The Centennial Exhibition: the Public Meeting in the Institute

THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION. The Public Meeting in the Institute. A GENERAL COMMITTEE NAMED. Addresses by the Mayor, Judges Palmer and King, Messrs. Elder, Harris, Boyd, Magee, Peters, and others. The public meeting held last evening in the Mechanics’ Institute, at the call of the Mayor, to consider matters pertaining to the holding of the Centennial Exhibition next year, was largely attended by representative men. Shortly after 8 o’clock His Worship took the chair. The following gentlemen occupied seats on the platform: Judge Palmer, Judge King, James Harris, D S Kerr, William Peters, T W Daniel, T B Hanington, Edward Willis, Hon John Boyd, Coun Skinner, John Hutchings, John D Howe, Coun Cochrane, Coun O’Mahoney, Coun McLean, R J Ritchie, M P P, Ald Jordan, C F Clinch, T S Simms, J L Inches, Ald Allen, John Magee, Hon E McLeod, A C Smith, Wm Elder, M P P, J A Esty, George Stewart, S S Hall, John McMillan, I Allen Jack, Thos McAvity, Hon Jas Dever, Coun Peters, Samuel Crothers, Ald Grant, Ald Allen, Dr Steeves, G O Bent, A B Sheraton, Ald Smith, W Quinton, M P P, Coun Buist, C F Kinnear, Jonas Howe, P L Connor. THE MAYOR’S ADDRESS. In calling the meeting to order, his worship said that all were aware of the object for which the meeting had been called. They met under exceptionally favorable circumstances – the weather was beautiful and air clear and bracing, resembling the fine days of the past summer, which had attracted so many visitors from the cities of the neighboring republic, who have gone home delighted with the country and the climate. He hoped they would come back again next summer, and he also hoped that when they did come they would witness an exhibition the best that has ever been held in this Province. (Applause.) He felt it was sure to be a success. There was also another reason for congratulation. We have just learned of the splendid victory won by our brave soldiers in Egypt which shows that there is no such word as fail when the Anglo-Saxon race sets about to accomplish anything. (Applause.) He felt satisfied from those he saw about him that the Exhibition would be made a grand and lasting success. The Provincial Government have decided to hold an exhibition next year and he believed they had decided to hold it in St. John. The Dominion Government have also made an appropriation for this exhibition and if it is made a Centennial exhibition that appropriation will be doubled. But these appropriations will not make the exhibition a success without the co-operation of the citizens of St. John and of the neighboring town of Portland. He was sure their co-operation could be had. At Toronto, Montreal and in many other cities of Canada, exhibitions are being held, and it would not do to allow these cities to get ahead of us. It is conceded that an exhibition would prove a grand advertisement for our manufacturers, farmers and mechanics, and he wished all to interest themselves in it and to feel that it was their exhibition. He hoped that whatever buildings were necessary would be completed at least one month before the opening of the exhibition and that the steam power and whatever other appliances were needed would be in position and all in readiness to start on the opening day. His experience in former exhibitions had been that the last nail was being driven when the people began to crowd in, and everything was in a state of unreadiness. This has caused great dissatisfaction, and he hoped our people would profit by past experience and have everything ready so that there would be no hitches but that all would go smoothly and run like clockwork. He would not occupy their time longer, as several other speakers were to follow, but he would call their attention to one other matter. One of the oldest men in the city has written a letter to one of the papers, in which he has pointed out the advantages of making the city look well. He hoped the citizens would try and beautify their homes and make the city as attractive as possible, so that strangers coming to visit us would leave with a good opinion of the city and its inhabitants. (Applause.) THE FIRST RESOLUTION. Judge Palmer in moving the first resolution said they all had heard the object of this meeting from the chairman. It was needless to relate the advantages which this exhibition will bring to the city. The exhibition held here two years ago had been a great success, and had added enormously to the prestige of St. John. Prior to that exhibition there had been a meeting similar to this one. He held that it was desirable for every man, woman and child in St. John to do their utmost to aid this exhibition and make it a success. A meeting like this would strengthen the hands of the Government and our representatives at Ottawa, in obtaining a large grant for the exhibition. The resolution was follows: -- Whereas, The Provincial Government have decided to hold an exhibition of the manufacturing, mechanical and agricultural industries of this Province, in this city, in the autumn of 1883, and the Dominion of Canada propose to aid it as a Dominion and Centennial Exhibition by a liberal grant of money; therefore, Resolved, That this meeting heartily approves of the action of the Provincial and Dominion Governments in the matter, and pledges itself to give all possible aid in making the Exhibition successful. Mr. William Elder, M. P. P., in seconding the resolution said that nothing could afford him greater pleasure than to take part in the proceedings of the meeting. If an ordinary Exhibition demanded the best efforts of our people; if it was found to stimulate industrial efforts; to promote friendly rivalry; to reveal national industrial defects, as in the case of the great London Exhibition of 1851, how much more might we expect from one of the character now proposed. It had two features in each of which it was unique as compared with former ones held in this Province. It was to be a Centennial Exhibition and at the same time a Dominion one. What was its Centennial significance? It was an intimation to the people of Canada from Cape Breton to Vancouver Island to come and see what the Loyalists, their descendants and others had effected in New Brunswick in the course of a century. We invited them to come and see not only what we had done in felling the forests, building ships, cultivating the fields, etc., but what we had done in manufactures and the liberal arts; what we had done to elevate and refine the people and add to their legitimate enjoyments. Our visitors would come not only to inspect the exhibits, but to look at our city, our port, our industries, and to see what we were doing to hold our position. When they came, we should not be able to show them all we might desire. Unless by the aid of art, we would not be able to give them an idea of our varied and beautiful scenery, with its mountains, valleys, rivers etc. On the broad prairies, whose bracing air Judge Palmer speaks of, such hills as we can boast would be highly prized; even the little hills of Brandon are considered a great attraction to that young prairie city. We cannot illustrate our political history, and delineate the steps by which we attained to our present political enfranchisement. We can, however, point to results, and connect with them not only our industrial but our educational progress. Those who were present at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia will remember the magnitude and interest of the educational exhibits and how well Canada as a whole appeared, though New Brunswick was not represented. That omission must be remedied in 1883. By this entire Centennial Exhibition we make a challenge to other parts of the Dominion to meet us in industrial competition. In doing so, it becomes us to fully realize what has been accomplished elsewhere. It is easy to say that we will know “no such word as fail,” but in order to do so, we must take note of what is being done in other exhibitions, and fully realize the vast strides in various forms of manufacture our competitors elsewhere are making. He felt proud to see such an exhibit as that now made at Toronto, though it was not complete when the Exhibition was opened; but he could not, in looking at it, help asking himself, how will we be represented when the proper time comes? Our friends in Ontario feel stimulated by the development of the new Province of Manitoba, and the progress of the great Northwest. Ontario is already sending machinery to that country. He had noticed with interest that the machinery of an elevator at Portage La Prairie and a mill attached had been furnished by a manufacturer in Galt, who had other customers in that far-off region. In their industrial expositions, as well as in reaching those distant customers, the people of Ontario what they can do. The question for us to deal with, and solve in the Exhibition of 1883, is to show that we can keep up with our industrial rivals. Their geographical position might, in the first instance, give them an advantage in reaching the West, but if it did, this would only leave so much more of the eastern field open to us. It was, however, a question in his mind whether with our cheap coal, moderate climate, and fair supply of labor at moderate cost, we could not overcome this geographical disadvantage. It was possible that the savings to be made under these heads would pay the freight for a considerable distance on the goods that we sent to the Northwest; possibly it might carry our goods so far west as to enable us to start about equal with our western rivals. On the 15th of this month, through the enterprise of the railway contractors on the Lake Superior section of the Canada Pacific Railway, Messrs. Manning, Macdonald & Co., goods could be sent into Manitoba from the east by water and rail, entirely across Canadian territory. This would save freight and assist eastern manufacturers. If in addition to our natural advantages we could reach superiority in the character of the article made, our success would be certain. He had seen an example of this in the Ontario Exhibition. Though not an expert, when he compared the exhibits of William Parks & Son with kindred exhibits, he could see in the colors of the goods and in their texture evidences of the superiority conceded to them, as testified by them carrying off so many gold medals. If we should be able to do the same, we would not only be indirectly, but directly interested in the opening of Manitoba and the great Northwest – a country who people are already consuming large quantities of goods. We have every motive to induce us to secure a share of this trade, for in politics and in trade the law of the survival of the fittest is sure to be realized. Weak nations go to the wall, or require to lean on others for protection. The natural advantages of St. Louis are greater than Chicago, but the greater enterprise of the people of the latter city gives them the pre-eminence they enjoy. It is this spirit that the people of St. John must act. If it is to hold its proper place in the Dominion, we cannot afford to rest upon our oars; we cannot afford to fold our arms in idleness, and say “it might have been.” We must feel that we have a gigantic task before us, and gird ourselves for its accomplishment. It will require our mechanics to put forth all their skill in order to surpass their rivals. It will be necessary for our manufacturers to make some sacrifice in preparing goods for exhibit, more especially when they are pressed with orders; but we feel that the sacrifice will be cheerfully made. The Exhibition will be our challenge to all the other manufacturers of Canada at least, and we must be prepared to back it up by creditable exhibits at the proper time. There have been Dominion Exhibitions that were not a success, and he had been asked what ours was likely to be. Would it be a bona fide Exhibition or only a sham? He had answered that he believed it was the purpose of our people to do everything in their power to make it a success. In seeking to do so, they would be stimulated by the fact that the exhibition would be not only a Centennial celebration, but a Dominion exhibit. What did that mean? There was scarcely a person present in that hall would could fully realize what such an exhibition meant, for one who had seen most of our great country had only obtained glimpses of it and was compelled to call upon his imagination to carry out what observation had begun. A Dominion Exhibition meant that this whole country, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia inclusive, could be represented thereat. If the Provinces were represented in great courts, as the Nations in 1851 in London, or at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, how would it fare with New Brunswick? How as to the number and character of our exhibits? In the other provinces, we should have no mean competitors, and we should realize that fact. In whatever form the competition was made, it would exist all the same. Should we succeed in the contest? When he looked at its magnitude and what it involved he felt anxious in regard to results: but, on the other hand, when he thought of our past experience; on the determination of our citizens and our people generally to succeed; when he thought of the pride which they took in this Centennial and Dominion Exhibition, he felt that they would not only secure for themselves a high industrial position, but would do something towards honoring the memory of the founders of this fair province. (Cheers.) The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. THE SECOND RESOLUTION. Mr. James Harris then rose to move the second resolution. He only regretted that he was not a public speaker. He was much pleased to see so many people present at the meeting. He had spent 59 years of his life in St. John, and most of those present knew what he had been engaged in. Our last exhibition here was a success, and this coming one, if properly managed, should be a greater success than any ever held here. It ought to enlist all our energies. We had gentlemen around us in every direction who were proud of St. John. He thought we could rival the upper provinces, as we had done in the Mechanical Exhibition of 1875. He did not think Mr. Elder had informed himself properly as to the manufacturing industries of St. John, or he would not have given the Upper Provinces the superiority. St. John was fast becoming a workshop. He believed our manufactures here would compare favorably with the manufactures of the Upper Provinces. He believed in competition to make articles cheap. A few years ago he could only manufacture one car a day; now he could manufacture four, and he could compete with the best of them in the Upper Provinces. He concluded by moving the following resolution: -- Resolved, That a general committee, representing the interests of the manufacturers, farmers, mechanics and merchants, be now appointed from the chair to co-operate with the Local Government in making the necessary preparations for holding the Exhibition, and that such committee be authorized to add to its numbers and appoint from its members such sub-committees as may be found necessary. Mr. John Magee, in seconding the resolution, felt that as a veteran in the cause Mr. Harris was entitled to a better hearing than he had received. He thought it was superfluous to speak as to the advantages of the Exhibition; he only wished to say that he hoped all who had accepted positions on the committee would put their hearts in the work, for there was much work to be done. Let our motto be “deeds, not words.” Mr. Geo. Stewart maintained that St. John was not second to any city, nor were its people second to those of any city as judges, lawyers or auctioneers. Let us put all our might into this work and make this exhibition a great success. If no one else would do this, Geo. Stewart would do it himself. He was not afraid of Montreal or Toronto. The resolution was then put and carried. Mayor Jones said the passage of this resolution placed a very heavy responsibility on him, for to do it right by it he ought to publish the names of all the inhabitants of the city. He had a list of 500 or 600 names, but he had no doubt he had omitted some and he would be willing to add any that he might have omitted. Mr. Elder: Your Worship, before the next resolution is dealt with, I wish to make an explanation. If Mr. Harris understood me as casting any reflection on the skill of our Maritime manufacturers, he misunderstood me. The only individual comparison actually made was that between the goods of the New Brunswick Cotton Mills and those of similar mills, and you all know what I said on that point. (Applause.) My point was that it was a folly, in view of such Exhibitions as are seen in Ontario, to turn ourselves into a Maritime Mutual Admiration Society, instead of taking the full measure of our industrial rivals. Was not that a proper position? (Cheers.) As to slighting the skill of our manufacturers, there are a few of them whose works I have not noticed to their praise; and, among others, I have often had that pleasure in regard to the works produced by James Harris & Co. (Applause.) The following are the names of the committee appointed by the Mayor under the resolution: -- GENERAL COMMITTEE OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF ST. JOHN. The Mayor, Hon Jas Dever, Sheriff Harding, Hon Judge Palmer, “ Isaac Burpee, MP, “ Chas W Weldon, MP, “ Thos R Jones, “ John Boyd, “ Judge King, “ Judge Watters, “ Judge Skinner, “ The Att’y General, “ R Marshall, “ E Willis, “ T W Anglin, Gen Warner, US Consul, Chas A Everett, John Livingstone, Geo S Deforest, Geo F Smith, John McMillan, Daniel W Clark, Henry Maher, James Harris, B Lester Peters, P M, John H Parks, David Tapley, PM, Thos McAvity, D McLellan, M P P, Jas Fleming, R J Ritchie, M P P, J Macgregor Grant, Wm Elder, M P P, John Magee, John V Ellis, M P P, Jos B Hamm, W A Quinton, M P P, S S Hall, T W Daniel, C H Fairweather, W H Tuck, Q C, H A Glasgow, Geo G Gilbert, Q C, Jarvis Wilson, D S Kerr, Q C, Jas Lee, Jas Alfred Clark, Harris Allan, Jas Rourke, Dr Wm Bayard, Andre Cushing, Dr Jas Christie Edwin Fisher, John A Chesley, Thos Davidson, Count DeBury, G Clowes Carman, J DeWolf Spurr, A T Dunn, Edward Lantalum, C F Clinch, Thos W Peters, W Peters, Jas A Estey, Silas Alward, Thomas B Hanington, T B Barker, R R Allan, Henry Vaughan, Seth R Foster, Fred E Barker, Q C, James W Hagan, John W Nicholson, James G Jordan, George McLeod, Bela R Lawrence, Hugh Kerr, A W Masters, Levi H Young, Thos Rankine, Wm Fleming, A O Skinner, John A Jones, J R Rigby, M O Mahoney, Arthur Everitt, Frank P Noble, John Yeats, Matthew Lindsay, Joseph Prichard, Jos W Lawrence, A C A Salter, A C Jardine, S K Foster, I Allen Jack, Henry Duffell, John Horn, James Barbour, Jer Harrison, Lewis N Valpey, Joseph Bullock, J H Warner, Thomas G Allan, Oliver Emery, John Berryman, M D, Jer Travis, James Gerow, Joseph Horncastle, Chad S Macgregor, C A Robinson, P Nase, Frank Hazen, Jas Reynold, Carson Flood, Shadrack Holly, Alex Christie, S Z Earle, M D John Cochrane, J R Woodburn, R W W Frink, A G Bowes, Henry Horton, Sam Strang, Jos Hazelhurst, Jas Pender, Robt Milligan, Jonas Howe, Gilbert Murdoch, Jas C Robertson, John A Fish, Jas Manchester, Thos Gilbert, Chas McLauchlan, Jr, J V Thurgar, John J Munroe, Jos R Stone, Herbert J Olive, Robt Wallace, Robt B Humphrey, Court Brothers, Gilbert Bent, Geo W Gerow, Geo A Barker, James P. Hanington, G J Chubb, Henry R Ranney, John Dunlop, Jas McConnell, E H Foster, And Myles, Jr, Lawrence Donovan, John M Hutchings. John Gilchrist, M D, Geo Robertson, Wm Hawker, Geo A Knodell. Dr Ruddock, W H Purdy, T Nisbet Robertson, Jas Mott, W L Penrey, John McMillan Jos A Magilton, Dr Inches, Robt Fair, G Fred Ring, Elijah Ross, T S Peters, Dingee Scribner, Jas H McAvity, E L Jewett, J Murray Kay, Jer McCarthy, James Holly, John Mitchell, Jr, Richard Farmer, Robt Reed, John Sweet, John B Wilmot, Frank Stetson, Wm C Godsoe, Henry Maxwell, Jas H Carnall, Wm Alwood, S T Blizzard, O D Wetmore, Andrew Gilmour, James Fowler, J Galbraith (Piarinco), Henry McCullough, Wm Logan, Thos E Millidge, David H Hall, Phillips Bros, Jas A Price, Daniel W Patton, S T Golding, Jas Rotertas, F T C Burpee, Phillip Palmer, Alex L Law, O V Troop, Arthur McLean, Arch Tapley, Howard McLeod, H V White, Joseph Ruddock, J Albert Vanning, John Allan, H D Troop, Dr Botsford, Richard Thompson, Robt R Boones, M A Finn, John Wilson, Nathan Green, Fred D Watters, Chas E Patton, C F Tilton, Lewis W Lingley, John Fraser, Jas Manson, R D McArthur, D Magee, Jas H Pullen, C J Horgan, John Kain, Wm F Hatheway, Jas T Hurley, Jas O Stackhouse, A P Tippett, John F Taylor, Alex Shives, Uriah Drake, Geo R Bent, Enoch B Colwell, M D Austin, G H Waring, Chas E Scammell, Jas E Barnes, Chas A Peters, W F Best, S F Matthews, Michael Flood, J E Lingley, David Willett, P McGoldrick, W H Hayward, D R Munroe, W M Sears, Frank Tufts, D L Pitt, Edward Peters, L R Harrison, George Philps, Arthur W Howe, W H Livingstone, John Ferguson, C M Bostwick, Thos Furlong, A Chipman Smith, J S Boies DeVeber, J Calkin, Morris Welsh, John R McFarlane, Geo F Whitenect, Andrew Malcolm, S Crothers, A B Sheraton, C E Burnham, F W Wisdom, Gilbert O Bent, Geo E Barteaux, Bart Coxetter, R T Clinch, Chas H Flewwelling, Peter Sharkey, Alex Malcolm, A C Smith, Carleton, Jas Masson, Arch Sinclair, E R Moore, A J Lordly, Thos McElroy, Thos Connors, Geo Nickerson, Dan W Clark, Jas Rooters, E I Brass, Jas McNichol, Jr, A A Stockton, R P McGivern, A Lawrence Sturdee, Dan McAvoy, W W Turnbull, G H Martin, Dr Steeves, Jas Robinson, JP Geo E Snider, Thos F Raymond, Henry Littlehale, Thos S Simms, J D Landry, W H Thorne, Alfred Lordly, R H B Tennant, Joseph B Slipp, Robt Cruikshank, Jas R Ruel, Dudnee Breeze, John Russell, Joseph Balcolm, Thos W Robinson, Jas Wales, Fred T Titus, O H Warwick, D V Roberts, And Armstrong, J Alfred King, Geo T Burpee, John Drury, A Buist, Fred Doherty, Wm Vaughn, Alex Duff, W A Smith, W Walter Clarke, Jas S Harding, Thos Campbell, Wm Hazelhurst, G D Steeves, Jas S May, John Mealey, W H Olive, Walter A McFate, John T C McKean, W H Merritt, R C John Dunn, J J Mullin, D E Dunham, James Molson, Chas Emerson, R C Scovil, Adam Young, Alex Rankine, W E Skillen, B Heyenor, Thos P Trueman, T D Henderson, Geo Blake, Henry Rubins, John Kerr, John Smith, Joseph Rowan, E J Wetmore, John Stewart, R T Worden, Robt Pringle, Capt Chisholm, Rich W McCarthy, Wm Magee, Chas Masters, Jas Clark, Hugh L Francis, John S Armstrong, Fred Goddard, Chas Baillie, Coll Bros, Thos S Adams, Robt Blair, Alex Barnhill, John Abrams, Wm V Barbour, Richard Cassidy, W J Davidson, W H Quinn, Andrew Emery, David Lynch, J B Eagles, R McLean, Wm Stevenson, James A Lake, John Sweeney, Robt McIntyre, F W Hatheway, Alex McCauley, Simon Lake, W C Drury, Wm Shaw, G S Fisher, David L Richards, A S Hay, Samuel Hayward, W E Vroom, Thos M Reed, Thos Finlay, J M Reid, S L Britain, Edwin C Fisher, W S Fisher, Barton Gandy, W F Burditt, Edwin Frost, Jas Ready, A C Fairweather, David Brown, A B Wetmore, E L Whittaker, W B Wallace, Peter Campbell, Frank O Allison, Louis D Clarke, Jas Robinson, Jas L Carmichael, Wm J Logan, Jas A White, Jacob W Myers, Geo H Clarke, John Kelly, Wm Dunlop, Geo F Baird, Henry Idiols, John B Andrews, Wm A Chesley, Wm Campbell, Thos Clarke, W H Fairall, Jas R Ferguson, Thos H Adams, Geo Fraser, W Watson Allen, Col Cunard, Samuel Weston, Michael Gallagher, Thos White, Thos Cassidy, Samuel Schofield, Arthur Daniel, W R Purchase, F Green, W Pugsley, Jr, Thos Dale, John F Figgures, Wm Jones, Dr White, W W Jordan, R B Emerson, Frank McCafferty, C H Dearborn, Jas E Knight, James Frink, V S, Hurd Peters, J B Emery, Ernest Peiler, John A Goddard, Wm Kennedy, Wm F Harrison, C F Kinnear, Geo W Whitney, A A Watson, Wm Vassie, E V Hunt, Fred A Jones, W I Whiting, John Jordan, Thos H Youngclaus, Jas B Kennedy, Thos Kickham, Fred A King, James Patterson, E L Rising, M N Powers, E E Kennedy, Jas W Lee, H P Kerr, J R Noble, M W Maher, Robt Leonard, Wm Lewis, R A Payne, S T King, W L Prince, Richard A N Knight, Joseph W Potts, Wm Kerr, Dr McFarlane, Wm M Jarvis, Jas J McGivern, F Pheasant, Jos F Merritt, S P Osgood, John McLeod, John S Parker, D C Clinch, O Pitfield, Dr W Christie, W H Knowles, John D Howe, John Hopkins, James Griffiths, Jarvis Verner, Chas A Hutchings, R P Starr, Geo F Thompson, S E Stephens, Luke Stewart, Thomas Likely, Isaac Olive, Charles T Nevins, Geo Stewart, John R Smith, Geo Thomas, Alex Stewart, Geo Murray, James Stirling, Geo Pattison, J M Robinson, Robt S Thomson, John K Taylor, James Sullivan, J Souther, Hilyard Brothers, Joseph Armstrong, G Ernest Fairweather, S J Stubbs, Jas F Robertson, Thomas G Ralston, Wm H McLaughlan, John McGoldrick, John Byers, E N Sharp, Geo F Matthews, R C Skinner. THIRD RESOLUTION. Hon. John Boyd in moving the third resolution thanked the Mayor for having taken the initiative in this movement, so important to the interests of the city. From what he saw of the spirit of the meeting he felt the exhibition was an assured success. You have, to-night, by your vote stated that there shall be an exhibition, and it was his duty to show that there were pecuniary interests involved in that vote, and that they must be provided for. This ought to be the exhibition of exhibitions. Mr. Elder, in his admirable address, had shown what the exhibition should be. Another Dominion Exhibition, not far from here, would have been an entire failure but for the manufactures of St. John and the produce of P.E.I. If we could do this for an exhibition 300 miles away, what can we not do for an exhibition at our own doors? St. John was not accustomed to taking a back seat to any one, and it was a city that challenged the admiration of strangers from every part of the world. When that great exhibition arises we will be able to show the visitors to it some of the finest edifices in Canada. When he looked among the audience he saw the same old staff we always see when the Mayor calls upon us for assistance in any public enterprise. But in this race as in all other contests there is a money principle involved. When we go to the Governments for help we must be prepared to show what we are doing to help ourselves. How are you going to raise the balance after the Dominion and Local Governments have given their money? If a subscription paper was carried round a few would subscribe but the majority would not. The proper way for the money to be raised was by the board of assessors, so that all would have to pay their share. He moved the following resolution: -- Resolved, That considering the important benefits, both direct and indirect, which will be conferred on the city of St. John by holding the Provincial and Dominion Exhibition in this city, it is the opinion of this meeting that substantial aid should be given to it by the city; and it is therefore recommended that the Common Council of the city be requested to make an appropriation of at least $5,000 to assist in defraying the expenses of the exhibition. Mr. Wm. Peters, in seconding the resolution, said it was necessary that we should do something for ourselves in forwarding the Exhibition, and that it was proper to pass such a resolution as the present. The money so expended will come back to us fourfold and more. Mr. D. S. Kerr spoke at length. A lawyer of small dimensions had rebuked a competent justice by saying that it was not the ponderosity but the soul that makes the man. Ontario had the ponderosity but New Brunswick had the soul. He thought there was no Province in the Dominion so well adapted for the purposes of an exhibition, and St. John is as well adapted for manufacturing as any city in America. Some disturbance occurring at this point Mr. Kerr abruptly concluded his remarks. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. PORTLAND ASKED TO AID. Mr. A. C. Smith thought the Town Council of Portland should be called upon to furnish at least one half of the sum voted by the city of St. John. Portland had really more manufactories than St. John. He then moved the following: -- Resolved, That the Town Council of Portland be respectfully requested to contribute towards the exhibition of a sum of money equal to at least one half of the amount given by the city of St. John. Judge Palmer thought that as this was simply a meeting for the city of St. John we had no right to speak for Portland. Judge King hardly agreed with the remarks that had fallen from Judge Palmer. This is a meeting to organize for an exhibition. It would not be fitting that another meeting should be called for Portland, as he took it that the committee would embrace the residents of Portland. This meeting fairly represents the city and county of St. John, and he did not think it unfair that a request should be made for assistance from Portland. He would like to see our Centennial year signalized by a union with Portland. He seconded the resolution. Mr. Jer. Travis saw no reason in the world why such a request should not be made by this meeting to the town of Portland. The Mayor said that in appointing the committee he had not thought either of the city of St. John or Portland, but had taken them indifferently throughout the whole county. Judge Palmer said that, if the resolution was only a request there could be no impropriety in passing it. Mr. I. Allen Jack said that as a resident of Portland he would heartily vote for the resolution. Councillor McLean said that as a member of the Portland Town Council, whatever they would agree to, he was willing to agree to. Coun. O’Mahoney said he had every reason to believe that when the matter came before the Portland Town Council they would contribute what they considered fair towards the expenses of the exhibition. Coun. Cochrane said that “Portland would, in the future as she had in the past, assist in carrying out any enterprise that the people of St. John thought to be for the benefit of the whole city and county of St. John. Chairman Maher, of the Portland Town Council, felt that what had been said in the course of the evening was calculated to stimulate every inhabitant to make the Exhibition a success. Portland was interested in the Exhibition as well as St. John and the demand that had been made on Portland by the resolution of Mr. Smith was a fair one. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. The thanks of the meeting were then moved to the chairman, with Judge Palmer in the chair, and carried unanimously. The meeting then adjourned and after three cheers for General Wolseley dispersed.