The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-29
THE CITY AT ITS BEST.
SRVANNAh's GREAT TRADE FEs-
TIvAL INAUGURATED.

Welcome by Ex-Judge Adams, the
Inauguration OF 'Open House" and
the Military Display-Crowds Pour
ing Into the City BY livery Train
The Streets Gay With Flags and
Bunting in Honor Of the Visitors
The Trades Display This Morning,
the Races This Afternoon and the
Fireworks Tonight
Merchants week opened under weeping
skies In spite Of the rain, though, no part
Of the programme, except the military re-
view in the park, was omitted. The early
morning trains brought in between 1000
and 5000 people from Middle, South and
Southwest Georgia, and from Florida and
South Carolina The Savannah, Florida
and Western railway ran its trains in double
sections, and every train was loaded All
day the crowds kept coming in, and last
nights trains were damned.
The downtown hotels are filed 70 the
roofs, but so far nobody has been turned
away. The Merchants week accommoda-
dion committee has on file at the general
committees headquarters list OF private
boarding houses for the information Of Wis
itOrs. II was estimated last night that
there were 5000 strangers in the city.
THE WHITE hat PARADE.
The drummers' parade was the inaugural
event Of the week. The Travellers exchange,
where the parade started at 9 o'clock. was
crowded with white-hatted drummers.
A drilling rain had set in, but IL did not
step the parade. Cobb's Military Band
headed the procession and, four abreast, the
line marched down Congress street, Mar
shall Lovenstein and his aids mounted;
Chairman Palmer, Secretary Robinson and
the members of the Merchants week execu-
tive committee and the president and vice
president of the Savannah branch OF the
Southern Travellers Association in carriages.
One hundred and fiftydrunmers were in line.
The Tennille Silver Cornet Band marched in
the procession At the "open house. head
quarters, at South Broad and Whitaker
streets, crowds had gathered.
AT THE "oPES HOUSE"
II was IL O'Clock before the address Of
welcome was delivered and by that time
the hall was pretty well filed. On the stage
were Mayor Schwarz, Chairman Palmer,
and members Of the Merchants
Col. Peter Reilly, Hon. William Clifton,
Capt. D. 6. Purse, Rev. J. L. Gilmore,
Cary B. Townsend. president Of the Savan-
nah branch Of the Southern Travellers Ass -
citation, and Aldermen Falligant and Reid.
Judge Adams was escorted 70 the stage by
John r. Young, chairman Of the entertain
meut COMMITTEES. Mr.. Young introduced
Judge Adams in these words:
GESTLExKS-The merchants Of Savannah.
desiring 10 cultivate friendly relations and to
foster Intimate business associations with the
sections trading here, have invited you to visit
our city They believe that these visits Of mer-
chants from the interior 10 their trade centers
tend as well 20 enlighten the merchant here on
the requirements Of trade as 70 inform you on
our advantages and capacities for handling bust
with US, that you should feel interested In our
city's welfare as feel an interest In the
material development Of the section you repre-
sent.
To this end they have instructed their repre-
sentatiyes-the committee having in charge the
management OF the May week festiyities-to
provide for your pleasure and entertainment.
In behalf Of tnat committee bid you welcome
In behalf Of the city Of Savannah. of her insti-
tutiops, and her merchants, have the honor to
INTRODUCES 70 you ons Of our distinguished fell
low citizens and gifted orators-one of the
states purest and ablest jurists-the Hon. A. p.
Adams.
JUDGE ADAMS ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
After the applause had ceased, Judge
Adams briefly but in charac-
teristic manner extended to the
visitors the freedom of the city.
Ny FRrKSDs-I bear a pleasing and high
commission Ny heart is laden with message
as tender and as cordial as ever human lips
have vainly str1ven to pronounce Represent
ing community who affect no concsament of
their just and honorable pride in the courtesy
and chlvalry and hospitality thar have ever dis.
tinguished them, utter no cold and ceremoni-
Gus words, when. to every friend and guest and
visitor within the city's gates to-day, bid glad
greeting and warm and Joyous welcome
No petty purpose alloys the purity Of this
SANITATION The event is animated by no selfish
sentiment. The desire TO knit more closely the
business and social ties, that bind in interest
and sympathy with every city, and section, and
community OF Georgia, and of our sister states
seeks the accomplishment of no benefits that
are not equal and reciprocal, and finds inspira.
ton in no sentiments that are not pure conf
prehensive and patriotic. Gratefully contem-
plating, as we do, all the Astounding evidences
that denote the rapid development and advance
nent OF our own city, we rejoice the more when
we reflect, that here are felt the same Quicken
ing impulses that are attested in the growth Of
Atlanta, Macon, Augusta, Columbus, Rome
Brunswick. and that are working marvelously
for the general progress and prosperity OF
Georgia and the union,
All hail then the occasion that brings us to.
gether in familiar social intercoursel All hail this
occasion with its genial influences and generous
3oysl Han every occasion when the affections
are exercised. and friendships are cult iyated
and the bonds OF brotherly love are strength.
ened, and that homozenity of thouoht and
sentiment ana feeling is fostered. upon which
patriotism builds its flrmest and fondest homes
for the perpetulty Of our institutions and for
the peace and prosperity of our peerless Anne r
lean republic
Adams sat down. It had hardly subsidized
when Judge Falligant was called for. At
the mention of his name the cheering began
again, but Judge Falligant declined to re-.
spond, and as the band struck up ne quietly
left the stage
open HOUSE" IEAUGURATED.
The "open house, was then formally in
augurated, and the hungry and thirsty
drummers braced up with that hospitality
which the city extends to its guests. The
badges were given out. and from then on
''open house" was open to every one who
wore the coveted bit Of pink ribbon.
This is one of the original features OF Sa-
vannah's festivals. Visitors wearing badges.
and over 5000 invitations emitting The
holders to badge were sent out, are ex-
extended the Inequalities of the house.
Lunch counters and bars extend the entire
length of the building, and lunches, punch,
cigars, ETC., are served with an open hand.
All the afternoon until the military
parade, and after that, the "open house.
headquarters were thronged.
THE MILITARY DISPLAY.
Notwithstanding the lowering clouds
there was large turnout of the military.
The rains Of the morning it was thought
would not be repeated in the afternoon, but
at 2:3O O'Clock the rain began to pour down
and continued to fail for three-quarters of
an hour. Such iuauspicious weather was
not calculated 70 anth1lsa the snldiars lint