Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-27


tenial exhibition will outstrip every
thing the following comparison o
buildings, ETC., shows:
Where held. Acres. build'gs. Visits hib's
London. .....1S51 20 $4,000 6170000 17G0
New York. 1858 524 5tQ0G0 $4,000 4.S9
London. 1852 "A 2.3Olo09g .6,21110S 2i,3t
Paris........1S67 40H 4,596,I63 100000 ~
Vienna. :.lS!3 50 9S5o0eo 7s3to6l d sta 7VeT oys
Philadel pha1S76 IS 6,524,05V 1uOpO,000 t0,Jol
The number of visitors and exhibi,
tors for the coming Exposition is, Of
course, estimated, and it remains to be
seen how much the prevailing "hard
times" modifes these calculations. II
all the anticipations Of our delighted
tonifaces and expectant tradesman are
realized they will be happy, and it will
be one more instance wherein ''Bobby
Burns lines about The best laid plans
of mice and men" do not apply. Not
villager or hamlet in all the land will
be without representation here to see
and rejoice.
No fairer spot on earth could have
been found for the purpose, and view
ed from Georges ftill--a commanding
elevation in Fairmount Park-the
rising accommodating buildings of the
Exhibition appear with their diversl-
fed architecture, gay colors, and gilt
tering trophies, in the sunshine, like a
new city Of fairyland The majestic
long rooflines of the main building and
the machinery building the colossal
statues on the dome and roof of Me-
mortal Hall, and the granite eagles
lowering over its pavillions the Goth
ic arches Of Agricultural Building -
its roof Of unpainted tin flashing even
stronger lusts than the crystal shield
of the beautiful mauresque Horticult-
ural Conservatory little further away
these, together with the numerous
other buildings completed and in every
stage of erection by workmen whose
trowels and hammers make gentle
distant din, compose scene that when
the leaves of the Intervening trees
grow out in May will have no counter
part in any traveller S memory. 1t was
in this bright, airy, and graceful Horti-
cultural Hall, with its arched roof and
beautiful colors, that the famous Coon
gressionaI spree, on the 18th of De
cember last, eliminated in a grand
banquet. In this enticing place, Con-
eress, the Supreme Court, and the
President and Cabinet, together with
numerous representatives of the ''third
estate, y sat down together and drank
Philadelphia wine. This is said to be
the shrewd device by which the Gov
ernment appropriation was carried, but
[ do not believe it. Many Congress-
men who enjoyed the goodies of that
occasion voted 40 on the bill, even at
the risk of having their patriotism
questioned. [ was in Washington
while the matter was pending, and
know that it was not lack of patriotism
which caused those adverse votes 1t
was the overpowering triumph of that
very sentimental patriotism that car
ried the measure against other power
ful Influences and considerations.
Dissatisfaction has been expressed that
affair is in the hands of corporation,
and some greedy spectators whose
object is gain to make few private
fortunes. [ think this is simply croak-
ing, but promise to inquire into them
and watch them, and tell you more
about them in my next.
For full descriptions of the build
ings, and what is to be seen and done
the details Of rules, regulations. and
unique things to transpire in connec-
tion with the Centennial; the opening
May 10th, and the 4th of Jaly Jubi-
lee, etc, must employ future letters.
There are many interesting things to
write abont, but this letter already ex-
ceeds the space reasonably belonging
to it. [ have rambled around and
talked good deal without saying any
thing. Some of the funniest things [
have observed are those curious Japs
and the 'heatheu Chinee." All Sin
and Ching -chow-hi will be at the Cen
tennial.