MEMORIAL OF THE SELECT AND COMMON COUNCILS OF PHILADELPHIA, THE FRANK- The Declaration of Independence having been written and signed by its patriotic authors in Philadelphia, and its promulgation to the world first made in that city, and as the Centennial Anniversary of that memorable and decisive epoch in our country's history is nearly approaching, it behooves the people of the United States to prepare for its celebration by such demonstrations and appropriate ceremonies as may become a nation so rapidly risen from struggling infancy to a position of power and prosperity as at once to command the respect of all Governments and the admiration of the world. In order, therefore, to stimulate a pilgrimage to the Mecca of American nationality, the home of American independence, on an occasion so worthy of commemoration, it has been wisely suggested that prominent amongst the features for celebrating our One Hundredth Anniversary there should be an International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures, and Products of the Soil and Mine, as thereby we may illustrate the unparalleled advancement in science and art, and all the various appliances of human ingenuity for the refinement and comfort of man, in contrast with the meagre achievements of a century past. For the fulfillment of this, where so fitting a spot as the cradle of our country's liberty, or when the time as on the Centennial Anniversary of the year her freedom had its birth? In furtherance of an undertaking truly national in its character and so commendable in spirit, the Councils of the City of Philadelphia, the Board of Managers of the Franklin Institute, and the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have each appointed committees, who, clothed wih authority to act from the bodies they represent, respectfully solicit Congress by its action to recognize the fact that the City of Philadelphia is, and of right should be, the place to hold, and that the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six would be the time to inaugurate, an Exhibition of the industry of all nations. When such action as your wisdom may deem proper shall have been taken in order to Municipal action. Philadelphia. place the grand design under your fostering care and control, it is hoped the President of the United States will be authorized in due time to invite the participation of all Govern JOHN L. SHOEMAKER, Chairman of Joint Committees. Attest: BENJAMIN H. HAINES, Clerk of Select Council of Philadelphia and of the PHILADELPHIA, February 24, 1870. ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA. Approved October 30, 1871. AN ORDINANCE to provide for the first meeting and organization of the United States Centennial Commission, and to make an appropriation therefor. SECTION 1. The Select and Common Councils of the City of Philadelphia do ordain, That the Commissioners appointed under the Act of Congress, approved March 3, 1871, entitled "An Act to provide for 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," be, and they are hereby, requested to meet in the City of Philadelphia on the fourth day of March, A.D. 1872, for the purpose of organizing, carrying out the second section of said Act, and such other business as they may deem advisable. SEC. 2. That the Centennial Committee of the City of Philadelphia shall cause a copy of the foregoing report and this ordinance to be forwarded to the Commissioners of each State and Territory, and to the Executive of each State and Territory who has not yet made such appointment, together with a copy of the Act of Congress. SEC. 3. That said Committee is also hereby authorized and directed to make the necessary arrangements for carrying out this Ordinance, and the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars shall be appropriated out of the income of the City of Philadelphia for the year 1872 to defray the expenses thereof. All bills to be approved by said Committee, and the warrants therefor to be drawn by Municipal the Mayor. action. Philadelphia. HENRY HUHN, President of Common Council. Attest: BENJAMIN H. HAINES, Clerk of Select Council. Approved this thirtieth day of October, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one (A.D. 1871). DANIEL M. FOX, Mayor of Philadelphia. OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA. This certifies that the foregoing Ordinance, entitled "An Ordinance to provide for the first meeting and organization of the United States Centennial Commission, and to make an appropriation therefor," is a true copy of said Ordinance as passed by the Select and Common Councils of the City of Philadelphia, and this day approved by me. [SEAL.] In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the City of Phila- DANIEL M. FOX, Mayor of Philadelphia. LETTER OF PHILADELPHIA CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE TO U. S. CEN. TENNIAL COMMISSIONERS. SELECT COUNCIL CHAMBER, PHILADELPHIA, November 15, 1871. DEAR SIR,-I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the Act of Congress entitled "An Act to provide for 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 1876," together with copies of a report of the Centennial Committee of the Councils of Philadelphia, and an Ordinance of the city, approved by the Mayor October 30, 1871, entitled "An Ordinance to provide for the first meeting and organization of the United States Centennial Commission, and to make an appropriation therefor."* In this connection, I take the liberty of stating that the local Committee of the city have taken such preliminary steps as seemed advisable for placing in as forward a condition as possible the arrangements for this great event, with a view of submitting the result of their labors to the United States Commissioners when they assemble, should they desire the same; as to them the Act of Congress assigns the du "to prepare and superintend the execution of a plan for holding the Exhibition." If there are any suggestions which you may think proper to make, the Committee will be greatly obliged if you will forward them to my address at your earliest convenience. Very respectfully your obedient servant, To.. JOHN L. SHOEMAKER, Chairman of the Philadelphia Centennial Committ e. [COPY OF REPORT.] PHILADELPHIA, October 26, 1871. TO THE SELECT AND COMMON COUNCILS OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA: GENTLEMEN,-Your Committee on Centennial Celebration at this time respectfully beg leave to make the following report: Whereas, By Act of Congress approved March 3, 1871, entitled "An Act to provide for celebrating the One Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence, by holding an In *See foregoing Ordinance of October 30, 1871. Municipal action. Philadelphia. ternational 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 seventysix, it is enacted in the second and third sections thereof as follows: "That a Commission, to consist of not more than one delegate from each State and from each Territory of the United States, whose functions shall continue until the close of the Exhibition, shall be constituted, whose duty it shall be to prepare and superintend the execution of a plan for holding the Exhibition, and, after conference with the authorities of the City of Philadelphia, to fix upon a suitable site within the corporate limits of said city where the Exhibition shall be held. "That said Commissioners shall be appointed within one year from the passage of this Act by the President of the United States, on the nomination of the Governors of the States and Territories respectively." And whereas, A large majority of said Commissioners have been duly appointed, and the time designated for the completion of said Commission will have expired by the fourth day of March next; And as in the absence of any direct provision in said Act for their first meeting or organization, and expenses incident thereto, there should be some early and definite action on the part of the City; Your Committee therefore, after frequent interviews with, and communications from, various members of the United States Commission, and in accordance with their express desire, respectfully submit the following Ordinance, and ask for its adoption.* AN ORDINANCE to make an appropriation to pay the expenses of and incident to the first meeting and organization of the United States Centennial Commissioners. Whereas, By ordinance of the City of Philadelphia entitled "An Ordinance to provide for the first meeting and organization of the United States Centennial Commission," and to make an appropriation therefor, approved October 30, 1871, it is ordained as follows, to wit: SECTION 1. The Select and Common Councils of the City of Philadelphia do ordain, That the Commissioners appointed under the Act of Congress, approved March 3, 1871, entitled "An Act to provide for 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," be and they are hereby requested to meet in the City of Philadelphia on the fourth day of March, A.D. 1872, for the purpose of organizing, carrying out the second section of said Act, and such other business as they may deem advisable. SEC. 2. That the Centennial Committee of the City of Philadelphia cause a copy of the *The Ordinance is that of October 30, 1871, printed above foregoing report and this Ordinance to be forwarded to the Commissioners of each State Municipal and Territory, and to the Executive of each State and Territory who has not yet made action. such appointment, together with a copy of the Act of Congress. SEC. 3. That said Committee is also hereby authorized and directed to make the necessary arrangements for carrying out this Ordinance, and the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars shall be appropriated out of the income of the City of Philadelphia for the year 1872 to defray the expenses thereof; all bills to be approved by said Committee, and the warrants therefor to be drawn by the Mayor. And whereas, The requirements of the first and second sections of the above-recited Ordinance have been fully carried out and completed, and it is expected that said Commission will meet in the City of Philadelphia on the fourth day of March, 1872; And whereas, The Ordinance above recited only pledges the faith of the city that an appropriation of twenty-five thousand dollars shall be made to pay the necessary expenses of the contemplated first meeting of the United States Centennial Commissioners; now, therefore, SECTION 1. The Select and Common Councils of the City of Philadelphia do ordain, That the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby, appropriated to defray the expenses of and incident to the first meeting and organization of the United States Centennial Commissioners; all bills to be approved by the Joint Committee of Councils on Celebration of Centennial Anniversary, and the warrants therefor to be drawn by the Mayor. LOUIS WAGNER, President of Common Council. Attest: JOSEPH H. PAIST, Assistant Clerk of Select Council. WILLIAM S. STOKLEY, Mayor of Philadelphia. Philadelphia ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA. Approved November 4, 1872. AN ORDINANCE to make an appropriation to pay the current and incidental expenses of LOUIS WAGNER, President of Common Council. Attest: BENJAMIN H. HAINES, Clerk of Select Council. two (A.D. 1872). WILLIAM S. STOKLEY, Mayor of Philadelphia. |