The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-05-26


of the other, both gave the turn sim
ultaneously. In an instant the great
wheel started to motion, and the obe-
dent looms began their rounds of six
months like an ark of machinery set
afioat Tor d voyage to preserve the ere
ations of man. Meanwhile the gongs
and steam whistles, the firing of one
hundred guns on Georges Hill and the
music of the chimes of bells in the
towers had been signalling the ap-
proach of the grand finale. Then the
vast assemblage dispersed as they de-
sired, and the formalities were over
until the 4th of July brings more splen-
did pageants. By night the illumina-
ted streets drew down their crowded
aisles the resident and visiting thous-
ands, and it seemed Roman carnival
in the Quaker City.
So the triumph of the formal open
ing exceeded the most sanguine expec-
tations and insures q magnificent sue
cess throughout. 1t is impossible to
obtain an accurate statement of the
number of pereons within the grounds
on Wednesday, because the turnstiles
are not in perfect running order and
did not register correctly, but estimates
range from $50, 900 to $50, 900. Proba-
bly, even the lowest estimate is rather
high as thousands upon thousands did
not get in at all. A change is evident
ly needed in the regulation prescribed
by the Department of Admissions,
which obliges every visitor to pay a
fifty-cent note. The absurdity of re-
fusing dollar for two persons, or two
dollars for four, is too evident and an
noying to be long continued. Hun
dreds were tdrned back from the gates,
which they had gained by patient
waiting in line, and obliged to fall in
at the end of longer one at the Office
for changing money, or submit to the
extortion of the speculators in fifty
Gently notes. This class made small
fortune by means of this regulation
Everybody sees the reason why the
gatekeepers cannot make change; but
nobody understands why a dollar bill
cannot be put in the box in payment
for two admissions, as well as two half
dollars. All that is requisite is that the
gate keeper should have as much mon
ey in his box as the register on his turn
stile calls for. On Wednesday stall
wart countryman offered one dollar
bill for himself and wife, and was told,
like thousands of other visitors, that
he must bring two fifty-cent notes.
He expostulated little while with no
effect but to irritate the gatekeeper.-
Then he roared in a voice of thunder:
''Take the money and let us in or I'll
knock you down." The affrighted Off
cial broke the rule and allowed them
to pass in.
From the experience so far it is pref
ty clear that the facilities for accom-
modating visitors with bed and board
will be ample, and some of the greedy
Iandlady's who have counted upon
slowing dodgers away in tiers four or
five feet deep, at charge of 81, 900
per minute will learn a lesson. It is
not likely there will be 30 many here
at any one time during the season, ex-
cept on the 4th of July, yet the capac-
ity of the hotels was not fully taxed
Here are samples of the statistics re-
ported officially: The Continental Ho-
tel, in the heart of the city, has a ca
pacity of about 200. On Tuesday
night they registered over 900, and
Wednesday there were only 1G0 depart
ur,s. The Girard House, also in the
heart of the city, also nearly touched
its zero mark, taking in 7S0 guests, its
capacity being ], 900. The Globe Ho-
tel, standing as it does at the gates of
the Exposition, dined 2, 200 people on
Wednesday and lodged 1, 400; 800 went
away the following day.
And now that the preliminaries are
disposed of / can in future letters give
Detailed descriptions of what there is
on exhibition. The display exceeds
most peoples anticIpatioDs. Ahurried
tour through the Art Hall-of itself
Joy yforever-Hortieultural Hall, Agri-
cultural and Machinery Halls, the diff
ferent departments of the main build
ing and the various foreign and state
pavilions is only just enough to sharp
en- ones curiosity and give an idea of
the immensity of the Exposition. The
festive piepoeket is about and thieves
have already commenced their work,
several articles for exhibition having
been missed within the past few days.