The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-13
THE CENTENNIi EXHIBITION.
Tho Number Of vi-itors-The sunday and
Liquor Questions Unsettled.

PuuApELPHIA, May 12-This has been n
quiot day at tho Exhibition grounds. The gene
raj understanding that the show Is not yet ready,
and the rain storm carly In the afternoon, doubt
less kept many away. dlfnculty In estimating
the numbers Of visitors lies In the greatness OF
the area over which they are scattered, and no
help to getting the fact Is afforded by those in
charge Of admissions. Gucsscs at to.day's 0g-
ures range from 20.OO0 to 5O,COO but probably the
former Is nearer right. The vast buildings dur
ing the showers, when few persons were
out OF doors on the grounds, had no ap-
pearanco OF being crowded in any part
excep. In the Main Building while the orchestra
Yves PLAYING. from hlf-past until O'Clock. In
that building was the furthest advance toward
readiness. and consequently the most attraction.
Agricultural Hall was next In approach To COM
pleteness. The enormous engine In Machinery
Hall was set In motion at o'clock, but only
twenty. seven machines out OF many hundreds
had been attached 20 tho shaftings. Memorial
Hail, and It's dditiOn, containing the SCULPTURE
and pictures, were made ugly by uoxes' straw,
and fha litter of unp1 ching. Everywhere on the
grounds were busy workm,n arranging exhibiis
indoors, or citing numerous bdndings IN the
opcn Dir despite tho rain, and receiving about rs
much attention "A the things rerul ry on exhi-
billion. The rain fell heavier as the afternoon
passed. and the atmcsnhcre grew murkicr, so
that cheetlcssness became the chief phase OF
the exhibition. Swift progress was made, how
ever, In perferting the arrangement OF eNhibits,
and early next week visitors may find no cause
for disappointment In tlat par;icular.
The Centennial Commissioners hold private
meetings daily, and almost ms often discuss the
iiquOr and sunday questions. They are DIS
posed to nnnul some Of tAe regulations made
by tho Board OF Finnncc, and majority has
been red upon "a fivoring the opening of
| the grounds on sundays. In the meeting this
afternoon an effort was made TO make the DIS
| cussiOn public by re ding. In an open session,
| the minutes OF the last executive ses-
| sion. and a majority voted favorahly: but the
| temporary Chairman, Mr. kimball of New York,
! ruled tnat those minutes could only bo read In
| an executive session. a strong pressure IL
M de for Snndly opening. As to the sale q In
tuxtcntina drink on thn grounds, the rule Of the
7, rk Cou.mis toners pr hihiing II Is violated by
| an VINO had bought the privilege of he Finance
| Bo rd. II this meeting eX-Gov Loring offered
| a resolution intended TO secure conference
| about uniform coin &c bY various countries. lie
| said that the Russl n Minister Lad recon-
mended such thing. Severl Commissioners
ex ressed the opinion that subjects dis
come cted with the Exhibition ought not
| to be dealt with bv the Commission
| rs contrs versies, even political controversies
| might follow. Mr.. Lcrin9 aoly pressed his reso-
| luton, on the ground that 1t was In the line oi
| the Commission proper business something
| relating to trade. conn cree. and Industries
| an saved his resolution. This result probably
| exprcs sea the determination OF the Commit sion
| to enter into "a wider work than the simple
management Of the Exhibition. The resolution
| provides for n committee CT three Americans tC
| confer with representatives. OF foreign countries
| for he purpose OF eeylsing and recommending
| "a plan f0T "a uniform basis OF coinage.