The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-18
Of the Centennial.

The voting of 81 10000 to the centen-
nial by congress puts the cap-stone on the
prospects of that great enterprise. Its
FRANCES are now secure and what has been
the most embarrassing part of the problem
from the beginning is now happily settled.
The buildings are now ia forward state
of preparation, the reception of goods has
already begun, an not quite three months
now remain to the opening day. The num-
Der of exhibitors apparently will not go
over 100000 being less than at Vienna, and
not half the number at Paris but, on the
other hand, the character of our home ex-
hibition is such that the whole space will be
occupied We are machinist people, and
shall exhibit in bulk vast range of articles
which do not appear at the European ex-
hibtions. 1t is apparently in these re-
spects, also, that the foreign nations wish
to compare with us, for the demands of
foreign exhibitors if yielded to would have
covered the whole space in some of the
large buildings. 1t is anticipated that the
value of the articles on exhibition will eX-
coed $4,000, 600, and opportunity will
abound for insurance against fire. Floor,
shelter aud water-power or steam-power
are furnished to'eXhibitors tree, having al
ways been charged for at all European ex-
hibitions. A long list of railroads, includ-
ing all centering here except the southern,
carry exhibition articles at half rates. Mr..
Welsh, the chairman Of the finance board,
calculates that $500 900 persons will at
tend the exhibition an average of three
times apiece, making 10000, 900 admissions
at so cents each. Considering that, within
200 miles of Philadelphia there is a popula-
ton of 100000 of whom 20 per cent.
are likely to attend, this seems very mod
est estimate. 1t certainly seems to be small,
both in the number OF persons and in the
average of admission.
The centennial lodging-house agency is
endeavoring to get command of daily lodg-
ings for so, 900 strangers, for which coupons
will be for sale over the country In connec-
tion with railroad tickets. Each coupon
will entitle the holder to good lodgings in
clean bedding, and with properly furnished
chamber, breakfast and dinner or supper,
or will be redeemed at the office in Phila-
delphia, If the holder should become dis
satisfied or should not have occasion to use
it. Holders of these tickets will be met on
all trains, assigned to their quarters, and
directed to them. This system smacks of
American ingenuity in travellers comfort,
and with proper care can be made very use
full. The railways are prepared to move
"a 600 persons an hour from all parts of
the city to the exhibition. and the horse
railways from $4,000 to IS 900, the fare for
the round trip being 10 cents.
Among the most striking features of the
exhibition, will probably be the horticul-
tural The building devoted to this pur
pose is said to be Of great beauty, and for
eigu nations have thrown themselves into
the composition with great zeal. Around
one circle in the horticultural grounds a.
900 hyacnth bulbs have been planted,
$4,000 by the agricultural department at
Washington, and the rest by Partisan and
other competitors. Cuba occupies 5000
feet in her outdoor floral display, and
France 5000. Cuba will also display her
tropical vegetation in one of the four fore
lighthouses, our government occupying the
other three, while Brazil, which sends an
emperor, seems to be cut short Of room
badly.
A matter of no small importance to the
exhibition is the selection of the jurors,
whose reports, according to the unique plan
adopted at Philadelphia. will constitute the
sole awards of the exhibitors There are
10 be 200 jurors, receiving salaries of : 900
each, one half Of whom shall be appointed
by foreign roYcrnments, and one-half by
the cenrcnf Al commission. 1t is of the
highest importance of course that men
with the proper expert knowledge and
above temptation to bribery shall be ap-
pointed to these responsible positions