St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-08-28
The BIG SHOW OPENS
Good Weather Draws an I'M
menSe Crowd Of Wis.,
itors.
The Streets Filled With Peo-
pie Out to Watch the
Parade.
Gov. Merriam Formally Sets
the Huge Machinery in
Motion.
The Great Pompeii Spectacle
a Grand Display Seen by
Thousands.

platoon OF mounted police, came III SlgnJ.
Carriages followed, in the first of which
was seated Gov. Merriam and President
S. C. Gale, of the Exposition. This was
followed by carriages containing the
governors staff in all their gorgeous
ness of gold cord and chapeau. The
local militia followed, and interspersed
with various bands came the various
local organizations and exhibits on
wheels by members having space in the
Exposition.
The vast crowds that flocked to the
building showed beyond doubt that
the people have not lost interest in the
great show, and for first day the build
Ing was in excellent shape, so much so
in fact that it will be but the work of a
few days to have the display all in per-
feet running order.
An Accident
to the electric machinery delayed that
exhibit, but it is under repair and will
be ready Immediately. The splendid
display about the electric tower is due
entirely to the energy of G. l.. Trevis,
whose idea it is. He worked early and
late upon it, and the result is one of the
prettieSt displays of its kind that has
ever been exhibited. The Edison dis
play is all in place, and is complete,
showing all the known improvements
in electricity. The art gallery drew i'm
mense crowds, and is well worthy the
patronage bestowed upon it, as it Is a
classical collection, and there is not one
canvas that was in the Exposition last
year. There are some local pieces that
compare favorably with the others, and
reflect great credit upon the Mime
apOliS artists.
The Shetland ponies were objects of
much attraction, and the little beauties
received no end of petting from the
ladies and children. The little colt es-.
pecially received more than its share of
careSseS. and seemed to appreciate the
stir it was creating. These little ami
mails will, no doubt, become great favor
ties. A track One-SiXth of mile in
length runs about the first floor of the
building, around which they can be
rode or driven, the hire being five cents.
The public school exhibit is in place
and drew large crowds. Reeves band
gave it's initial performance, and was
received with the favor it deserved.
When the procession arrived at the
building
~, Governor and His Staff
entered. accompanied by the military,
and proceeding to the gallery the ex-
ercizes begun: opened by splendid
rendition of patriotic medley by
Reeves band, that at once placed that
splendid musical organization on
friendly terms with the public. S. q.
Gale then introduced Bishop McGol-
rick, of Duluth, who read "a glowing
prayer, written for the occasion. After
another musical number, S. G. Gale
spoke. To-day, he said, for the fifth
time the Minneapolis Exposition opens
its doors to the people. The Min
neapolis Exposition of 1890 will
bear comparison in point OF variety and
excellence with its forerunners. thank
the thousands of people who have lent
us their aid to-day. 1t is furnished for
the benefit of the people, and it is to
them we look for support. He thanked
the city council for their constant and
cordial cooperation in every possible
way. He then introduced President E.
M. johnson, of the city council. He
spoke of the old custom of celebrating,
| in some way, the harvest time. The
people of Minnea polls, acting through
an unselfisb and intelligent body Of our
fellow citizens, have erected
This Great Building,
where each year are gathered together
from all parts of the world those things
which interest, entertain and amuSe, and
here are invited to come not only all
| our own people, but all our friends and
neighbors, and all the inhabitants of
| the great Northwest. What we have
| accomplished III the way of manufact-
Ia, law M
our own people, and not at all by others.
The Exposition offers an opportunity to
| all to become acquainted with the ma
terial Development of our city. He
spoke of the great strides made by Min
neapoliS in its population and business
| since the Exposition first opened, and
| finished by extending hearty welcome
to all visitors to the city, to whom he
promised the help of Minneapolis and
| its Exposition in contributing to their
| amusement.
Gov. William r. Merriam was the
next speaker, and formally opened the
Exposition of 1890.
| l am not unmindful, Mr.. President and
| ladies and gentlemen, of the high compli-
| ment conveyed in the invitations rendered to
| participate in the ceremony of opening this
| great industrial exposition. Keen anticipa-
ton of pleasure and profit and high appre-
| citation OF the untiring and unseltsh labors
| of the managers. in providing so much to de-
light the eye and interest and improve the
| mind, is atteSted by the vast assemblage here
| gathered. Upon all sides are seen evidences
| of the inventive genius OF our age-Jolnt
| products of the hand of industry and of the
| mind skilled in the sciences and arts. Here
are the mastery creations OF painter and
| sculptor. many and wonderful objects OF
| utility from the mechanical world. cunning
| devices that lessen toll, beautify our land. and
| 10 h,su nt1A oh fI11 nd oil il,
such profusion and variety as to charm and
| interest in the highest degree. Minneapolis
| may fttingly wear its gala garb to-day, and
the smile of triumph upon your faces is fully
justified. | congratulate you in the selection
of gentlemen as managers of this enterprise
| who have proved themselves SO worthy OF
| the confidence repose0 in them. The ability,
| perseverance and energy necessary to collect,
and in manner so attractive, TINS vast ag,,
| gregatlon is characteristic of the people OF
| this city and of the Northwest. 1t is a tribute
| to the unceasng activity which seems to be
| part of the marvellous development OF the
| age IN which we live ana to the mighty
| forces which we seem to be constantly util-
| izing for our own advancement. This great
| enterprise is not of advantage to the citizens
| of Minneapolis and our commonwealth only,
but to the states reaching to the far West.
1t Serves to Attract
people hither from the outside world and call
attention to our skill and ability in produc-
ing articles of common requirement and in
terest. l am impressed, as 1 note the attrac-
tions on all sides, by the fact that so many OF
them are indicative of the practical age in
which we are taking part. All our thoughts
seem to be in the direction of that which is
useful in life, and which benefits us in our
everyday affairs. The golden and silver ages
of the worlds history have been dWelt upon
by historians. and now have but place in
literature, while we live in the iron age, the
age of the steam engine of the lucifer match,
the telephone and the sewing machine. al
though we are none the less appreciative of
beauty in form and color. nor less devoted to
study and development in the arts and sci
ences than were those who lived in an age
less practical. An era that produced a
| Stevenson, a Morse and an Edison-men who
reyolutionized the commerce and business
of the world--must always rank with the