The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-11-11
witnessed by = Large and Enthusiasti'
Crowd.
Music. speeches, Original Poem, Ovation
Etc.

Music. Speeches, Original Poem, Ovation,
Etc.
A large crowd OF people, variously esti-
mated at from 1000 to 5000 persons, was
present ut the exercises attending the un'
yelling OF the Paxton Fountain, Saturday
afternoon. The front and side spaces OF
the Capitol Square were densely packed,
while the street and pavement immediate
" in front were crowded along the whole
square. Windows and doors OF buildings
in the vicinity were also occupied through
out the whole OF the services, and the bal
comics and windows OF the Capitol were
thronged with gaily dressed ladies' and
their escorts.
The exercises were begunabout 8 o'clock,
by music by Kramer's brass band, from
the upper balcony Of the Capitol, which
was charmingly rendered and heartily
applauded. Shortly afterwards Mayor
Sweeney, Mr.. Paxton, the State Officers,
members Of City Council, orator and poet,
proceeded from the Governor'sapartments
through the Capitol building to q rough
platform which had been erected directly
III HUH VI TIC AllallA ChtAbhttf hlOh VhssN
the exercises were to take place.
DR.. 7. II. Logan called the large assem-
blage to order, and announced that the
ceremonies Of the day would be opened
with prayer by Rev. D. A. Cunningham,
pastor OF the First Presbyterian Church,
Rev. Cunningham pronounced q fervent
invocation, to which the large assembly
listened with bowed heads in silence.
TIE PRESENTATION.
Following the prayer, DR.. Logan in a
few fitting words introduced to the au.
dience James W. Paxton, Esq, who was
received with applause, and who said:
".Mr. Mayor, Gentlemen Of lie G0mmae< ana
FtUor- Cti;ens:
"When | communicated to the city au.
thorities my presentation to the city OF q
fountain, and received their assent to its
location on this spot with o resolution Of
thanks, | did not expect or desire that any
further formalities would cnsue, and have
protested against them whenever suggest.
ed. But you gentlemen OF the Committee
who have this matter in charge, thought
and decided otherwise, and now in con-
formity to your programme | do formally
present to the city this fountain.
"Ifi it shall be considered an ornament to
this good old town of Wheeling, Of which,
as n native citizen, l am truly proud; and
il it provcsOmc slight source Of enjoyment
to our people, and more especially il it dc.
light the children, the little children, God
bless them! whose bright and happy faces
| shall hope to see often gathered about ii
then will my design have been accom-.
plished, and a long cherished hope to do
something in that direction will be re-
allied.
"Be pleased thus, Mr.. Mayor, to accept
for this city this gift, and with it my best
wishes for yourself personally, and for each
OF you gentlemen Of the committee, and
for all OF you whom l have the honor to
call my fellow-citizens."
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Paxton's re-
marks, which were loudly %applauded, the
band again discoursed some music, after
which Mayor Sweeney delivered the fol.
lowing
ADDRESS OF A~cCEITASCE.
mot very frequently since the settle.
ment OF this city has she been the recipi.
ent Of public beneiactions. The original
owners Of the land upon which We stand,
did, in laying ii out in squares, set aside
certain portions Of it to the public Use and
possession for streets, alleys, commons,
market spaces, cemeteries and wharves
not really donations, because paid for by
the purchasers OF the lots contained in the
city.
Zone pure donation was indeed made
by Mr.. Noah Linsley, still ministering, as
far as it can possibly be made to do, to the
benefit OF the community; and few years
ago another was made by DR.. Richard
Blum, who presented to the city a hand.
some drinking fountain.
an the cities and towns OF Europe beau.
tiiul and artistic monuments OF taste and
skill abound; fountains, statues and
equestrian and groupe figures are placed
in public squares, in parks, and in streets,
and ut their intersections; not always
placed to commemorate events or mark
localities, but erected to cultivate and graf.
ify q desire and taste in the public mind
for the beautiful and ornamental.
such works are generally made in size
to suit the spaces selected for their loca.
ton. Very large and very elaborate foun'
tains are placed in large spaces; for exam.
pie, the grand fountains at Versailles, for
which the supply Of water for one hour is
said to cost several thousand dollars, and
which are perhaps justly considered the
finest, rs they are the largest in the world,
are in a park containing hundreds Of acres,
and tan be viewed from every side and
seer from great distances. Smaller works
are appropriate in streets and small
squares.
"a few cities in our " country are
now possessors OF similar works Of art.
Boston has recently erected a fountain in
Boston Common which, in size and style,
is, as ! am informed, similar to this which
We now surround. The fountain, a larger
one than this, and which many Of you
may remember to have seen at the Cen
tennial, in the wide space between the
Main and the Mechanical Halls, was sold
to, and erected in Washington City. New
York, Philadelphia, Chicago and other
cities are also in possession Of similar
works, and notably, Cincinnati has the
finest and most costly IL yet set up in
inc lulteu SEhte5-uHu IL was tlc Rllt OF u
generous and liberal citizen.
at may well be 4 matter OF pride to us,
that Wheeling is not among the last to be
invested with so positive a mark Of pro.
grcss toward a front rank among her sister
cities, and Of congratulation that she has
citizens who car and do manifest their
love for her in substantial ways.
"Mr. Paxton: On the reception OF your
letter OF Sept. 10th last, expressing your
intention to present to the city tho foun.
tain here finished and now by you deliv.
cred, the Council had appropriate official
action, and appointed a joint special com.
mittee from among its members, with in.
structiOns TO convey TO you in suitable
form the said action Of Council. The com.
mittee has caused the proceeding Of Coun-
Gil to be properly %engrossed, attested TIN.
der the corporate seal, and signed by the
members OF the committee. The commit.
tee discharges the duty confided to II, in
now formally presenting to you this tran
script"
THE %DEDICATORY PRAYER
was made by DR.. A. L. Mayer, the Jewish
Rabbi, and was as follows:
IA nnnJ mama Ia hnftas than nrnn,aus