Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-03-29
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
The Question OF Having the United
States Represented.
Correspondence of The lnter-ocean.

Correspondence OF the Inter-Ocean.
The subject az beginning IN osg ini
za.lon TO secure proper representation OF
tie United States at the coming worlds
fair in Paris was brought TO the atten-
ton of Secretary Evarts to-day. by Ma
than Appleton, who had been referred by
the President TO the Secretary. 1t was
suggested to Mr. Evarts that although
the Government cannot commit itself
officially until Congress meets again,
some steps may yet be taken at once with
the sanction of the Executive Depart
ment which shall assure the French Gov
ernment of the intention of the United
States to parcipitate in the exhibition.
The result of the interview was of course
indecisive, but quite satisfactory to the
friends of the project, and 1t is now pro-
posed 10 draw up some plan for piovl-
sional commission, which may begin work
Immediately, relying upon Congress to
confer official authority, and provide nee
essary means.
Under the law which provides for The
establishment of the Exposition no APP
plication can be received for space until
some one is delegated to represent this
Government at the Exposition. Hon
Elihu b. Washburne, our Minister
Paris, says that the Paris Exposition wi
surpass anything the world has ever see
in magnitude and splendor, particular
because the people of France wish
show that they are more prosperous as
Republic than under an Imperial reign
MIR. Washburne considers the omission OF
Congress to provide for representation
was particularly unfortunate, on account
of the unusually friendly relations be-
tween France and the United States. and
the magnificent display Of that Govern
ment at our Centennial. He fears it will
be too late TO accomplish anything If the
appointment of the Commissioners Is left
until the meeting of Congress in Decem-
Der.
Gentlemen here arc also of the opinio n
that the Paris Exposition will have qui tie
as important an effect on commerce as
| our own Centennial celebration, while the
cost will be comparatively small. The
Paris Exposition of 1867 cost this Gov ern-
ment only $40, 900; the Vienna Exposition
only $2l0, 600, and it is estimated that,
with government vessels to transport the
goods, the cost of representation at Paris
would not be more than 5000, 900. The
Government display at Philadelphia could
be put in order in a very short time, and
many of the private displays of American
manufactures could be sent to Paris at q
very slight expense to the exhibitor.
These circumstances render it less nee
essary to have a long time for prepare
ton, although, if the matter is left till
Congress meets in December, there will
be but -four months remaining before the
opening of the Exhibition. Our COM
mission to the Exposition in 1857 had two
years for preparation, and to that OF 1878
year and half.
All that is needed is fer Congress at its
extra session, il one is held. OF immediate
~ upon meeting in December, to pass q
resolution insti ucting the President to
appoint Commissioners, appropriatiDR
$500. 900 for the payment Of their expen.
ses. Every international exposition vet
held has had salutary effect ON COM
merse, to say nothing of other inestima-
BILE benefits, and failure to be represen-
ted at Paris next year would be an
unfortunate reflection upon American
enterprise and industry, and poor
acknowledgment of the magnificent
conduct of other nations toward our Gen.
tennial Exposition.