Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-05-13
Letter from Philadelphia.

Much dissatisfaction is expressed at the
refusal of the Commissioners to open the
exposition grounds and buildings on Sun
day. Every paper in this city but ono
condemns this action, and almost all the
papers abroad that have seen. The facts
are that times are hard aud money very
stringent and labOring men cannot well
afford to lose two or three days time and
the money necessary to pay their way to
the centennial grounds us well. If the
grounds were opened Oil Sunday, not only
the poorer people of Philadelphia, bat
those of the towns of Connecticut, Rhode
Island Massachusetts, New York, Penn
syivaIia, Maryland, the District of Col
umbia, many parts of Virginia, West
Virginia and Ohio could with Il half hOl-
iday on Saturday, visit Philadelphia,
view at least in 4 cursory manner, all the
wonders congregated there, and return to
their labor by noon of Monday. Cheap
excursion trains would be run on all the
railroads, from the places indicated lcav-
ing some distant terminal point, on the
afternoon of Saturday, and arriving at
the grounds on Sunday mornings. The
people on these trains would be numbered,
not by thousands, but by hundreds OF
| thousands, every Sunday, and Il class OF
citizens who are now practically debarred
from seeing the Exposition, would be ell
abled to do so at 4 cost of time and money
consummate with their means. / was
present at the debate in the commission
on this subject, and heard no argument
in favor of the Sunday closing. l did
hear Il number of appeals to religious
| prejudces and some attacks, not in good
taste, upon the views of those who
thought that Sunday was not a day dedi-
Gated to aSceticism and monkish Seclu-
sion. The fact is, that to crafty the
prejddiceS of the few, the qualification OF
. the many has been deuied and hope %
see public opinion force the commission
to reverse its action on this question.
the commissioners and the executive and
finance committees. The executive com
mittee claims that the commissioners
have surrendered all power to them and
to the finance committee, thus contend
ing that the creature is greater than the
creator, and that the powers given to
them are irrevocable, and not subject to
revision. Much dissatisfaction was OK.
pressed by the commissioners, at the
manner in which the jurors were select
ed. Out of one hundred American jurors,
the committee had selected and notified
ninety, Of their appointment, and claimed
that when this had been done, the com.
graciously added twenty-five and allowed
the commissioners to recommend men tc
the committee for these places. In the
appointments that had been made, the
recommendations of the commissioners
had been generally ignored and nothing
like justice had been done in distributing
the jurors through the different sections
Of the country. Nearly ali of them came
from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New
York and Pennsylvania, the committed
seeming to have the idea that only froa
these States could men be found who
were competent. From all the Southern
States of the ninety appointed, | was
told only three men were selected. The
Southern and Western States complain O.
thi! and say that There are as many compe
tent men from their States, who woulC
like to have their expenses paid a. jurors
as there are from the sections favored BY
the coMmittee. A persistent effort is
being made to have railroad fares reduced
TO one-half the regular rates. Col Scot
of the Pennsylvania Central favored hi,
rate from the beginning, his mind being
comprehensive enough to see that the
cheaper rate would yield the road the
largest return. 1t is thought the reduc
tion will be secured.
Now as have given the dsagreeables
of the situation, will turn to the bright
er side. The buildings are all FINISHED
and everything received by the sixth
will be in place for the opening day. The
laggard5 among the exhibitors will have
to wait. Some of the State buildings
will not be finished and some of the small
er structures for private purposes. am
afraid that the magnificent fountain con
trihuted by the Catholic Temperance
Union, will not be completed by that
time. 1t is the finest OF the outdoor cx-
hibitions, and will be q centre of attrac-
ton in the grounds General Hawley
and Mr.. Goshorne have displayed great
executive ability and deserve great credit
for the manner in which they have over
come what to Others might have seemed
insupcrable difficulties, and have succeed
ed in getting everything ready for the
opening at the time announced | still
advise, edo not come until after the first
of June" MACK.
The Christian men in the Republic hold
the balance of power. If, refusing any
longer to be bound by party, they should
demand that, in the coming presidential
election, ONLY good men be put in nominal
ton, and should refuse to support any
man of either party who has not an I'M
blemishcd reputation as an honest, up
right man, they would develop such