St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-17
A Graphic Description of the Cere-
monies Connected With the
Grand Opening.
Ride from st. Paul to the Crescent City
to See the Wonders Of the Expo
sition.
Minnesota and Dakota in the Front
Rank of the Many Exhibits Dis
played.
AT WASHINGTON.

Washington connected with the opening of
the Worlds exposition in New Orleans, he
named the hour of 1890 p. m. as the time
when the formal exercises at the executive
mansion would begin. Before that hour this
afternoon $50 or 200 invited guests, com
prising some of the best known people of
Waship gton and including large number of
ladies, assembled in the spacious ''East
eroom' Of the presidential residence, where
the ceremonies we're to take place. No at
tempt was made to decorate the room, and
it appeared precisely as usual except that on
the eastern side near one Of the
central windows stood small mahogany
table bearing a telegraph instrument, and
that behind it on an easel was large picture
Of the New Orleans exposition buildings and
grounds, beautifully framed in fresh rose
buds and carnations interviewer with smilax
and maiden hair ferns. The frame was sur
mounted by floral scroll composed mainly Of
white carnations upon which the words ''To
the President appeared in red and blue
immortelles. This was a token presented
by the board of management Of the exposi-
ton.
Among the distinguished persons
who strolled back and forth through
the east room talking, or listen
ing to the music of the Marine band
and waiting for the beginning of the cere-
monies, we're most of the members Of the
diplomatic corps and President Arthur's
cabinet with their wives, the president of the
senate, speaker Of the house, Wv. Corcoran,
Geo. Bancroft the eminent historian, Law
renee Barrett, Gen. Van Vliet, Minister
Foster with Mrs. Foster and their daughter,
Mayor Smith, of Philadelphia, Marshal
McMichael, Mrs. Chief Justice Waite, Mrs.
Justice Field and many others. There were
also present the special committees from the
house and senate, representing the states
and territories of the Union, and several
states were represented by commissioners.
AT the telegraph instrument table sat Mr..
Er. NJ. Marean, manager of the Western
Union Office, who had arranged the wires for
Che occasion, and who was TO manage the
telegraphic part of the ceremonies.
1t was expected the signal from New Or
leans announcing all was in readiness would
be given promptly at 1 o'clock, Washington
time, or noon by capital meridian time used
i'm New Orleans, and few moments before
themselves around the little table, leaving an
open passage way by which the president
could approach it from the main corridor.
Everybody stood thus in an attitude of ex-
pectancy for fully half an hour, while the
Marine band played the national airs and the
operator at the instrument table questioned
the New Orleans operator as to the situation.
At 1:30 Marshal McMichael, who acted as
master of ceremonies, announced that the
steamboat with the managers of the exposi-
Etion on board had not yet reached the Expo
sition grounds at New Orleans, and that even
after its arrival there would necessarily be a
further delay of ten or fifteen minntes. The
invited guests, who had been standing so long
in uncomfortable attitudes, thereupon, sought
seats around the sides of the room, and there
was renewed buzz of conversation.
About fifteen minutes before two, the op-
orator at the exposition building in New Or
leans announced the arrival of the officials
and board of management, and notice to
that effect was given to President Arthur. A
moment later, the latter, preceded by Marshal
McMichael, and accompanied by Vice Presi-
dent Edmunds and Commissioner Morehead,
entered the east room, followed by Speaker
Carlisle, with Secretary Frelinghuysen, Sec
retaries McCulloch, Lincoln, Chandler, and
Attorney General Brewster, members of tn
diplomatic corps, and other distinguished
guests. The president stationed himself in
front of the telegraph instrument table, with
Speaker Carlisle, Mr. Bancroft and Secretary
Frelinghuysen on his right, and Vice Presi-
dent Edmunds, Commissioners Morehead,
Senator Logan and members of the cabinet
at his left.
Moment after moment passed after the
president had taken his position, without
bringing any announcement from New Or
leans that the managers were ready to pro-
coed with the services, and the situation
finally seemed to become little embarrass-
ing to all concerned, and especially to the
president. As the minutes, however, length
Fened to quarter of an hour, and the presi-
dent and his cabinet continued to stand in
solemn state before the instrument table
without occupation or immediate prospect of
occupation, the embarrassment gave way to
q sense of the ridiculous, and the president
laughed heartily at the half whispered COM
ments on the situation and humorous ex-
plantations of the strange delay, which were
made to him from time to time by Secretary
Frelinghuysen, Vice President Edmunds and
other gentlemen who stood near him.
Finally, when the amusement was fast giving
place in its turn to feeling of WEAKNESS,
the following address to the president was re-
eeived and read by Commissioner Morehead:
To the President of the United States:
The present occasion is the consummation
rnf fha N inn
TO the act of congress passed less than two
years ago, and authorizing the holding of q
Worlds Industrial and Cotton Centennial
Exposition, under the joint auspices of the
United States National Cotton Plant associa-
ton and the city of its location. New Or
leans was then selected as the site of this
worlds exposition, and in June, 1888, thir-
teen commissioners, composing the board of
management, were appointed by the presi-
dent of the United States and at
once entered upon the discharge
of their duties. At an early date.
however, it became manifest that the liberal
ity of individuals of the city and state would
be Inadequate to meet the requirements of
:he ever-increasing magnitude of the under
taking Accordingly an application for aid
was made to the United States through con-
gress, resulting in obtaining that generous
assistance which has so materially contributed
TO the accom- plishment of the purpose con-
templated from the commencement. 1t was
determined nothing should give local or Sec
tional character to the great work, but that it
should be-ss it truly is-a ma
tional and international exposition.
And consequently to-day are assembled here,
the representatives of all nations OF the
world, side by side with those of our own