, 1889-12-12
CHICAGO'S DAY
Opening of the Great Audi
torium.
FINEST THEATER IN The WORLD
A Large and Enthusiastic
Audience Present.
AN ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT HARRISON
A Magnificent Spectacular Dis
play, Splendid Music and the
Appearance of Patti,

CHICAGO, Dec. 0.-An audience Of
5000 people and an outside assemblage
OF 10000 enthusiastic spectators tonight
witnessed the dedication of the largest
and grandest operate auditorium in the
world. Five thousand electric lights
decorated the interior of the colossal
structure to the lightness of MONDAY,
and 1000 incandescent border lights ot
various colors that hung over the stage,
the magnihcent arch and mammoth or
gan, the carved mahogany pillars be-
tween handsome gilded rows of boxes,
unique IN modern decorative art, COM
Dihed with the presence of one of the
most distinguished and critical audi
enccs IN America, rendered the occasion
one long to be remembered.
Four years ago Ferd W. Peck and q
talists conceived the idea OF form
ing themselves. into joint stock
company for tho purpose of erect
ing building that would surpass
any other structure of its kind in the
world. The result is this editice, costing
f3,0OO,OO, which represents a great
triumph of modern architectural and
decorative skill. 1t is the first theater
ever built with an interior shaped like a
cone, or speaking-trumpet, and the stage
being taken as the apex. The arched
roof and diverging walls retreat into
series OF constantly increasing circles,
being the acme of acoustic achievement.
A few minutes past 3 O'Clock this
evening the presidential party entered
the boxes reserved for them, and us the
| vast audience fully recognized the chief
magistrate of the nation, the momentary
applause opened into a long continued
ovation. The magnificent 175-stop or.
gan, with its 1000 pipes and bells,
breathed forth, in accompaniment with
tba orc phpsfrp a pnrh nj fanta al
posed for the occasion.
Among the notables present were
President Harrison, Vice President Nor
ton. Private Secretary Halford, First
Assistant Postmaster General Clarkson
and wife, General II. A. Alger and wife,
and wife OF Illinois, General George
Crook and wife, Governor Merriam and
wife of Minnesota, Governor l.arrabee
and wife of Iowa, Governor Hoard OF
Wisconsin, and Mayor Cregier.
In appropriate language Mayor
Cregier welcomed the guests of the even
ing, and to very courteous allusion to
the president, the governors OF the sur
rounding states and officers of the Cana.
dian provinces present the audience re-
sponded with Il round of applause. In
conclusion the mayor invited the guests
to another occasion of importance.
which would be an era in Chicago's his
tory, three years nence--tne worlus faif
of 1902. The mayors happy allusion
was heartily cheered.
In response to loud cries President
Peck of the Auditorium Association
spoke briefly, saying that the present oc-
casion marked the proudest moment of
his life. He divided the houors of the oc-
casion, however, with his associates,
Manager Adams and the architect, to
| whose genius the edfc would be, he
said n lasting monument. He con-
cluded by saying; Ladies and gentle
men: / have the distinguished honor
of introducing to you the president of
| the United States"