New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-09-03
THE ELECTRIC EXHIBITION.
CEREMONIES OF THE Opening DAY
BRIEF ADDRESSES THAT WERE RARELY HEARD.
CONDITION OF THE EXHIBITS.
LEY TELtGR Apu D liz rRnINR.I

CONDITION OF TIE EXHIBITS
lBY TELEGRAPH To ruE tribune
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 2.-When the members
or the Franklin Institute closed their eyes dream Of
electric motors, dynamos and other machines. II was
with dark forebodngs to what the weather would
De the opening day OF their electrical exhibition Tie
skies threatened rain aud vet day would certainly
have seriously nterfecd with % the Oc-
clSiOn. Their fears fortunately were III grounded.
cloudless sky and almost here tempered by light
breeze erected them awaking this morning. II
an ideal day. They could not have wished for better
one Thanking their stars they slipped into
their dress suits aud went. 70 the Franklin Institute
in Seyenh-st., others to the exhibition grounds Lam
cdster-ave. and Thirty sceonds to perfect the details
for the opening exercises at noon. The city itself did
not to appreciate the importance OF the event
great exhibition Ike that OF SO to have spoiled
Philadelphia, and display, though international in
character OF human achievements in only single
branch Of science to be considered not important
enough to warrant special preparation. The city
In anything but holiday attire. The streets, dirty at
an times to-day drtier than ever Tho business
houses, Notwithstanding the bright sunshine, looked
gloomy and sullen. Altogether Philadelphia presented
10 the visitors who had come in moderate numbers to
attend the exposition, uncean, duwashed unl0yey
appearance.
Invited guests and others entitled admission began
to assemble in tie old Pcnnsy lyana depot, which forms
par, Of the exposition building an hour before
temporary stage slrmointed With flowers, had been
erected an end OF the room. Another was set apart
for the baDl ,til another behind screen contained
the library and reading The audience, which IN
great part composed Of ladies' occupied the main
portion of tho hall. serious and uncompromi.ug
m character. scientific blue stockings prevailing among
the women and spcltaced square toes among tho mon
Neither the lively music Of Oacn1ach nor Tho inspiring
strains Of the star spanyed Banner produced any
effect upon When. however the band struck up Yam
heo Doodle" broad aud grateful smile went over Tho
audience and no attempt was made 20 check until tho
Mayor Of tie city. M smith. stepped forward and IN
am iriudolc voice read few words from notes which no
kept twisting ucryously between s fger. As tho pro-
ersmme assigned to him tho duty Of welcoming tho
quest, and oteuprs 81 Is to be supposed that he per
formed 1t there and then.
GOING TO TIE MAIN HALL
few other rcuarl,. by one or two of Oh" een'menh
fun evening dress tho stage the purpou ~ when nos
llic number Of persons In the nail understood, wero
followed boy invitation 10 Use and form procession
to make its way toward the main hail. In when ihs
principal exercises were to be- held. Escorted ~
platoon ~ policemen the procession arrived there form
u Itself into groups along the balustrale Of the gallery
without regard 20 rank clothes or official dignity
Iue noise of the suIcug multitude below and The ham
mcrugof tic wolkmon here and there often drowned
the pa,iu Of the band, which bad Just started upon tho
pcrformauce OF the overture TO Poet and P'l-ant'
when the andau'e movement had been safely finished
a pause.
Even of Che worbnen, who nd fallen atep on a
rarcr near the root looked mp zJ and ay down again
when ue made sure that the music had stopped only 10
allow prayer 10 be offered by thc Roy Dr. Mcintosh
Th. finished. there was ld ties, by William Latham,
president of tie Franklin Institute. lie briefly lc'Ie@ei
o history of the discovery Of electricity from is early
stage. 40 the present day. His remarks were listened 70
with attention. though his voice did not permit thenO
be heard except by those near where ho was standing
one point he touched upon that near tho spot On
which his audience then standing 1870 years ago,
BENJAMIN Franklin raised his kite to tho clouds and
drew down their fire on the string This evoked hearty
and prolonged applause Inyountarlly all eyes were
turned to where Dr. Franldh's old electrical machine
stood solid almost clumsy compared to the delicate In
strlmcnts OF the present day. 10 seemed silent Ous
eloquent testimony to the genius OF It's former owner
INTEREST IN FRANKLINs INSTRUMENT
Among the many exhibits OF historical Interest this
beyond all Others seemed TO exert fascination upon
those present II was surrounded by throngs all day
Al the close Of Mr.. Lathams address he called upon
Governor Pason to declare the exhibition open Loud
applause by the ladies' greeted the appearance OF 10,
Governor. The band resumed the overture To- loe' su
Peasant where it had left OIL, and started III al Id
Ting rate upon Tue 1 "a nn t6e music long enough
give the Governor chance to say what he had 70 ssy
Lut In vain. Taking his seat again, he awaited Tue i
chord and then once stepped 20 the roht' DIT
accustomed To address large audiences nc acqn.'gss
himself with credit AT least nc could DC hehiu 4lsny
all over dS e F5rtunate one or two blnnder which
lao made antcdating certain Inventions ana usI'"o4s
others caused the scientific seteinen III hls her
10 uuCasily on their seats auu "Hipcl ~ SS" V
with gOOd-natured smile. - 49,. a.. -.
Al things have got come to an end even the cere-
tnoues attending the opening OF an.eAhlOuOhi ani Wien
GoyculOr Patti,Ou finally uttered the Wods' no"
declare this exhibition etc., etc., OPEN there WIS ken
notwithstanding the fact that scarcely ans OF the eK-
hbifo, are ready yet with their displays anu tha uOne
of the more delicate or really new. hNyhtlonS gu .
,,uces have been placed on exhibition the ouHu- Ns'
visited all day long by thtongs OF hIetVaI't "tbe
No., wore for the most part the general plD' wv
ahscuce ~ professional men oelhg cha ,binss
Ie ,,couuted for the ground that rev OF me lns'
tally worth seeing Will he in WORKING Ordrr ui,
Lau. the Latter part the week. Then aSal tne an
in or me Association for the Advancement OF IA for
Thursday and the expected iiils VI y,eeting has
ON .rc1tl.ts who attended the Montreal mcslni 20
i',,t tl,riv profcs-ioull men back VINO w. r,uld
r,iet tleui ON their arrival, and who otltr"So WV"
I,y. aupetrrd on tie ground earlier.
pop,t,R MOTIONS or ELECTRICAL MFLlN'
mn, reolly important achievements OF recent u"' y
~, -, electrical invention far as there are any
-, IA ma, hermit their immediate Application w
,t,l ,,,,rposes I'm everyday life, the general Iuon'
iis c,,'poratiyey little interest In. TINS Is plossg
,.ut, shown by the crowds winch sull"'lut 'H' oes.
,..,,g mn chine, the man who displays "a lev ~.
,I 'ie,e,t of hand toys or the red-headed y0h WI
ts the crank OF an Old-fashoncd eleculc Hhduo' -
r,,r.s .parks 10 thr immense delight OF the u''PIa
ii.,frl audience. These people Will pass uo In
800 tuuortlut Improvement iu tciegiaphl' l 1t
e'ut al stand ON which mau dspa, electric ~ "a
tuy device, bY the way, which Is % serve a. rs,r
pnrsals and 10 be used like 81 carpet Hulk ~ ~ 1fs
alarms and similar prpNlsloS ot tho Pl". a. would
ami proucrfy sometime. fail when most wanted TIT
m ma safe 10 assume that tins bright appliance V I,ne,
t ina tine household IL destined To dl-1p'l Wv ~ ia
of A.. originator and leave the family oil hlblH 40
iu the tender care OF the policemen