New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-07
Def Is OF THE EXERCISES.


Def IS OF THE EXERCISES.
Worn with age and bcdraggcd by the rain, the
ancient flag which has so long lOated from the roof
of the old Produce Exchange Building was furled
yesterday. But from the tower of the stately
building few rods distant 4 new flag was given TO
the breeze and it welcomed beneath its folds the
members OF the Exchange, who went from the
scenes Of their past and claimed the cdi-
fee which they had erected their own. The
members of the Exchange assembled IN the old
Dudng shortly after a. m, and gave themselves
mp entirely to recalling "reminiscences. The young
men were disposed to he jubilant. the old men med
itative; but whether they were young old they
displayed their blue badges of membership with
the same pride. Up on the second floor a rough
platform had been knocked together for the Cleo
Club and James Niece to make their farewclls in
behalf of their fcllow-mcmbcrs. Even through the
mist and ram which filled tie air without, the
massive structure to which the members were soon
going threw its shadow across the as though
nytingly
President j. II. Herrck with crimson badge
climbed up on the platform at 1915 a. III. lie was
speedily followed by Secretary Mcintyre and Mr..
McGee Then party of brokers formed a sort of
pyramid the "bul ring and the crowd Of
nearly 1000 members listened to the president as
ne IOlu WHY llb'N lldu dSStuDlch ITO luch Ndli'u
upon Mr. MoGoo to deliver the valedictOry address.
In doing so 5Ir. Niece spoke of the sad thoughts
which were suggested by leaving the old building
and alluded to the grand work that lay before the
Exchange.
LEAVING THE OLD BUILDING.
After the speaker had been applauded TO the
echo. fifteen members of the Glee Club, led by
William L. Trealwcll in the full splendOr of lilac
colored badges, sang Good Bye, Dear Halls of
Old" So pathetic was the song, and so appropriate
to the occasion they were celebrating, that many
of the elder members wiped their moistened eyes
as the rccOlecons of departed times were recalled
Then Aud Lang Syne" was sung But the
soothing strains of the melody had scarcely
died away when onslaught was made
on the "bull ring" in the wheat
ner, and for time the air thick
with careenng tables aud showers of wheat and
corn Umbrellas were raised, but the ammunition of
the bears seemed inexhaustibe and the bull
ring" remained behind the departing procession
mighty ruin.
The procession was formed on both floors of the
old building, the members whose seniority gave
them the precedence assem- bling on the second
floor and the remainder on the hOOr below The
march was not so elaborate in point of detail as it
was first intended to be. The rain caused a can
opy of umbrellas to lift itself over the marcherS
and long stream or nearly 0,OOO members pro-
ceedad in double file to their now quarters along
the sidewalk Cappa's band stood under shelter in
its respondent uniform and discOursed sweet
sounds to the evacuatOra. When the platoon of
twenty policemen who headed the procession ar
rived at the poricO of granite pillars Of the new
building the great doors were thrown open and the
5000 blue badges took possession of their home.
1t did not take long to I'll the immense hail of the
building, and at 1l:45 o'clock the brass clock
over the gallery tickod away the minutes over the
heads OF nearly 5000 persons. The platform for
the speakers extended twO-thlfds ot the width OF
the hall, and 10 relieved from tho usual mOnOt
Ouv of TEMPORARY structures Of like character by
being ,partcrre Of lihes, geranlumS, roses and
palms. Above the heads of the president and the
speakers hung Il large National flag, with It's
union" fastened to the ceiling and Its folds eX-
tending below the level of the platform There
was no other decoration in the hail, but the light
flterinC through the brilliantly colored skylght
sent sufficient color upon the white walls to make
the general effect exceedingly warm and rich.
President Herrck seated himself IN ar1n-ch lr in
the middle Of the platform On his left atwllayor
mIttee pinned TO his coat. On the, presidents
right were Chauncey VI Depew, the Rev. Arthur
Brooks and Agernon 5 Sullivan. To the rear of
Mr.. Hcrrick were Alexander f. orr, Dock
Parker president Of the Produce Exchange Bank :
Mr.. Blake OF Chicago; Thomas White, OF Montreal;
Toledo; @. L. Colby of Milwau<c; ID. A. Lindley |
j. A. Amelung, Richard Arnold. A. ). Hatch |
Charles C.. Burke and Samuel .aeoDy Controller |
Grant sat in the front row of the audience. Not
wIthstandInG the sO,cmnIty of the exercises, the
Light -hcartcdncss of the brokers could not be re-
strained, and while the president was waiting fer
the last notes of an overture TO die away, they |
flung pamphlets at each others heads with an au-
mirabeIack OF precision.
PRESENTATION BY MAYOR EDISON.
Promptly at nool President fIcnricl rose and |
called upon the Rev. Mr.. Brooks to invoke bless
ING. Then came an overture from Tannhiuscr' |
and the DEDICATION ceremonies were begun. When |
Mr.. Herrick led Mayor Edison to tho fringe Of |
flowers which bordcred the platform, he introduced |
him a, the chairman Of tho Building Committee. |
The Mayor was greeted with applause. lie SAID IN |
part
II becomes my pleasing duty formally 70 announce to
you and through 10 the members OF the Produce tx
S6nSr MAT the great work which You placed IN their
charge nearly five years is far accomplished that
thew have today great satisfaction In surrenderng TO yOu
and IN those whom vou represent this completed struc-
ture in order that you may by appropriate Gerem9es-
in the presence OF the representatives OF kindred COM
merca institutions OF the United states and IN the pres
euce OF this multitude Of fellow cizens-dedcae 1t
TO the uses for which II IS intended:
There is need that should tell the story " the COM
mtee's labors in locating, planning and SUI |
peryising its construction. Their records, |
contained In many closely written volumes, elaborated in
every detail. tell that more elOquently than can do.
Therein recorded the names OF the men that should
be engraved upon TINS monument as hitting testimonial
to their wisdom skill and toll there to remain so long az
these walls shall stand.
Committee is practically finished and IN surrenderng TO
Won this completed building the result OF their abOrs
ia witnessing its dedication temple OF commerce
worthy OF this commercial metropolis and in its approval
and acceptance by You fitting nome for the York
Produce Exchange the committee have their ample re-
ward.
REPLY By PRESIDENT HERRICK.
Mr.. Herrick in response accepted the building in
behalf of the members of the Exchange and con-
graduated the committee on the successful result
of their labor. The Gee Club then took possession
of the platform and sang Hail This Temple
Grand" The audience endeayOred to induce the
singers to repeat but without avail, az they gave
pine to Mr., uerrics, who spoke at considerable
length. His address was IN part as follows