The Portland daily press., 1876-11-28
Boston, Nov, 26, 1876.

Boston. Nov. 26, 1876.
Lured by temptation of meeting dslexA-
tion from the Centennial Commission came
hither yesterday to dine with the Commercial
Club at the Revere House. The principal
guests were Gen. Goshorn, Mr.. Cochrsue of
Philadelphia, and Mr.. Hammond. the repre-
sentative of the Chinese Empire at the Conten-
nial. The company sat down at $50 D. m. and
the entertainments lasted until after eight In the
evening. Mr.. Gambler presided and speeches
we're made by Gen. Goshoru, Gov. Rice, Mr..
Hammond, VIM. B. Spooner, Edw. 8. Tobsy,
Curtis Guild, Gen. A. B. Underwood, Mr..
Hovey of the Transcript aud several others.
Gen. .:Goshorn on being called up was greeted
with three hearty cheers given standing. His
remarks were plain, practical and business like.
He reviewed the incipiency, progress and re-
suits of the exposition, pointed out the advan-
tages that would flow from it, and sxpressed
his qualification at the success whica attended
it. His manner was easy and graceful without
the slightest touch OF conceit or egotism. His
personal appearance is very preposssssing, but
there is something In his bearing which gives
evidence of the rare executive ability which be
has shown so conspicuously in his admirable
direction of the great enterprise Of which he
has been the moving spirit. 1t would be im- :.
possible to overstate the importance OF the SER
vice he has rendered to the vast undertaking
which has given him enduring national fame.
The readiness. aptitude aud energy which hs
displayed at every stage Of the proceedings
have been clearly rscogniz Sd by the great null
titudes who were exhibitors and visitors ct
the Centennial.
Gov. Rice, who followed Gen. Goshofn, 10 al
ways fluent and happy, and on this occasion he
surpassed himself, His allusion to the scene Of
the lifting of the statue of Webster upon its
pedestal 10 Central Park, New York, that very
afternoon, and the analysis and portrayal Of
the character and attributes Of the great New
England statesman, Of which he mads it the
text, We're exceedingly felicitous. Il was not
mere panegyric, but keen, concise and schol-
arly delineation of the subject. He threw lust
enough of shade into the picture to make Ii
faithful one, lighting it up with tribute to the
power and genius of the man, that had the
merit Of sincerity as we'll as of eloquence. He
evidently felt at home with his theme and bis
audience, and his masterly effort was worthy of
larger gathering and wider publicity than 1t
will receive, having been delivered at . ban
quet of which it is understood, believe, that
no report was made.
The general drift of the subsequent speeches
was eulogistic of the Director General especial
ly, but the Massachusetts, Commissioners were
by no means slighted. Repeated compliments
were bestowed upon Mr.. A. L. Coolidge Of
Boston, through whose energetic efforts the
Massachusetts, building was erected and
equipped, and who devoted so much time and
energy to the aim of making the participation
of the Bay State in the national show credtA-
BILE 20 the industries and the pride of her peo
pie.
Mr.. Hammond, the Commissioner from
China, is native Of Salem, and stiIl youog
man. He migrated to the Central Flowsry
Kingdom, seventeen years ago, and his return
to bis native land as an envoy of the Celsstials
affords stiking proof of the rapidity With
which the prejudices against foreigners where
with the Chinese have been imbued for centu-
ries, are giving way under the influences of
wider intercourse with the outer world. He
briefly outlined the steps by which the intsr.
est of his government in the exposition had
been aroused, and told how from small begin
nings that interest had grown, until from being
when he first arrived at Philadelphia, 10 grave
doubs whether. they could possibly ALI the
| space they found allotted to the,n they discoy-
| red it was necessary before the opening to seek
| for more room to display the contributions that
had been pouring in upon them from acrose the
Pacific ocean.
Mr.. Cochraue, one of the Peunsylvania CON-
missioners, dwelt at length on the ambiguity OF
the terms on which the national appropriation
Of 81 100000 had been granted, aud the differ
enees Of opinion likely to arise as 10 the oblga-
/ tion TO repay the government in full out Of
the abundant surplus remaining Whllsi the
house bill providing for the appropriation was
| pending Mr.. Springer of Illinois introduced
an amendment, declaring that the money
l should be refunded before any profits Arising
from the exhibition should be divided among
the stockholders. Ia this shape the bill
| passed Its advocates did not deem
it pradent to imperil the measure by contest.
ing that point When the act reached the
Senate its friends in that body negatived every
proposition to alter or amend ik lest il it went
back to the House for concurrence, it might be
strangled or lost.
What Mr.. Springer intended 10 obvious In
fact it is conceded on all hands that he meant
BY the word profits the difference between thu
receipts aud expenditures Of the Exposition.
And that seems on the whole the legitimate
construction OF the language. The holders Of
the capital stock of every corporate body coms
! in for payment last They are entitled to only