The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-12
The EXHIBITION.
The Centennial Commission Declared
a Merely Supervisory Body.
THE CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY
Opinions Of Charles 0'COnOr, Abraham Brown
ing, W. l. Hirst and Others.
EVILS OF DIVIDED POWER.
PuILApELrHrA. June IL,


PHILADELPHIA, June IL, 1876
The most important event that has occurred since
tho opening OF tho Exhibition is the conflict OF
thory between the United states Centennial Com
mission and the Centennial Board OF Finance The
Commissioners who were appointed under act OF Con-
gress by the Governors OF different States had very
little to do with the preliminary arrangements of the
Exhibition and almost nothing to do with she raising
OF tho necessary funds Some OF them represent States
which did contribute $50 and did not display any
interest whatever in the matter. so tho Board Of
Finance did tho hard work. and has still
the responsibility OF success or failure. This
all very satisfactory TO tho Commissioners
who when they Philadelphia at the opening Of
the Exhibition generously sanctioned what had been
done and gnncd their readiness to take charge OF the
celebration at once. This they did by attempting to
appoint all the officers and by voting themselves
Salaries which tho Board OF Finance called upon
to pay. That body weak enough yield in par, 10
this demand and has probab paid salaries without any
authority in law However, the Board became
rcbeious under the arrogance of the Commits.
sioncrs. ard determined to resist Tho natural
course would have been to have appealed to the law
but there well founded reluctance disgrace the
centennial celebration by dragging its business AZ
fairs through the courts The Board OF Finance there
fore, resolved 10 submit the disputed points to
OF the abes lawyers in the country. among whom
Charles O'Conor, of New York. Abraham Browning,
OF Camden ex-Chancelor b. Williamson and Cort-
land Parker, OF New Jersey; John G. Built, Henry
Wharton, William Henry Rawle, Richard l.. Ashhurst,
Richard c. McMurtre and William l.. Hirst, OF this
city, To these gentlemen the following questions
submitted
salaries 70 the rredent ana other officers OF the United
Has (.on mi the
point the police force required 70 keep ords take care Of
the exhibition or to fix their compcnsatong
WHAT THE LAWYERS DECIDE.
The opinions have just been delivered and are unani-
ecutivc body, and that the Commissioners en-
titled salaries or compensation, and possess i'm
mediate authority. Charles O'Conor says
lam Of opinion that. its body the Board
erence the conduct aud management Of tha. Exhibition
10 tor II.
ss m r.. !" nee o Sa the and
custody the buildings and other property employed in
the enterprise
Mr. Hirst dccarcs:-
have doubt whatever that tho office Of Centennial
Commissioner is honorary office conferred upon the
"na the President Of tho United states and the officer can
penses or support Board Of Finance II that
Board has herssoors 70 promote harmony submitted 70
they will be anxious to correct the abuse in future
over the trust the hands of Board Finance
who duty to and that the Board has
right limit the number and to regulate the appointment
OF employees.
Finally Mr. Browning, after an elaborate review Of
the act of Congress- says
for the Commissioners their officers hu the con-
ii ssE aa Sn s s
services should be gratuitous honorary The Conn
are bound BY them. The powers Of tile COMMISSIONERS in
KIND Of national s proceedings arc
conducted with the Popety aud dignity BETTING the
THE ErrEcT COMMISSIONERS
What will be the effect o. these opinions upon the
stand that they formally agreed refer the dispute to
arbitration. Some O: them may have the good
accept the voice OF the lawyers as the Voice OF the
law and abandon their present untcnabe position. But
the great majority Will not yield their claims the
bidding OF Mr. Charles O'Conor Mr.. Browning
They have been anticipating nice time this summer
at the Exhibition, which is not only attraction in
itself but conveniently near to Cape May. Long
Branch, New York Atlsntic City ana other popular
compensation, these delights could be chcaply OBJ
tanned by drafts upon the treasury, but Commission
would DO rather expensive for some OF
them. That they expected to be supported
in virtual idleness by the stockholders OF tho
Exhibition is well known, aud has caused considerable
indignation what service they rcnccr 10 the grand
is Of those things which, us Duudreary says
'.Nobody find out" The only thing they have
done OF the slightest importance is 10 close tho Exhbi
Sunday, and for that very Christian act they
expect their reward hereafter They do get many
thanks in this world. and 1t is dubious whether they
Will receive crowns OF glory in the next
POSSIBLY IRREpREssIBL. CONFLICT.
These legal opinions Instead OF settling the dispute
are likely TO revive II with even more bitterness
There are lawyers and lawyers and IL would be very
hard ii General Hawlcy and his mpanon Commission
ers could not lind legal authorities TO sustain their
claim the right 70 dip their HANDS in tho general
fund.- and perform their supervisory duties at
body clsc's expense than their own. Thus, there Is
danger Of an unsc smiy aud dcrcdablc light for the
control OF the Excbition There Is theory here that
all tho faults and shortcomings OF the show 10 he
cuscd the ground that they ought to be accepted
proofs Of the culture and progress OF the country.
That is, MS 1 understand it, that bad painting or
81 aiuc should be exhibited, TO prove that American
painters and sculpors are not yet quite as great
Rafracc or Michael Angelo, and that there should be
pitch pavement to represent the imperecton OF the
streets OF great cities Upon this theory the dis
graceful between the two boards may be Jus
fed as IL excmpdcs the natoua thirst for Office and
power which is attributed 10 Americans. From any
other point Of view, however, the prospect that the
Exhibition Is to be turned into . Donnybrook Fair
must be deeply regretted.
THE DOUBLE HEADED GIANT.
II has been said that the Centennial Exhibition Is
without head This Is mistake; Tor from the facts
already gwen Il Is pain that It has two heads. each
o which claims to be the superior OF the other The
conflict OF these gigantic brains dstracts the body and
limbs and Is Of tho principal reasons why the
hibton is not better managed amt mas not made
greater progress A two headed child at a faIr is
curious sight II agrees with itself one head
wants The feet TO 20 oac way, and tho
Is sleepy, the other insists singing. and II has
signed the pledge the other will 20 on drinking TIL The
common body becomes intoxicated This is a clear
ter than onc' and the Exhibition furnishes excel
lent example Of the iaacy. There is divided rsspon-
sbility ana the exhibitors and employees II one
established acknowledged authority to which 10 look
for advice direction. There Is chaos In this condi-
ton II Is well known that 1t has caused great deal
of discomfort and that complaints. OF which The public
seldom hears. are continually beng made. Individual
OF wrong are rcmcdcd often, but that Is all
There is no general ruc enforced. The two-headcd
giant cannot make up his MINDS and there will be
reform until OF the heads rs crcctualy muzzled
permanently put in bag.
PEcrSIAEy Loss INFLICTED
Another effect OF this divided authority is directly
Injurious the finances oil the Exhibition. The nun
Der OF non paying visitors has. increased rapidly
the opening, till now II averages IL 600 OF tn.s
Der large proportion docs not represent exhibitors
officials aborefs members OF the press per-
sons who entitled TO free admittancc. There Is
little doubt but that the Commissioners have caused
masses to be issued to many people who have other
rights than those OF the public. The pariiaity thus
shown will result IN serious loss 10 tho of
the Exhibition and will no doubt at future time
receive investigation.
SUNDAY AT GROUNDS.