The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-07-16
NIAGARA PARK.
The Reservation Formally opened to
the World.

NIAGARA FALLS, n. Y, July 15.-The
weather was, this morning, all that could be
desired for the success of the exercises of
the day. Large. crowds arrived on every
train, and everything was activity and bus
tie. The exercises opened with the firing Of
100 guns at sunrise. Many business houses
which yesterday were not decorated, were
today covered with flags and bunting height
enlng the gorgeous effect. The banks were
well filled with visitors at an early hour.
At an informal meeting of the commits
sioners, held at the Cataract House this
morning, the following despatch was reeely-
ed:
LONDON, England, July IA.
Representatives of the State of NeaO York at Nj
GgdrG Fails:
The Commissioners of the Preservation Society
congratulatelthe State of New York on securing
Niagara Falls to the public.
About noon clouds began to gather, and
the rain came down briskly. The weather
having cleared later, the exercises were car
ried out according to the programme an
nounced. Before the exercises commenced,
the Park held fully $4,000 spectators. The
governor and his staff, and many distin-
guished persons occupied seats upon the
platform The exercises were opened with
prayer by Bishop Coke, and the national
ton was delivered by Hon. Erastus Brooks.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Brooks address,
which was greeted with loud applause, he
read letter from President Cleveland re-
opening of the State reservation. A letter
of regret was also road from the Governor
General of Canada. The address of presen-
tatlon was then delivered by ex-Lieut. Gov.
Dorsheimer, president of the commission.
The speaker referred to the act of the leg
islature which provided for the establish
ment Of the park at Niagara, and the ap-
pointment of commission to carry such
provisions into effect; and in announcing
the completion of the duties of the commits
sion he promised that the scenery of Niaga-
ra would soon be restored to its original
splendor and beauty. Gov Hill followed,
formally accepting the reservation for the
State of New York ON behalf of the people
at large. He announced that Niagara was
now free to be enjoyed by all the world. In
cidentally he mentioned that the commission
had expended million and half dollars in
securing the present success Of the project of
establishing free park at Niagara, and he
mentioned that a similar project was in con-
temptation by the Canadian authorities for
the preservation of the national beauties of
the scenery on the Canadian side of the
falls.
James G. Carter was the orator of the day,
and his mastery effort was listened to with
most earnest attention.
Lieut. Gov Robinson and Attorney Gener-
al MoWatt of Canada made brief addresses
after which Keller's American hymn was
sung, followed by the singing of the Doxolo-
gy, and the benediction by Bishop Coke and
the audience then dispersed.
About 8 O'Clock the troops paraded the
principal streets, passing in review before
the governor In the evening there was a
thousands of persons remaining over to wit
ness it. 1t is estimated that $4,000 visitors
were here today. The celebration has been
a grand success.