The Portland daily press., 1889-02-27
A SPEECH AT HARRISBURG.
What the PresIdent-elect Said e
Pennsylvania Citizens.

HARRISBURG, Pa, Feb. 26.-The time
gained in the run to Altoona yards was par
TALLY lost by the delay occasioned in reme-
dying misfit in the couplers joining the first
two cars of the train. and the presidential
section of No. 20 pulled slowly through and
out of the station at Altoona at 715, thirty
five minutes behind schedule time. The first
section would maintain its exasperating
habit Of blocking the road. but a change
was promised here, and the lively rate Of
speed at which the run over the division was
begun indicated that the promise would
be kept. No stop was made at Altoona
where the railroad shop hands were out in
full force along the tracks and several hun
dred citizens were gathered at the station to
wave their greeting. Russell Harrison the
last OF the Generals party to retire was the
nrst to make his appearance, just after
leaving Altoona.
At Huntington the streets were lined with
men, women and children, and at SMALLER
piaoos and at farm houses along the way the
train was greeted with knots Of interested
gaZers.
AT nine O'Clock the day had fairly begun
in car 120, and General Harrison and imme-
diate family sat down to breakfast whence
they viewed the gatherings Of the people at
Mount Union, Lewiston Junction, Miffiin,
Newport. Duncannon and Marysville as they
sped along toward Harrisburg. The party
ran Its way along the banks Of the Blue Ju-
niata. The table was adorned by hand
some bouquet Of roses, which came with the
compliments of Mrs. Harrison. Superinten-
should reach Harrisburg on time was re-
deemed, the cars rolling into the depot
promptly at 1890 in the presence of a great
assemblage of people, who were kept outside
the gates.
As soon as the train came to standstill
the gates were thrown open, and there was
great rush for Gen. Harrison's car. A
committee, repre- senting the legislature,
boarded the Presidents car and rendered
their congratulations The President-elect
being called for, stepped out on the rear
platform Of his car amid great cheering.
When quiet had been restored, Gen. Harri-
son addressed the Pennsylvanans as fol-
lows:
my Friends-I want to thank you for this
friendly demonstration; The State Of Penn
sylvania has an especial interest to me among
the States. Not many miles from here, in
one of your beautiful valleys near the town
OF Mercersburg, was my mothers birthplace.
l am glad this morning to receive at the
hands of my fellow citizens of Pennsylvania
this cordial greeting. 1t is very pleasant TO
know that shall carry with me to Washing
| [CheersI
II thank you again for your friendliness
and will beg you to excuse the attempt to
| fusion"
just as the train was pulling out of Har-
risburg, a gentleman handed up to Russell
Harrison a beautiful floral casket. As the
train left behind it the venerable city where
General Harrison's grandfather was nom
mated for the Presidency, the General, Mrs.
Harrison and the members of the family re-
mained out on the platform for some little
time. After the train had been transferred
to the Northern Central Road at Bridge
| port upon request Of the young son of Gov.
Beaver. General Harrison and the members
| Of his family stepped out on the platform Of
| the car and were photographed In group.
| The General has spent all of his time in his
private car, and when not reading or being
otherwise engaged, has devoted himself to
his grandchildren, who, Mrs. Harrison says,
are "naving great time" The run from
Bridgeport to York was without incident.
| BALTIMORE, Md, Feb. 26.-The train
bearing President-elect Harrison and party
| to Washington arrived at the Union Station
| promptly at LIS this afternoon. A tremen.
dous crowd was assembled at the depot and
thousands were on the bridges overlooking
the Pennsylvania railroad tracks. There
| was a stopDage of but few minutes for the
purpose of reversing the train, and the Pres
| Dental party started on the last stage of its
| journey amid a storm of cheering