
this view we hazard Little in saying that
we believe the present Board would at once
vacate their positions if they were satisfied
that any competent party could supersede
them, and, beginning where they now
stand, could infuse that life and spirit,
which is begotten of faith alone, into the
concern necessary to its success. We have
in our minds eye the man for the occasion.
We know not whether he would accept the
executive position in the Board with which
it is the desire of his friends to invest him,
but we have no doubt that if he should
once agree to assume that position his man
agement would at once rally to his aid all
the required capital and energy. This
man is General Francis E. Spinner, late
Treasurer of the United States. His quail
fications for the position of Executive of
the Exposition are numerous, and such as
are imperatively demanded in the in
cumbent of the Office from this time
forward. He has a national reputation for
honesty and prudence which none can
gainsay. He has attested this by handling
thousands of millions of the peoples money
during the last fourteen years without mis-
appropriatlng cent. He is of mature age,
ripe Judgment and large legislative and
executive experience, all of which cannot
fail to contribute very much to his aid in
the position indicated. He is able to con-
verse intelligently in several different
tongues, and would therefore be able to
entertain the guests and participants from
abroad in a much more agreeable manner
than if he were obliged to seek the services
of an interpreter for this purpose. And,
finally, his extensive acquaintance, notonly
with citizens of our own country, but also
with those of other nations, which he has
formed in the course of a long official
career, cannot fail to be of vast benefit to
the Centennial Exposition if he shall be
placed at its head. Every visitor, from
whatsoever cline he may come, will feel
certain of finding friend in the Executive
at least. General Spinner would also be
sure of the influence and aid of all the
women in our land from sense of graft
tude they feel toward him for the unvary-
ing kindness he has ever extended to their
sisters in the public service at this capital.
In fine, we know of no other person who
combines so attractively all the elements of
success in his own person as does General
Spinner.
In view of all these facts, it is important
to decide first whether we will have sue
cess, and, second, whether reorganization
is necessary to attain it. These having
been determined sf1rmatively, we take it
for granted the present board will tender
their designations. The stockholders and
commissioners can then reorganize and
press the General into service. His patriot
ism will no more allow him to decline the
position than will that of the present Exec
utive permit him to retain it. If these
things are done, and done at once, we may
yet be saved the humiliation of failure or
postponement that would be tantamount
to failure of the Exposition. The whole
country as one man would rally to the sup
port of General Spinner. The people have
full faith in and affection for him. Five
cents per capita is all that he would want
at present to complete the buildings, bat
we dare say he could raise five. times that
amount by single appeal to the pride Of
his fellow citizens. Something must be
done at once in this matter to save
the American nation from everlasting
humiliation and disgrace in the eyes
of the civilized world. If any bet
ter suggestion than the above can be
made we should be glad to hear it. We
are not tenacious of any specific remedy fol-
the evil which menaces us, but in Heavens
name, let no more time be lost or frittered
AWAY in Wnrsa than nsalaes nnarrale