Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-15

dent Harrison stepped TO the main eusraae,
and the crowd cheered Justify. Hats, umbrei
las, handkefchiefs, anything. vss vaved alof
regsrdsess Of dounpoursng torrents. For
short time he stood With uncovered: bead
boving to the assembled throng before him
Then ~ he made step fofwsrd a. though
be would speak the crowd became silent
His address vas brief bar warmly sympa-
thetie.
- PEssidsnt Harrison 6aid:
MY friends. my visit to the State Of
Maine vas altogether Disconnected frou
public affairs. l am not here today to speak
upon any public topic, but only to thank
you most sincerely for the cordial manner in
| which you have received me. | can't hos
| ever, leave the presence Of these citizens Of
Bath, without assuring them that have a
very deep interest in that great industry
which has built your thriving city aud which
has done so much TO promote the prosperity
Of our whole people. the industry of ship
building In every way that properly can.
whether a. . citizen or Is q public officer. |
| shAll endeavoF TO promote the rebuilding OF
our American merchant marine and the res
toration Of that great carrying trade which
We once possessed in every sea. The ar
raDgements that have been made and the
| interest feel in the closer inspection Of
your ship yards forbids that should speak
to you any longer, therefore | beg you to
allow me to thauk you again for your cor
d al interest and to bid you good bye"
The speech wos interrupted at various
points by cries of Amen" and Good The
people of Bath realized the immense sisnin-
canoe and importance of this visit of the
President Of the United States and Secretary
Of the Navy and President Harrisons re-
marks were dire cted mainly TO them as citi-
zens Of city which has had and still possess
es untold possibilities As shipping centre.
His speech WAS received with hearty cheers
and shouts. II vas hardly expected that he
would speak but ths measured tones Of the
Presidents voice were .Agcrly marked by
y populace which breathiessly awaited his
every word. Following the address an in
formal reception was held in the office Of the
postmaster and quite q number of the towns
people passed through aud shook hands with
the President.
From the custom house the party went to
the southe IN division of the Bath Iron Works.
The buildings were. handsomely decorated
with flags and bunting. Here a delegation
of seventy children from the Bath Naval
Orphans Home welcomed the party with .
song In response the President said, II
thank you, my little ones" fhe |
party passed through the works and
IS they entered the yard in the rear, the
two hundred employees gave them three |
cheers and tiger by way of further vel |
come. As they stepped upon the steamer |
Wiwurna, Capt. G. A. Lowe, the guns sta |
toned on the Maine Central wharf sent peal |
after peal from their iron throats. This trip
hv ni,l in 10
hundred invited guests, with the presidential
party steamed away from the wharf. Among
the prominent gentlemen on board the |
Wiwurna were Gen. Thos. W. Hyde, John |
o. Shaw, VIM. Rogers, Charles W. Morse,
J. W. Wakefield, j b, Drake, Washington
Gilbert. F. 0. Moses. Wn. Il. Hogan, 4. b.
Mallett, j. NJ. Hayes. John b. ,Swanton,
Henry Ingalls,, c. A. Coombs, J. ii Kim
ball and one hundred and five others, be-
sides the presidential party.
On account of the illness of Gov. Burlegh |
he could not be present and sent a letter Of
regret.
The river was alive with crafts during the
sail and the continual scieechias and scream
ing of whistles was the livliest sound that
Bath has heard for years
Every craft was flying its flag and the
river made stirring sight.
The steamer Samoset gave free excur-
sion and accompanied the Presidents boat
close alongside. The tug boats all had big
parties. The Wiwurna went down river to
the southern yards and thence up river again
1t was 3 30 p. NJ. when the party alighted at
the Goss ship yards where their carriages
were in waiting. They were driven to the
residence of Mr.. Sewall where a formal
lunch WAS served, with Payson Tucker, Sem
ator Frye. Congressman Dingley. Hon. W. ~
Putnam, and Gen Hyde, president of the
Bath Iron Works, among the guests Fol- !
lowing the lunch the party left Mr.. Sevalrs
handsome gyOunds and were driven TO the
station.
Just before the President left the house
to return to the train, Mr.. Sewall thanked
him for his presence and referred to Baths
interest in shipping President Harrison re
piled in all informal half conversational way
that of course he thanked them, hut he was
unable to speak with freedom upon the mat
ter of which they had spoken. He was quite
free to say that the matter in which they were
deeply interested was thing in which he had
a deep interest.
At the station a large number still congre
gated to pay their last adieus to the Presi-
dent, and amid the cheers of the crowd, the
pattcr of the rain drops on the cars and the
firing of cannon, the train slowly pulled out
of the city. Bath had received the Presi
dent of the United States, had listened to his
words Of praise concerning the beautiful
city and its industry. and was content.