The Hawaiian gazette., 1875-03-10
The American Centennial.

Among the officers on the flagship Pensacola
is Brevet Lieut. Col. James Foney, who is in
command of the marine forces of this vessel.
He is authorized to receive and forward any
articles destined for the Exposition at Phila-
delphia, and is prepared TO give any informa-
ton relative to it which contributors desire to
know. So far as we can learn there is strong
desire among Hawaiians and foreign residents
here to prepare specimens Of their handiwork,
but there does not yet exist the incentive to
spur them to action. We have committee of
three already appointed, and it has issued a
notice inviting all to participate and send in
their contributions. This is well as far as it
goes; but something more needs to be done to
insure success. We would suggest that the
Committee be increased to five members, the
additional two to include such as are willing
to labor for the object in view; that each have
his duties allotted to him, and that special eff
forts be made to disseminate the fullest infor-
nation on the subject and to enlist more
general interest in this great national exhibi-
ton. There remain but few months before
all articles designed for it should be on the
way to Philadelphia, and whatever is done
well, must be done soon. His Majesty feels
strong desire to see every branch of Hawaiian
industry fully represented on this occasion,
and with this object in view has recommended
that national appropriation be made to assist
in providing for display that will do honor
to the people and nation. In accordance with
this Recommendation, the sum of four thousand
dollars has been placed at the disposal of the
Centennial Committee. 1t is understood that
all articles sent to the Exposition viii belong
to the contributors, and may be sold for their
benefit or Withdrawn by them at its close.
In late exchange we find the following re-
lating to the preparations for the Centennial:
"A series of documents recently issued shows
that the Centennial enterprise at Philadelphia Is
making very satisfactory progress. Aitert failure
of the first efforts secure Congressional appro-
priation, the managers wisely determined to cut
their coat according to their cloth, and therefore
materially reduced the elaboraieness and cost of
their building plans. The expense of the main
exhibition building alone was cut down from s., ,0O0
900 to 81, $4,000 Sti the five structures proposed
seem to be on a sufficiently comprehensive scale,
namely; The main building covering 2l.47 acres,
art gallery covering Is acres machinery hall cover
ing IA acres, and agricultural hall covering l0I5
acres. BY these areas meant of course, not the
ground floors, but the entire available space for
exhibition purposes 1t comprises about ffty acres
In ALL whereas the great Vienna Exposition had but
about forty.fve.
'The foundations OF the main building are already
in, and work upon the superstruCture viii soon be
commenced. The Directors say that they have
every to believe that in year from this time
the building and grounds will be ready for the
Exhibition, four months before the day of opening
In view of the almost uniform experience in such
undertakings hitherto, if the preparations are COM
pete by the time set for the Exhibition to open It
will be all the public will expect. Twenty-four
foreign governments have signifed their intention
10 take part in the Rxpositiou-eight hundred
applications from Austria alone having already been
filed. There seems to be question that all the
space allotted will be taken up. Indeed, the
Directors do not see how the room that is asked for
by the different departments OF our Government
can be conceded and they suggest that the Govern.
ment ought TO construct separate building tor It's
own wants.
"In the matter Of finances, It Is estimated that
S. $4,000 win be needed, outside OF the - 10000
appropriated by the State of Pennsylvania aud the
city of Philadelphia. OF this sum 5000 600 have
been secured by subscription to the Centennial
stock, and it is estimated that s., $4,000 more will
be obtained in this way, leaving million aud half
unprovided for. This last sum, covering the |
expenses of the United States Commission, the
awards and police service 1t is thought ought to be
appropriated by the Government The Government |
plans Tor the exhibition to he made by the DEPART
ments will require about S97l 900, and President
Grant in bis message, on the subject, recommends |
the appropriation OF this sum. On the whole then |
allowing for the in some way Of this fnan
cal part Of the natter the Centennial appears to be
going on very well.n