Omaha daily bee., 1883-05-25
While Hundreds Of Thousands
Flank the Piers, Unable
to Get q Footing.
Botn Cities in Holiday Attire
and the Shipping Decked
With Flags.
Hundreds of Cannon Belch
Forth Deep-Mouthed
Salutatious.
Details Of the Great Evant.
THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
Special Dispatch to The BEE.

THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
Special Dispatch to The BEE.
NEW YoRK,-May 24.-The eighth
wonder of the world,-eighth In point
of time, but first In point Of sIgni6-
canoe, was to-day dedicated to the use
of the people amid the booming of
cannon, shrlll whistlings of thousands
Of steamers and the plaudits of great
masses of cit z ,ns.
B:ooklyn bridge was formally pre-.
sented to the cities of New York and
Brooklyn, the president of the United
States and eff ,ers of his csbinet, the
governor Of the state of New York
and staff, senators and representa-.
tives feom many states and terri
ories and mayors from both cities
being approving witnesses of the
ceremony. As though to make up
for the long period of ~inattention,
possibly of doubt as to thu bridge,
Brooklyn burst forth to-day in regal
style as an entertainer of her dis
tinguished guests. Brooklyn mas been
rarely honored with q visit OF the
president, yet to day 1t was IN.
mistakable that tine chief magistrate
of the nation was bat 90 adjunct of
the great event and not himself the
principal attraction. The chatter
about the ocn1rrence Of the bridge
opening on Qlsen Vicsoria's birth
day is only amusing now that the
great ceremony Ia over, bat is simply
fair to remember that while the bridge
trustees had no thought of honoring
her Britanic majesty In the selection
of the day, they unconsciously n
listed the clerk Of the weather on
their side by IL. Queens weather"
Ia = provarb In England and Ireland,
and despite the sinister sepec. OF the
sky until long past midnight Of We'd
nesday, the sun asserted itse!f to-day.
NEW YORK, May 24.-To.day was
gala day in Brooklyn. Througout the
city there appeared to be q general
surrender OF buiiness to sight seeing
and celebration. The main business
avenues, the heights, and many streets
clear out into the suburbs, were deck
ed most fairly with flags, buating and
flowers for the bridal with the city
over the river. Public buildings,
private houses, street cars, wagons
and trucks fly coiors of all nations In
honor of the opening of the big bridge.
On every hand preparations are being
made for the illumination tonight.
Great satisfaction is expressed among
the people of Brooklyn at the compile
ton of the bridge from which SO much
Is expected for their city. Vendors
of bridge souvenirs were about In
hundreds, and found ready sales.
Enterprising merchants took the
opportunity of advertising wares
on the backs of pic.
lures of the Brooklyn bridge.
Fulton street, from the furthest end
to the river front, is gay with colors.
the decoration of the Academy OF
Mnsic occupied a small army of men
In being prepared for a reception
tonight. All through Columbia
Heights and streets opening into that
fashionable neighborhood the decora
ton Is very general, and the effec'
handsome. Tne houses of Colonel
Roche, chief engineer of the bridge,
and Mayor Low, of Brooklyn, art
.decked with flowers and bunting and
the coat.of-arms Of New York an6
Brooklyn. The invalid engineer will
receive tho president and mayor, ant
In the evening for q brief hour the pub
lie. The colonel 10 feeling better to
day, but is too weak to leave thu
house and share In the ceremonies o
the bridge.
From the towers of ths great brIdgt
the national flag waves, and the spar
across the river is decorated with flag
from che end to the other. From
esrly morning crowds began to gathe,
at the end where the spseoh-makinl
was to take place. Ia the harbor flag
fly from all the shipping. The ves-
sells Tennessee, Vandalis, Kearsag,
and Ysntic lie in a row off Governor
Island, flying national colors. Tn,
navy yard aud all ships along the New
York and Brooklyn water front ar,
decked with bunting. In New Yorl
business is partly suspended. Mos
of the exchanges closed at noon an'
many business places suspended worl
for the afternoon. Flags flew iron
the municipal and other buildings II
City Hall park, from business place
along Broadway and other streets, ant
many private residences. The day |
all that could be desired for the occa'
sion. The houses along the route @
the procession from the Fifth Avenu
. Hotel to City Hall, are decksd Wit
colors. At the New York end Of tn
bridge workmen have been busy q
morning, putting the finishing touche
to the decorations.
NEW YORK, May 24.-Crowds bt
gan to gather early at the bridge, an
waited with patience the arrival {
the procession and the beginning {