Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-05-06


close upon us now. Somehow or other the
time has rolled around since the great chow
was organized, and here we stand very near
to the accomplished fact. 1t has been for
a long while Centennial or nothing with us,
yet it has been a topic Of which people have
not wearied. This was In the prospect;-
how in the fruition it may be, remains to
be seen. The amount of pleasure to be got
out of the Exposition depends on the rea
reasonable way in which people
set about enjoying themselves. 1t
can be easily seen that to take the holiday
season in hurried and feverish manner
will soon cause more Of feeling of distaste
than pleasure. Indications OF furry and
restlessness are not wanting, but it is to be
hoped. with the exhibition in good working
order, that sight seers will not attempt too
much-not get weaned before they fully
realize what tile great fair is. Nothing is
clearer than the fact that without definite
plan of action visitors may tire themselves
thoroughly and gain very limited notion
Of thesexrent of the exhibition. The virtue
OF moderation was never more real than i'll
this care.
THE SUNDAY CLOSING QUESTION.
The conviction that the Commission
made a vast mistake in deciding to close
the Exposition on Sunday grows speedily.
By that act it settled the question of the re-
paym ent Of stockholders-se settled it negc-
tlvely and most 1eclslvely. IL threw away
revenue which makes all the difference be-
tween financial success and failure. for
without Sunday ADMISSIONS no one believes
that the Exposition can make both ends
meet 1t is not the first few weeks, or the
holiday time about the 4uh of july that
am considering At those periods of course
the grounds will be thronged, aud would
| be at even a dollar a head. Bit Elk
months season is a different matter the
hot weather will tell the story and it will
be seen then whether or no it was vice to
shut the Centennial gates against working
people. For that is what this decision
amounts to, There was never more ridic-
| ulous argument than the one which alleges
that mechanics, and people of that class,
can obtain sufficient opportunities for week
day sight-seelng. Does experience chow
that these people take holidays through the
week to any extent? Suppose working
man does take his time once or twice in the
summer,-how does chat compare with the
26 Sundays on which the Fair will be open
If he went every other Sunday there would
be thirteen admissions against the one OF
two that would be likely in the other Gaze.
The reference is not only to Philadelphia
but to the immense classes in all round a.
bout sections who would make up Sunday
excursions. In brief, the decision is equal
" unjust and foolish, and it seems impos
sible but that it will be speedily reconsider
ed. Visitors may go on Sundayt to the"Zoo,
or the Mercantile Library, but they may moi
go to the Cattle Exhibition or the museum
of the Smithsonian Institute on the Ex.
position grounds they may 20 to the
Academy Of Fine Arts Exhibition, but no
to the Picture Gallery in Memorial Hall
The decision is cruel to those who have
lsid much store by the Exposition and who
are now practically shut out, and it is stu
pid blundering from q business point o.
view.
THE LIQUOR QUESTION.
The commission was very declded abou
Sunday closing but 1t has carefully dodgeC
the point of ram selling on the grounds
Here was place where it could have plant
ed it's foot firmlv and to advantage. WIZ
did it not do SO? Because large sums o
money had been paid for concessions" o.
this kind, and which it would be necessary
to refund if another course was taken
There is a very good case in law agains
liquor selling on the grounds, an ordinance
expressly declaring that no liquor shall b
sold anywhere in Paramount Park and apar
from this it carnot be disputed that, from
high and sound view, such traffic must b.
hurtful. The feverishnees just now allu
ded to will get no help from the torrents o
lager and more hurtful beverages whicl
will be imbibed, and we may know how {.
rightly locate the "overcome by the heat,
which will before long form regular de
partment in Centennial reports. How mucl
wiser to have banished rum from tn
! grounds (outside unhappily it must have il
way, ITO have made Sunday an open day lik
the rest, and-not least important-to hav
I made the admission fee % cents. On thi
last point, as on the others named, event
will shortly show the authorities TO hav
+: blundered. At present the Scot. fee ma
serve. but when the novelty wears off-a
it will long before the 10th Of November
there must be change, or emptiness.
: PRosPEoT FOR THE OPENING.
An immensity of work is accomplishe
daily on the grounds, and if we could hav
I three weeks more we should doubtles
:: be in perfect order for tile oper
ing. The real trouble, on and ur
doubtedly after the 10th, will not b
80 much in lack of things to observe as i
: the difficulty of further arranging the exhi
! bition in the presence Of the crowds. whic
y at the beginning will be enormous. In vie
y of so much that is attractiveI do not believ
d there will be great deal of disappoin
~ OkSN-
ing, except perhaps with strangers who wi
have only the immediate opportunity, an
who cannot return-say in months tim
= when the fair will be in its glory e
1t much to be done, and all at once. 1t is bt
% wildering, and those concerned find then
!, selves working harder over a merry-makin
~ than ever they did IN their lives. The al
rangements for the Inauguration are pull
y lished with great detail, but as yet ther
Is are no signs upon the ground of the plai
); J.; forms for the musicians, chorus and invite
u guests. The Custom House, where th
! grand stands are to be located is fairl
humming with work, and no one can ga
when the cry of "halt' will be heard. "Re
- publican Avenue" the space betwee
. Main Building and Memorial Hal, should
= = this time be in process of being made pr,
= sentable, but it remains just as it di
u months ago, Uttered up in an indescribab
Y degree and with no present attempt to Ia
u vulcanite walks, or in any way to prepai
!, for the crowds of next Wednesday. Til
ls outside show is simply wonderful /; its no'