Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-05-18


man up a tree it would seem that at
this time we could make dne allowance
for the shortcomings of our forefath-
ers. No doubt the members of the
Continental Congress did the best they
could with their limited advantages
and experience, but everybody will adj
NIT that the Congressman Of the pres
ent day could give them ten points and
discount them in some things--a game
Of draw poker for instance. There is
only one thing for which your cores,
pendent could never forgive the au-
thors of the Declaration of Independ-
ence, and that is the inhumanity OF
locating the Fourth of July in the
middle of the summer. However, we
are not discussing that point now.
Arrangements for the convenience
and comfort of visitors to the Exhibi-
ton are very complete and extensive.
Nothing that ingenuity could suggest
has been omitted yet with all this
people cannot expect to escape the
discomforts which are inseparable from
lprge gatherings. 1t is human nature
to ego with the crowd and the lar
ger the attendance promises to be the
more anxious people will be to go,
though the majority of them will new
er cease to complain of being jostled
and Inconvenience in the general
scramble. The department of public
comfort has commodious Office at the
main entrance, which includes a free
reading room, facilities for writing and
correspondence, together with lavato-
ries and closets, and a boot-blacking
and clothes brushing room. This de-
partment will undertake the care of
umbrellas, cloaks, shawls, &c., for
which checks are given, and when the
visitor is ready to leave his 'straps"
will be found at station in any part
of the ground he may designate. The
Centennial Rolling Chair Company
have provided 800 chairs elevated on
wheels, and so constructed as to be al
most noiseless, which for moderate
charge by the hour may be employed
to take persons where they like about
the grounds. The luxury Of the pro-
vision will be better appreciated when
it is understood that according to the
latest estimates a tour through the
aisles Of the principal exhibition build
Tags comprises walk Of forty miles.
A bank on the grounds, under the
management Of solid Philadelphians,
will receive deposits, cash drafts and
furnish exchange. A narrow guage
railway makes a circuit of the grounds
and connects with all the principal
buildings. 1t is provided with ears
furnished by various manufactures as
an advertisement. Telegraph conven-
fences and messenger facilities are pro-
vlded at several stations about the
grounds. By an ingenious contriv-
ance Of Mr.. W. S. Philips, Superin-
tendent of Telegraph, every one Of the
eighty turnstiles set at the several en-
frances Of the grounds will be con-
nected by wire with dial in the main
Office Of the Centennial Commission
When a person enters through turn
stlle he is instantaneously registered
on this dial. At any instant of the
day, therefore, it will be possible to
know, by glancing at the dial, the ex-
act number of people who have passed
the gates and are within the Exh1bi-
ton grounds and building.
The decision of the Commission to
close both buildings and grounds on
Sunday provokes good deal of dis
cussion, and it is certainly question
to which there is two sides, though on
the whole probably majority Of the
public will approve the action OF the
Board. There is no remarkable influx
of visitors as yet. Most of the down
town hotels are tolerably full, but there
is plenty OF room in the many new
caravansaries in the vicinity of Fair
mount Park. Don Pedro is here, and
has taken house in West Philadel-
pbia, for which he pays $50, 900 In
gold. This calls to mind another
HOUSEKEEPING incident recently related
A oou1 .sTo Let f7rpicbod -