New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-16
[ Special Correspondence of the Republican.
CENTENNIAL NOTES.

The question as to opening the gates of
the exposition on Sunday was definitely set
tied on Friday in the negative by vote Of
90 to 10. The commissioners have been be-
seiged BY those for and against it and
overrun by petitions, and the decisive vote
by which it was decided ag sinst the inno-
walton will probably discourage any further
attempts to reverse the rule that was
adopted at the beginning. The whole ques-
ton was exhaustiveiy argued, and there
was great diversity of sentiment devel-
oped. One of the strongest points in its
favor was that made by Archbishop Wood,
recommending that it be open on part of
the day on Sunday, thus allowing people to
attend church in the morning and the ex-
position in the afternoon. But had this
concession been made, it is probable that
very little, comparatively, could have been
seen, as most of the cases would be covered
and the exhibitors absent.
Hon. d. j. Morrill,, who spoke very elo-
quently, said that personally he fears moth
ing, but before God he was afraid to open
the gates on Sunday. He knew that it was
fearful responsibility. He thought as
soon as they wers opened there would be
an earthquake beneath their feet, and q
war upon them by an outraged religious
sentiment, which would outlast the longest
life.
Mr.. Kimbail, of New York, said that
there would be 5000 newspapers and 100000
pulpits against them if they decided to open
the grounds on Sunday.
Mr.. Nelson, of Alabama, said that the
archbiehep had written his letter, favOring
the opening, because there were seven mil
lions of Catholics who attend church.
Mr.. Donaldson was in favor Of running
the exhibition in favor of the greatest num-
ber. He said that many Of the hotel and
restaurant keepers were strenuously op-
posed because its opening would diminish
their liquor sales. believe that majority
OF the exhibitors opposed the proposition,
and many said they would not have partici
pated had they supposed such action would
receive favorable consideration. The main
argument in its favor was that it would
afford the laboring classes and artisans an
opportunity to see the exhibits from an
educational point of view.
Many manufacturers had completed ar
ransements to send relays of men here
allowing them pay and their admission fees
Machinists generally will be interested in
the contents of Machinery Hall, and will,
no doubt, profit by their visit here.
There is great variety of fire engines
here and from all quarters. The curfew
bell which was used as protection against
fire in '!ye olden time" is shown, and all
improvements down to the Silsby steam
fire engine. which is in the entrance to the
hydraulic annex Of this department. The
Silsby rotary steam fire engine consists of
pair OF corrugated cams, running together
within an eliptical steam-tight case. The
steam enters on one side of the engine and
exhausts on the other, turning the two ans
in its passage This engine performs good
service with very low pressure of steam,
from fifty to sixty pounds being all that is
required. The action between the engine
and the pump is direct, the outside gears
pressure. The water in the pump enters
and exhausts the same as the steam in the
engine. The boiler is peculiarly constructed,
beng both tubular and tubulous; that is,
there is an extended heating and circulat
ing service of water tubes. A very valu-
able novelty in the boiler is the apparatus
by which water is fed into the boiler at q
temperature of 2l2o from tank, though
the boiler can also be fed with cold water
or from the main pump. The boiler itself
will raise steam from cold water in from
four to six minutes; but the general
custom is to keep the water in the boiler
heated from the boiler below the floor Of
the engine house, the two being attached
by rubber hose. A very ingenious arrange
ment separates the two boilers instantaue-
ously without any screwing up Of the pipes
BY which the water flows from one to the
other. A valve is placed in each of the
two pipes, the valves being supported by
keys united by light chain. On the
alarm of fire slight pull at the chain with
draws both keys, the two valves fall, and
both pipes are closed. ANXIOUS.