Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-09
OPENING OF THE CENTENNIAL E&-
HIBITION.

| 1nt opculuS vi tuc Seutepuia' '>N
ton at Philadelphia takes place on We'd
nesday of this week. The exercises upon
the occasion will be grand and Impressive.
The nation will be represented on Inc
platform by the President. Cabinet, Su'
preme Court, Senate and House OF Rep
resentatives, the diplomatic corps Will be
present. also the Governors OF all the
States with their respective stalls anu
vast multitude of people gathered IRON
all parts of this country, mingled with
which will be representatives from near
" all nations and peoples on the face OF
the globe 1t will be an inspiring sight,
such as never was seen before on this con-
tinent, such probably as will not be wit
messed again for another century.
The preparations for the exhibition are
not yet entirely completed. Though the
public have been advised of the necessity
of being on the ground early with what
ever they intended to EXHIBIT. there has
been great diatoriness in getting their ar
ticles upon the spot and properly placed,
so that much remains yet to be done to
give the exhibition its full and perfect
shape. After the opening, however, what
is to be done must and will be done
quickly. The first of June will doubtless
find everything in perfect order.
And now that the exhibition is so soon
to open there will be general inquiry as
to the expense of getting to Philadelphia
and the ways and means and cost of liv.
ing after reaching there. These things
have been well considered by those i'm
mediately interested. Measures have been
taken for reduction of fares on the great
lines of travel, and accommodations have
been supplied to board and lodge vast
number in Philadelphia at reasonable rates.
The Committee on Accommodations for
Visitors TO the Centennial say "there is
"no doubt of Philadelphia being able to
"entertain. if necessary. at reasonable
"prices, 900 persons, and if further
"pressed, to comfortably lodge and care
for 200, 900 persons" The best hotels will
not charge over s., per day for
board, while in boarding houses meals and
lodging may be had at 81 so per day
For respectable board the last named sum
is certainly as cheap as it can be afforded.
Beside the places of accommodation reck-
oned by the committee in making the
above calculation there will be other places,
many of which, however, no decent per-
son would care to enter.
In the matter of travel great pains have
been taken to accommodate the crowds
that are expected to attend, and to make
the fares reasonable. Excursion tickets by
the best railroad lines give a reduction OF
about twenty-five per cent. The arrange
ments in Philadelphia by steam and horse
cars is such that 10000 persons per hour
can reach the exhibition from any part CT
the city. One minute after the arrival of
trains on all main lines entering Philadel-
phia the passengers can be within the ex-
hibi,ion. There are suggestions made
that the rates of travel may be reduced
still more towards the close of the exhibit
ton. but the firmness with which the rates
now adopted are maintained does not in
dictate yielding in the future.
A recent circular from President Haw-
ley informs the public that the sanitary
condition OF Philadelphia is good, thai
rational amusements have been provided.
that measures of protection have been
taken agains. fires, thieves. etc, and that
within the exhibition everything has been
done that could be for the comfort, safety.
happiness and pleasure of the public. The
circular closes with the following words
1.-The buildings of the Exhibition are in
"order. The Exhibition will promptly
"open on the 10th of May, and is an as
"sured fact. All preparations have been
"made on a gigantic scale. Philadelphia
land her citizens have spent millions in
preparing for the reception and care OF
"guests. There is no disposition or evil
"dence of extortion. Increased bus
''iness at usual rates is considered suf-
efficient compensation for the vast
"amount of capital and labor ex-
"pended. Living is as cheap, if not cheap
ger, than in any large city In America.
Accommodations are unsurpassed. All
"grades of society can be accommodated
RAILROAD and transportation facilities are
''unequalled. 1t now needs but the pres
"ence of the public to crown with triumph
"the greatest international Exhibition in
'history. commemorating the one hun
"dredth year of the nations life.
Acting for the government and the
"people. we invite all to aid by their pres
"ence no less than by their exhibits, and
ito come from all parts of the world and
meet US at this assemblage of the ma
''tions of the earth"
|
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