The Morning herald., 1876-08-07
TIE GREAT SHOW
y rrw AUn0TloHs HoR AHsWAs

the M0O08 o1W 49,
- shown Up.
We are In quandary about more things
than one. The 6rst / mention shall be the
most absorbing just ct this time. VIII the
sunshine afker It's long absence be benefit
or an injury TO the Centennial. During the
excessive warm weather there was despe-
rate struggle for the mastery between the
heat and patriotism, and as far as my oD-
servxtion extends, think the heat came on
the victor. During its prevalence the At
tendance ut the Exhibition was very slen.
der, and gave reason for themany expressed
fears that It would not be success financi-
ally. Many days 1t did not reach more
than half of what 1t was each day Of the
first month of the opening. But when every
one had begun to feel as near like dish
rag as possible, without being one, the cool
weather arrived, and the attendance began
Ito pick up. Even in this we found some
disadvantages. For . whole week 1t rained
with but few intermissions, and then in be-
draggled skirts and muddy boots the Cen
tennial was viewed but under SCI ious incon-
vepiences. and If the weather had been
cool ard clear the attendance might have
been larger. But now that old Sol has
made his appearance and there Is every
prospect for more hot weather, we are In q
uusndary to know if 1t will not cause dim
mutton In the attendance.
The next quandary is whether the Centen-
nial has been benefit or an injury to this
city. This is very serious matter of con-
sideration, If can take what many of the
leading citizens say, as of any Importance.
Conversing yesterday with newspaper man
who gives the people some brilliant ideas IN
his editorials I was informed by him that
Philadelphia should make the most of the
| Centennial, as it will not always be with us.
There is no question of doubt, he said, that
It has been benefit to US. The construc-
ton of the buildings and other work gave
employment to thousands, who would
otherwise have known the want of food. 1t
has attracted large plumbers here who have
distributed their money. It has pushed
business which would without have stood
still, and in this way has helped Phila-
delphia. But, ne added, there must be g
reaction, and it will be reactiOnary influence
THAT will be felt seriously. These preat
Icrowds will soon have dispersed for theil
homes this will remove the leaven of bust
ness that which will unnerve the stimulus
of business. Our people here have spent al
the money they have to spare entertaining
visitors and doing the Centennial, and whel
the excitement ends, the business pulse
will cease in their activity, and every
thing will be fiat again, even wors
, than It was before the Cen
tennial begun. This is the reason we .hea
the question often asked II the Centennia
has been benefit or an injury to this city
, and it is one that many Of the merchant
have cause to feel anxiety about. A larg
dealer on Chestnut street, in ladies dres
goods informed me few days since that h
!, was under a rent of twenty-five thousan'
: dollars year, and that but for the transien
trade the Centennial has brought In,
o would be impossible for him to keep VI
with the amount he has to carry on hi
books. After the exhibition ends thi
transient trade ends, and there will be som
tremendous crashes in this city.
The floating population of Philadelyhi
for the last few months has undoubtedl
accom- plished double purpose in its visit
1t has seen the great exhibition, and mad
purchases, which those residing in smal
communities, do not have opportunities 9
accomplishing with such advantages a
0 here. In this way large amounts of none
e have been brought among us and give
: business q sort of fitful fever or fresh start
The papers are all of the impression tha
}, the exhibition has not been as great q sue
e cess as it might have been If well managed
j They do not attribute the blame dcfnitel
to any source, but state that one yer
7 serious error on the part of the manage
t ment, to which this is in a great measur
;. attributable, has been the failure to ope
e the buildings on Sunday, and another ha
8 been the great oversight the commissioner
J. made in not allowing the admission {
/ schools and excursions of Children at ha
a price sooner than they did, and to expret
n it very plainly: the affair has not been maj
aged in business like manner. The maj
n agement have been too mnch disposed to n
t gard it as a good thing that the peop
's would come to see through curiosity, witt
e out any special inducement from then
The great show is advertisement enougl
without doing anything more towards
and this is just where they have made
mistake. In these times of business d
preston, and the scarcity of money, fif,
h cents is not an amount that everybody ca
# raise without difficulty, and when lar@
l. bodies apply for admission it is no mo-
than reasonable that they should expe
. 1,~ Dc, b,,t rooo,,