The New York herald., 1876-03-13
Shall the Great Exhibition Be Closed
on Sundays?
A DECISION WHICH MAY BIZ REVERSED
A Little Row in PrOspect-A Hornets Nest in
Philadelphia-SOme Good Reasons Why
the Exhibition Should Be Open on
the Poor Mans Holiday,
pnlLApELpnIA, March II, ls7s.

I
desirable open the Exhibition on Sundays. The
stad and citizens OF the Quaker City have
long made up their minds on that scorethat is.
n one can Judge from the expressions Of leading repro
sentative like John Welsh. for instance tho Presi
dent the Centennial Board OF Finance and from the
vehement "fesouions'' meetings Of clergymen and
laymen and OF a Sabbatarian society whose name es-
capes me. AS this latter body, however, made very
foolish and OF course, unsuccessful attempt 10 close
the Geological Gardens Sunday, and actually to stop
the running Of street cars on that day; and they
10 BE- opposed TO all innocent recreation
on the OILY day thousands Of worthy people
have for relaxation, their expressions OF opinion
regarding the 'sanctity OF the Sabbath" are
of much weight. The very violence OF these gen.
tlemen is likely TO bring about the ''desecration"
they prevent by arousins all the latent spirit and
determination OF minority OF liberal minded Philade
phans who ready second outside efforts to com
pei the opening of the great Exhibition on Sundays
DECIDED, NOT DECIDED.
In more or less sympathy with this spirit those
Philadephians who 'run" the affairs OF the Centennial
Commisson-a body which only meets together once
year. the members being scattered throughout all tho
unIon-have long since decided and officially pro-
nounccd against opening Sundays, decision they
still stand by. That they will be obliged 10 revoke this
pronuncamento-willy nilly-now seems probable. II
has aroused the members OF the commission through
out the country many OF them do acquesce in
the decision 10 shut the gates on the workingmans
holiday There row in prospect over the matter.
The Executive Committee, which nomnaly repre-
sents the United States Centennial Commission, is re-
sponsble that body II reportits acts to the
commission When together annually, and II
I a majority OF the Commissioners disapprove OF the
measures adopted by their attorneys they can revoke
them summarily. With few exceptions the affairs or
the Centennial Commission and the Board OF Finance
have gone amlcably enough at the yearly gather
ings OF the Commissioners but TINS year, when the
meeting occurs, there will be a warm discussion over
question at least The next stated meeting Of the
| United states Centennial Commissioners from the
thrtyeght States OF the Union viii take place In May
next, Just before the opening OF the Exhibition ana
the Sunday question is sureto come up so that II can
by be regarded as settled yet notwithstand
ing announcements the contrary published far and
Wide.
GENTLE REMINDERS
Some OF the commissioner those from
/ the Western and Southwestern States-desre to
remind their colleagues in the Quaker City that
| the Exhibition emphatically not Philadelphia
/ affair II is q national institution, and not
only that, but an international one-a Worlds
| Far They think that there are some people out
side of Philadelphia who have right to say whether
or not the great Exhibition shall be closed on Sunday
/ They claim that II the wishes OF our foreign visitors
are worthy of being consulted in the matter cer
tanly those OF our counrymen are II majority Of the
representatives Of other States decide in favor OF
closing well and good, but II Is not the Intention to
allow Philadelphia alone, or Pennsylvania alone, TO
settle important matter These and other whole
some truths will be presented at the meeting and what
tho ultimate decision will be regarding this action OF
Committee cannot oil course be predcted
with certainty but from the expressions OF opinion OF
some OF the Centennial Commissioners from other
statS-when have talked with them from time to
that there n strong feeling opposed TO The present
serious condition OF the Sunday question. 1t may be
only the part of the minority because to Offset the
Western who in opposition are the Eastern men
with inherited and developed Puritan procvites, but
LEvEL-HEADED OPINION
Said one gentleman :''l am going TO vote In favor
OF keeping open tho Exhibitionthe grounds at least
! deCOrOuS machinery
tho Sabbath have the exhibitors IN the great cen
trail hall displaying their wares and 10 have buying and
selling going on there Therefore, let the Main Build
ing and Machinery Hall be closed But what narm can
there be in allowing people to visit the art galleries.
the Horticultural Building and tho Agricultural Hall on
Sundays, TO roam about the beautiful gardens filled
with flowers, fountains and statuary, INTO which the
I Exhibition grounds to be transformed? Beautiful
flowers and paintings. II they do not have refining,
Y aesthetic influence certainly tend TO educate and i'm
tho education OF our peopls-to be one of
tho great objects Of our Centennial Exhibit.
such grand opportunities while they lasiP You
will never see such another 1t is not only permitting
the innocent enjoyment OF the masses but Is minis
/ tering TO their minds as we'll
CONSISTENT
II most fortunate circumstance In the location
OF this exhibition that II Is within Paramount Park,
vertabe garden OF the gods for loyeliness Now no.
body thinks Of closing the rest OF the park on sun
DAYS lay when there ten times many visitors
upon any other Why should anybody be Inconsistent
enough to close the gates OF that part Of the
parkthe most attractive and the most Instructive OF
a-on the very day when the attendance will be arg
estY Shut up the restaurants and stop all work on
Sunday but let the people enjoy the beauty OF the
grounds the pictures the stauary and the flowers al
! least
SAID another:--"Look at this thing from ain economic
and practical point OF view. Let somebody with taste
for statistics estimate what the loss TO the industries
OF this great manufacturing centre viii be II our tens Of
thousands OF workmcn must leave their shops upon
secular day losing certainly one days work to see the
! Exhibition. How many mechanics and workingmen
can afford their loss OF time In addition to the atty
admission, which Is just twice as much as it
4 to see everything at visit suppose skilled me-
chanc in New York, Wilmington Baltimore or any
l where in this manufacturing district desires to
study and profit by the Exhibition without losing
valuable time from his work, which s o great vaiuc
20 him. II the exhibition Is open on Sundays be can
leave home Saturday night, wake up on the grounds,
and spend the whole day making MS investigations
lie will examine and compare the machinery tools and
processes OF his craft exhibited from every part o THO
world where they used and will be able to bc back
at his workshop Monday morning. Being a
thoughtful observant man, his visits ior he VIII prob
nby make more than orc) will be Of great value 10
him and his expenses Will be only his railroad fare,
his admission 20 the grounds and bis meals for one
day. II marrow. minded. sighted bgots deprive
artisans Of this advantage II will be great loss to
the skilled labor OF The country. Think how many
there are IN this city who cannot attend at all f they
cannot come on the poor mans holiday
When Chief Justice Read refused the Injunction 20
prevent the running Of passenger on Sunday ho
used memorable words, which apply just as well
10 the case IN point
We have public squares md rres. public park owned BY
fellow citizens and intended Tor her benefit and that of
merchants aud even judges days In the week IN
which enjoy al these and other advantages. and
which they cleaply Of the rail
ways The laboring the mechanic the artisan has
in which be rest, can dress himself ana ms
family in their comfortable sunday clothes attend church
then take heathul exercises but by this Injunction
carragc-he mans she passenger cnr-s
away and u permitted 20 for his accommoda
on The labOring and his children allowed
| sc Paramount Park. part Of bis own property
TRAGEDY ~ ACT
Another Commissioner said shat he trcmbled TO
think OF the fate Of Continental European In Phil
adclphia on a Sunday, With all amusement resources
denied him. The Philadelphia law regulating sunday
/ concerts or public amuscments OF any kind reg.
ulatesn them oct OF existence The gates OF the Ex-
/ hlbition grounds would be barred TO him. even the
chamber OF horrors called Independence Hail. would
be closed and more dismal than usual the street cars
would be running at long intervals, and with the sub
dued almost ess, air OF hearse, with no cheer
Z L..ran On