Official Forms, 1872. APPENDIX B. CIRCULARS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, REGULATIONS, ETC., OF NOTE. The official documents here printed include only those having permanent value as illustrating the organization of the Exhibition. Circulars referring to the individual Bureaus of Administration are printed as appendices to the reports of the several Chiefs of Bureaus. UNITED STATES CENTENNIAL COMMISSION, INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1876, PHILADELPHIA. [No. 1.] Hon.. ROOMS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTER Commissioner of the State of....... DEAR SIR,-The Executive Committee of the Centennial Commission have just closed a session of a week's duration, and the abilities of its members were taxed to their utmost capacity to solve the grave and important problems met at the very threshold of the great enterprise committed to the care of the Commission. The Chairman of the Committee on Plans and Architecture submitted, on the first day of the session, a report of the progress made in that direction since the adjournment of the Commission, but the Executive Committee and other members of the Commission, within communicating distance, have decided unanimously that we are without power to take a single step involving the expenditure of money without further Congressional legislation. The organic Act of March 3, 1871, gives the Centennial Commission exclusive control over the Exhibition and Celebration, which it declares shall be held in the City of Philadelphia, in the year 1876, to commemorate the birth of the Nation. To do this work aright will involve great labor and vast expenditures of money, but the Act of Congress fails to establish or authorize any agency by which the work can be done or the means provided therefor. On the contrary, it is enacted that "the United States shall not be at any expense attending such Exhibition." However, had money been furnished by Congress, it is extremely doubtful whether we could have used it without further legislation. As the Centennial Commission has no corporate existence, it could not, without great difficulty, enforce its contracts, and is powerless to protect its members from individual liability for any debts made by any one acting under its sanction. Therefore, after thoughtful study of the situation and full and careful consultation, not only with each other but with members of the Commission within reach, and many citizens distinguished for intelligence, business capacity, and for the deep interest they manifest in the success of this great national undertaking, the Committee have unanimously agreed upon a bill to be submitted to Con- Official gress for its immediate action, a copy of which is herewith inclosed for your examination. Forms, 1872. You will observe that the central idea of this bill is to create a corporation which will raise the needed money and, at the same time, thoroughly nationalize the enterprise. Its provisions are such that the United States Commissioners can control the corporation by holding the power to approve all rules and regulations it may adopt which will affect the rights, privileges, or interests of exhibitors or the public before they shall be operative, to approve or disapprove of plans of buildings and grounds, and to nominate a fixed number of Stockholders from whom the Board of Directors shall be chosen. The allotment of the stock to the several States and Territories in the ratio of their population contributes towards nationalizing the enterprise, and its success is in a great measure more fully assured by the cordial and vigorous co-operation promised to our plans by those locally interested. It is deemed unnecessary to more fully explain the reasons which have prompted our action, for we feel convinced they will be as apparent and as conclusive to you as they have been to us. Please name one or more persons whom you desire to have among the corporators in the Act. Persons of unquestioned integrity and distinguished rather for success in the management of large business transactions than for political prominence, are deemed most fitting for the place. No time is to be lost if the bill is to be enacted into law during the present session of Congress, which is deemed very important to the success of the enterprise. Trusting our action will meet your hearty approval, and that you will use your best endeavors with your Congressional Delegation to secure the passage of the bill, I remain, truly yours, D. J. MORRELL, Chairman. [No. 4.] CIRCULAR LETTER TO CORPORATORS. PHILADELPHIA, August, 1872. SIR,-The following is a copy of a portion of the preamble of an Act of Congress relative to the Centennial International Exhibition, to be held in the City of Philadelphia in the year 1876, approved June 1, 1872: Whereas, Congress did provide by an Act entitled "An Act to provide for the celebrating the One Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence, by holding an International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures, and Products of the Soil and Mine in the City of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-six," approved March third, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, for the appointment of Commissioners to promote and control the Exhibition of the national resources and their development, and the nation's progress in arts which benefit mankind, and to suggest and direct appropriate ceremonies by which the people of the United States may commemorate that memorable and decisive event, the Declaration of American Independence by the Congress of the United Colonies, assembled in the City of Philadelphia, on the fourth day of July, Anno Domini seventeen hundred and seventy-six; and, whereas, such provisions should be made for procuring the funds requisite for the purposes aforesaid as will enable all the people of the United States, who have shared the common blessings resulting from national independence, to aid in the preparation and conduct of said International Exhibition and memorial celebration under the direction of the Commissioners of the United States; therefore, Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America Official Forms, 1872. in Congress assembled, That there is hereby created a body corporate, to be known by the name of the Centennial Board of Finance, and by that name to have an incorporate existence until the object for which it is formed shall have been accomplished; and it shall be competent to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended, in all courts of law and equity in the United States, and may make and have a corporate seal, and may purchase, take, have, and hold, and may grant, sell, and at pleasure dispose of all such real and personal estate as may be required in carrying into effect the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled “An Act to provide for celebrating the One Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence, by holding an International Exhibition of Arts and Manufactures and Products of the Soil and Mine in the City of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-six," approved March 3, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, and all Acts supplementary thereto; and said Centennial Board of Finance shall consist of the following-named persons, their associates and successors, from the States and Territories as herein set forth. You are named in this Act as one of the corporators for your State. Please inform the Commission of your post-office address, in order that a copy of the Act may be forwarded to you, with other information concerning the progress of preparations for celebrating the Centennial Anniversary. The Commission will be happy to hear from you, and to receive such suggestions relating to the Celebration as you may be disposed to offer. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, WILLIAM PHIPPS BLAKE, Executive Commissioner. [No. 5.] RULES PROVIDING FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CENTENNIAL [This form was superseded by Nos. 25 and 31. See the latter.] [No. 6.] CIRCULAR LETTER TO CENTENNIAL COMMISSIONERS. OFFICE OF THE United STATES CENTENNIAL COMMISSION, United States Centennial Commissioner. SIR, I am directed by the Executive Committee of the Commission to inform you that the twenty-first day of November next (Thursday) has been designated as the time for opening the Books of Subscription to the Stock of the Centennial Board of Finance. The rules governing the subscription, a copy of which is herewith inclosed,* have been adopted. By referring to Rule 4 you will see that it is made the duty, in each State and Territory, of the Commissioner and Alternate Commissioner, or either of them in the absence of the other, to call a meeting for the purpose of designating one or more national or other banks, or one or more bankers, as agents for securing subscriptions. This important duty, imposed upon you by the Commission, will no doubt receive your prompt attention. The Executive Committee suggest that the meeting should be held not later * The inclosure was No. 5, which was superseded by Nos. 25 and 31. See the latter. Forms, 1872. than November 10, next. The time is left to your discretion, but you will perceive it is Official necessary that the Commission should be informed of the name and address of the agents selected in season to permit of the Subscription Books being forwarded to them before the time arrives for opening the books. No definite and decisive instructions in regard to the compensation of agents can be given at this time. One or two bankers who have been consulted have expressed their willingness to act without the usual commission. Agents are not expected, in this case, to bear the expense of advertising or printing. In addition to the patriotic motives, they will have the advantages resulting from their designation as the accredited agents of the Commission, and of the deposit of the money received from subscribers until it is drawn by the Centennial Board of Finance. According to the provision contained in Rule 5, blank notices to the Corporators have been printed. A sufficient number, placed in unsealed envelopes and addressed, will be forwarded to each Commissioner, or in his absence, to the Alternate Commissioner. Please acknowledge the receipt of this communication. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, SIR, The United States Centennial Commission has named the 21st day of November, 1872, as the time for opening the books of subscription to the Stock of the Centennial Board of Finance, and has instructed me to call a meeting of the Corporators for this State before that time, for the purpose of consulting together and of designating the proper place or places at which the subscriptions shall be received. This is in accordance with the Rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to Section 3 of the Act of Incorporation, a copy of which has already been forwarded to you from the office of the Commission. This meeting will be held at on the day of..... .....next, and you are respect fully requested to be present. The importance of the duty thus imposed upon the Corporators and the Commissioners of this State will, I hope, secure your attendance. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, United States Centennial Commissioner for the State of.. The following is a copy of Rule 4: RULE 4. The agents of the Commission for securing subscriptions to the stock in each State or Territory shall be appointed in the following manner: The Centennial Commissioner and the Alternate Commissioner from each State or Territory, or either of them, in the absence of the other, together with such Corporators for Official Forms, 1872. such State and Territory as may attend a meeting to be called by the Commissioner or Alternate for the purpose, shall designate one or more national or other banks, or one or more bankers in good standing, to receive subscriptions and the amounts paid thereon, and to issue said Subscription Certificates. The money so received shall be held by such banks or bankers subject to the order of The Centennial Board of Finance, when organized, and until such organization, to the order of the Commissioner or Alternate Commissioner and at least two of the said Corporators for the State or Territory in which the fund is deposited. [No. 8.] SUBSCRIPTION TO STOCK OF THE CENTENNIAL BOARD OF FINANCE. Incorporated by an Act of Congress, approved June 1, 1872, and authorized to issue stock to an amount not exceeding ten millions of dollars, in shares of ten dollars each. shares of the capital stock of the Centennial Board of Finance, subject to the rules of subscription and payment adopted by the United States Centennial Commission, which are hereby agreed to and made a part of this contract. Respectfully yours, EXTRACTS FROM THE RULES ABOVE REFERRED TO. RULE 8. Applications for stock may be made in person to the agent, or by mail. Upon the receipt of any such application by mail, accompanied by the required payment, the authorized agent shall transmit to the applicant a subscription certificate, as provided by Rule 1, and shall fill up the marginal blank accordingly, and the application shall be correspondingly numbered and placed on file. For the purpose of facilitating subscriptions for the stock, blank forms of application [as above] will be printed for distribution. RULE 1. * ** Payments on this stock are to be made as follows: Twenty per cent. on subscription; twenty per cent. on or before the first Monday of May, 1873; twenty per cent. on or before the first Monday of July, 1873; twenty per cent. on or before the first Monday of September, 1873; twenty per cent. on or before the first Monday of November, 1873. Unless each installment be paid when due, it is hereby agreed that the said stock and all payments thereon shall, at the option of said Corporation, be forfeited without notice or proceedings, either at law or in equity, for that purpose. |