The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-22
INTERFERING CLOSING EXERCISES IN
MU.IC HALL.
General Local News.

10 attract large crowd on the grounds,
which continued TO grow larger and
larger a. The day progressed. Among The
visitors were number OF strangers
who had come in 10 witness the closing
of one Of The most successful State Ex-
positions ever gotten up in the United
States.
There were no special attractions in the
morning, and yet the visitors all seemed
20 be thoroughly interested and to enjoy
themselves greatly. They never ceased
admiring the various beautiful displays,
agricultural, mechanical and domestic.
TaE CLosISG CEREMONIES.
At3 O'Clock the executive committee
# the Virginia Agricultural and Me
chsnical Society began gathering at the
presidents Office a short distnnce east of
the main building, and at 345 proces.
sion, composed Of the committee, headed
by Diroct0r-General Jones, and winding
% with President Starke. marched two
by TWO from the presidents office TO the
main building, and from thence 10 the
music hall where the closing exercises
were 70 be held. The committee and
visitors fled through the hall up on the
stage and took their seats. An enter
pTising photographer was on hand TO
take picture Of the group, which he ala
by the instantaneous process.
Immediately after being Photographed
President Stake advanced 10 the plat
form and stated thar Rev. DR.. Hoge
would open the exercises with prayer.
That eloquent divine offered up fervent
appeal TO the Throne OF Grace, thanking
the Almighty for the success which had
attenLod the Exposition and invoking a
continuance of His blessings upon our
State, city and country.
PRESIDENT sTARKE's ADDRESS.
Mr.. Starke then spoke at some length
upon what had been accomplished and
the great success which had been achieved
by the Exposition. When started fears
were prevalent that it would, at
best, be partial failure there
fears had proven groundless. The weather
had been beautiful Only eight DAYS OF
rain had occurred during the six weeks
from the opening 20 the closing day, and
the Temperature had been genial and
balmy herewith snow and sleet had pre-
vailed in tie North, and the sad story OF
yellow fever pcstilence had been heard
from the far South. There had been
more sunshine in the city of Richmond
during the past six week than in any
other city Of 10000 inhabitants on the
Atlantic coast, This he considered a
great argument in favor of immigration
to this city and section.
He then dwelt on the State debt as
cloud which Oyerhung ViTginia-a cloud
which should be dispelled by the bright
rays Of the business intellect OF the
state. He also dwelt upon the necessity
OF manufactures, which he considered
the salvation Of Virginia, being rs
iablishcd IN the State.
SUMMING VI.
Summing up, he said that a, least 400,
600 people had visited the Exposition
since IL opened, while on the register OF
visitors were names OF persons from
every section Of the globe The largest
attendance was 10000, on October 18th,
and the next largest was $1,000, on
Colored Peoples Day. lie bore tesii-
mony 10 the remarkably good order
which had been observed on that occa-
sion.
lie then thanked the Director General,
the officers of the association, the EN-
ployes and the press for what they had
done. His eulOgium on the press was
received with hearty applause from the
representatives Of the three Richmond
papers present.
Mr. Siarke concluded amid general
applause, and was followed by
MAYOR ELLYsOY,
who said he had never felt so proud Of
his native city as now, and he hoped and
believed tina. the Exposition had done
much TO remove the unreasonable preju-
dice which had existed bet Seen the sew
eral sections Of the state and the city Of
Richmond
OTHER SPEECHES.
Mayor Ellyson was followed by Gen
eral PeytOn Wise, who read letter he
had written in expectation Of not being
present, in which he congratulated the
State uDOn the success of the Exposition,
and p7ophesied a splendid future for the
old Commonwealth. He was followed
by Judge George l.. Christian, Hon. J. l..
NJ. Curry and Mr.. George ID. ThaXton,
who offered resolutions thanking the
people of North and South Carolina for
The interest they had shown in the EX-
position, and sending cordial greetings
from Virginia and Richmond to the peo-
ple of those States. The resolutions were
unanimously adopted
President Slarke then announced that
the Exposition would close with the
Last DAYS of Pompeii at night, after
which the meeting adjourned.
THANKS TO DIR. JONES.
Yesterday the employees of the Exposi-
ton sent the following letter 10 Director
General Jones
Henry C. J0nes, Esq, Director General
Dear Sir,-We, the undersigned com
missiOners Of the counties represented al
the Exposition, most respectfully beg
leave 70 tender 10 you our sincere thanks
for the uniform courtesy extented TO US
by yourself, and the officers and EN-
ployes under your supervision, and for
,he material aid rendered in arranging
and caring for our several displays during
the Exposition, feeling that much Of the
success attending our efforts has been
due 10 your wise counsels.