National Republican., 1876-01-13
LEI JUSTICE BE DONE.

1t is frequently alleged that when the
laws Of 1912, making provision for the
Centennial celebration, were passed, certain
Representatives OF Pennsylvania gave as
suranceS that the people of that State would
furnish the necessary capital, and that the
Government would never be called upon
for any portion Thereof. This may or may
not be correct; but il is clear that Congress
did not intend to embrace any such prOpo-
sition, for the third section of the act of
June, 1872, incorporating the Centennial
Board Of Finance, makes provision for ap-
poTtioning said capital among the several
States and Territories upon the basis of
population. 1t is clear, then, that the ex-
pectation was that the capital should be
furnished, not from one or two States, but
all the States. But suppose some real foun-
dation for this plea existed? Let us inquire,
in the pursuit of justice, how far Pennsyl-
vania would fall short of the redemption of
the pledge of her Representatives?
The total amount of capital raised up to
December I, 1875, was $5,1S7, 500. OF
this amount 81 1899, 700 was raised within
the limits of Pennsylvania, and the re-
mainder (s4S7, S00) from the States; 81, ,J00,- :
COO in addition is necessary to complete
and open the buildings free Of debt, and
Ibis amount it is proposed to furnish by the
bill now before Congress. 1t is maintained
by those engaged in the financial depart
ment Of the Centennial work that it is vir-
tuallY impossible to raise It from the people
in the present depressed monetary condi-
ton Of the country: and if the bill now
pending be defeated, then one Of two things
must happen-the Centennial preparations
will have 10 remain incomplete, or the
State Of Pennsylvania be compelled to pro-
tCct the honor and dignity of herself and
sister States by furnishing 1,JOO, 600 in
addition to her present contribution, there
by swelling her total contr button to So
1870, 7CC-out of Sc. 6S1, ,;O0, the entire sum
necessary for the preparations. Surely no
member Of Congress, in view of these facts,
will maintain that the r representatives. of
Pennsylvania, whatever they may have said
at the beginning, have not come up to the
highest expo Citations; and we cannot suppose
that any one will seek to force the alterna-
tives that must arise from the defeat of the
bill, to wit: either that the work shall fail,
or that Pennsylvania shall furnish an addi-
tional million and half of capital.
Tie appropriation prayed for would do
more than to merely supply the capital
needed by the managers to complete the
preparations. 1t wonld serve to connect
each State and Territory with the celebra-
ton, and give each right to boast of hay
ing some interest in the glorious work
Ii is true that the tic would be slender
one. amounting to 81 cents per capita on
the inhabitants of the country, but still it
would perfect the national character of the
celebration, so that history could truthfully
say it was the work of all the States and all
thepeople, and surely the cost and effort to
maintain ceremonies in honor of those who
founded the Republic ought to be the work
Of all, as its sacred memories, its hallowed
associations and the mighty record of its
achievements are the treasures of all the
people. Again we say, let justice be done.