The Washington critic., 1886-03-10
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

a. L. g., the Washington correspon-
dent of the Syracuse, N. Y, .StaRdard,
in recent letter reviews at some length
the origin and objects of the contem.
plated Permanent Exposition in this
city. Following are pertinent excerpts
from his letter: Some weeks ago IL was
suggested by one Of the evening journals
that the several public buildings which
1t is necessary for the Government to
erect should be grouped on the rcscrva-
tions and form the nucleus of q national
exposition. These buildings were the
Congressional Library, the Army Medi.
cal Museum, q repository for the Patent
Office models, and various buildings of
q similar nature. About the same time
II was announced in the daily press
that the veteran Snowman, p, I, Bar
mum had made an offer for the use OF
the reclaimed Potomac flats for the
purpose of establishing man.
moth geological garden. This sug-
gested to the originators of the
movement the feasibility of utilizing
the flats in their scheme of an exposi-
ton. A speculator from the West APP
peared about this time with the idea
that it would be grand thing to or.
ganizc company to conduct an expo
sition, with representatives from all
the countries of America, here in 1892,
in commemoration of the discovery of
America by Columbus. Another fer
tile brain suggested the celebration of
the birth Of the Republic in 1880. And
from all Of these suggestions comes Il
project which promises to be one of
the grandest in its way that was ever
conceived. 1t is nothing less than the
establishment of National Exposition
of the arts and industries of all the
States and Territories of the United
States as we'll as of the various Repub.
lies of the Western Hemisphere. II is
TO be begun in 1899 In commemoration
of the adoption of the Constitution of
the United States and to be finished
and dedicated in 1892 to celc-
brate the discovery of America.
On both occasions all the countries
of the New World are expected to join
with this country in the celebrations.
Not much Of Congressional appro
priation Is desired. 1t is expected
that when Congress shall have sane
toned the undertaking and requested
the States to participate, that the
movement will be fairly started and
will continue of itself. Land will cost
nothing, as there is plenty here. Little
extra expense will be incurred by the
Government, for tho buildings to be
erected will have to be built anyway,
If valuable records and documents are
to be preserved. Large as the National
Museum is, it is even now crowded,
Thousands of valuable models have
been lost by fire in the present crowded
Patent Office. They should be moved
to fire.proof building by themselves
and the space they now occupy be used
for offices. The Government must
erect buildings. "Why not group
them in the form Of National expo.
sition as we suggest?" ask the origi-
nators of the exposition undertaking.
Under the caption Of "a Lesson to
Philadelphia" the Times of that city
comments as follows on the new Engi-
neer Commissioner: Philadelphia S
loss is Washington's gain, and indeed
the gain of the whole country, for the
improvement of the Federal Capital
is matter of universal interest and
pride. In appointing Colonel Ludlow
the President has shown good judg-
ment in every way. The position to
which he has been assigned, while II
does not offer the large opportunities
for professional distinction that the
Chief Engineer of the Philadelphia
Water Department is likely to have
within the next few years, Is one of
high honor and Of varied RESPONSE
bility. He has charge of all the pub.
lie improvements in the District, which
are upon scale of liberality and of
scientific intelligence that has not been
approached elsewhere in this country,
and both from professional and So
cial point of view the position is re,
garded as one Of the highest prizes in
the engineer service His appoint
ment may be commended to the
thoughtful consideration OF the Coun
ellis, whose action in this case so forci
bly, presents one of the causes of Phila
delphia's provincial stagnation.
~
Ex-Governor Long of Massachusetts
is much commended for his sensible
choice of second wife. With hi
wealth and high social position, says {
writer in the New York Tribune, HI
has chosen quiet and finely educated
but not richly endowed, New England
girl, who will make his little family I
good mother. Ii was the Governor
desire TO get leave of absence from
the House the other day that led hin
almost into making public record o
his engagement. Under the rules mem
bers who desire TO absent themselve
| from the House are required to apply
for leave in writing, stating the caus
of their request The Governor, VIII
was going home to make arrangement
for his wedding, wrote hastily on n Sill
of paper which he sent to the Speake
the usual request. The Speaker sent
back with the message, "You need no
| give yourself away so badly as this.
The Governor glanced at what he hat
written without much thought am
found that II read II desire leave o
absence for week on account of a
important engagement" After aquie
laugh in which he saw the Speakc
join him the Governor prepared les
tell'tale application,