National Republican (Washington City

THE NATIONAL FAIR.

A General Holiday in the District Next Tuesday.

All the Government Departments to be Closed-Scenes at the Fair Grounds Yesterday-Arrival and Arrangement of Exhibits-The Gates to be Closed on Sunday-Art Gallery Not Ready.

Business to be Suspended Tuesday.

Next Tuesday the opening day of the National Fair will be a general holiday in the District. Commissioners Twining and Dent yesterday called upon the President and asked in the name of the Fair Association that the Departments be closed next Tuesday, and that the clerks and employees be given a half holiday each succeeding day of the Fair. The President promised to bring the subject before the meeting of the Cabinet. Later in the day at the meeting of the Cabinet it was decided to suspend business in the Executive departments after 10 a. m. on Tuesday. An order to this effect will be issued by the President on Monday. Commissioner Dent said yesterday that the District Government would follow whatever rule was laid down by the General Government. The proposition to close the public schools Tuesday will be considered at a special meeting of the school trustees to-night.

Scenes at the Fair Grounds.

Business at the Fair grounds yesterday was of the liveliest description, the swarm of laborers all being pushed to renewed exertions in the various departments. Inside the main hall, however, the bustle was more noticeable, exhibitors being early on hand directing the location of their cases and movements of the men employed in their erection. Among those who put in an appearance were: John E. Kendall & Son, hardware dealers, whose display was all arranged by 5 o'clock in the evening; Benkert & Wilson, shoe dealers; J. H. Magruder, grocer; F. C. Smith, agent for the Bradbury organs and pianos; Julius Langsburgh, carpets; A. Saks & Co., clothing; George Ryneal, paints; George Breitbarth, furniture; Carl Mueller, confectioner; M. Veerhoof, picture frames and moldings; W. M. Galt, flour, feed, grain, &c. and B. Charlton, "Havener's bakery," a fine display of cakes, crackers and other articles for which this firm is noted.

The platforms intended for the show-cases in a number of instances were finished yesterday, and the goods intended for them will be placed on exhibition to-day. It has been decided that the ladies' fancy-work department shall have the space on the sides of the hall allotted to it, and cases will be supplied for them by the Fair association to day. Over 100 entries were made in this department yesterday, one of the most interesting being a large oval frame composed of fruit seeds handsomely painted and varnished. In order that visitors may recognize this article a splendid steel engraving of General Grant is the centrepiece.

For the convenience of persons desirous of entering articles for exhibition a temporary office, in charge of Mr. Hillman, has been established in the southeast corner of the main hall. The machinery hall yesterday received its first exhibit. Mr. G. T. Dunlop, of this city, entering a number of agricultural implements. This hall is now ready for the reception of articles, the interior having received its last coat of paint yesterday afternoon. The Avenue between the main and agricultural halls was enlivened yesterday by a large corps of carpenters erecting the various stands, for which privileges were sold last week. Work on the grand stand progresses rapidly, the roof having been completed and half the clap-boarding finished when work stopped last evening. It is expected that by Monday afternoon all the exhibits will be in position, and everything in readiness for the opening Tuesday morning.

The directors have concluded not to allow any more indiscriminate driving on the track, and hereafter the gates opening upon it will be kept locked. To-morrow all the gates of the grounds will be closed, and no one permitted to enter. The art gallery will not be ready for the reception of exhibits until Monday. During the Fair Mr. George W. Knox will run a line of omnibuses to the grounds, and attention is invited to his schedule elsewhere.

A Gent's "Waltham" Stem-Winder,

Solid gold cases, handsomely engraved. $39.

Jacobs Bros., 1229 Pennsylvania avenue.