National Republican., 1888-03-18
CINCINNATI CENTENNIAL.
Anniversary of the Settlement of the
Ohio Valley.

on1o taifeys
Cincinnati, in 1888, like Philadelphia in
1876, is full of the centennial that opens its
doors on the 4th of next July. The air is
full of centennial" notes, just as the City
of Brotherly Love was in 1876.
There was never, perhaps, better illus
tration Of the affection and confidence that
people sometimes have for their homes
and their institutions than that afforded by
the spectacle of large and public spirited
community of business men voluntarily
taxing housekeeping down into their
safes for collateral, as it were-to inaugu-
rate celebration for the purpose of
demonstrating to the world the progress
made in art, science, and manufactures,
This Cincinnati men have done cheerfully
and literally; and the guarantee fund foots
up the enormous sum of 81 .050.0O0.
The exposition now in hand, to continue
100 days and nights, embraces not only
Cincinnati but the sister states Of Ken
lucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Penn
sylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, Mis-
souri,, Kansas, and Iowa. From each of
the states have been appointed five hon
orary commissioners. exclusive of the
governors, who are also members. These
associates have been for months past
crystalizing sentiment and laying q
foundation for not only cooperation on
the part of the states they represent, but
for displays and exhibits from their sec.
tions of the country. With such field
to Gull from, il is no wonder that the pro-
moters, projectors, and active members of
the parent organization are sanguine of
success.
The city itself is peculiarly adapted for
just such celebration rs tins is designed
to be-a celebration commemorating the
Tooth anniversary of the settlement of the
Ohio valley, the Northwestern territory,
the state of Ohio, and the city of Cincin-
actual geographical center of the United
States, ut the confluence of the Ohi, the
Miami, and the Licking rivers, she
naturally controls the trade of
the rich and productive Ohio val
ley and all its vast wealth. She is in easy
access to the richest mineral region in all
this land, while timber in almost mex
reach, Her rivers furnish the cheapest
transportation for the raw material to her
factories, and thence back, in the shape of
manufactured goods, to the army of con-
sumers that draw their supplies from this
region.
Cincinnatis manufacturing interests are
colossal. There are to-day, within her
borders, nearly 6,0O0 industrial establish
ments engaged in 300 different lines of
work, having an invested capital Of over
sos, ,0O0,0 900, occupying real estate valued
| at ST2,OOO,00O, employing 5000 hands,
and turning out in one year, products
valued at 2O0,000,000. Including the
thriving cities Of Coyington and Newport
on the Kentucky shore, and which are
really part of CINCINNATI, the total value
of products would foot up several millions
more
No exposition ever held in the western
continent has enjoyed as excellent facili-
ties for successful run rs has this one
has. The space area for exhibiting pur-
poses aggregates the enormous amount of
650,000 square feet. The temporary build
ings, now in course of erection, and which
will be finished by the lst of May, were
| planned-with the view of obtaining the
| best possible effects, and in their architec
tural design they combine beauty and
| strength.
The permanent building now known
| throughout the country as Springer Music
Hall, and in which spectacular, musical,
| and kindred entertainments will be given
during the continuance of the exposition,
| scarcely requires extended mention, as its
beauty and elegant appointments have
been seen by millions of strangers who
have attended the industrial displays held
yearly in them since 1879. This hall is
capable of holding 5000 people. Toward
its erection Mr.. Springer donated 1885,.
OUO. This sum was supplemented
by public subscription TO the amount OF
$ilS,0O0 1t was then understood that this
hall was also to be used for exposition
purposes in connection with additional
buildings, toward the building of which
the same generous citizen came To the
rescue with $4,000 on condition that the
citizens would add 100000 more. This
amount was raised and the wings were
built and connected with the central struc-
ture. Taken as whale, they make they
make the finest permanent structures, iol
the uses TO which they are put, of any in
the world.
The total cost of these buildings was Si95
eco, Of which Mr.. Springer paid S235,0OO
or more than half. He also gave $500
toward paying for the great organ, the cost
| Of which was $32, 600. The building fronts
on Elm street 402 feet, with depth of 81
feet, and is, in all respects perfect in IL
adaptability.