Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-21
ONE OF THE PEOPLE.
A Great Public Reception
rendered the President.
GREETED BY THOUSANDS.
The Chief Magistrate Shakes Hands
With the Multitude.
A VISIT TO HOMESTEAD MILLS,
Mr.. Harrison Sees a Fifteen-TOn IngOt
Rolled Into Plates
4 VISIT TO HOMESTEAD MILLS.
STREET SCENES AND SOME INCIDENTS


if the people make a pump-handle of his
arm, force a smile from his face, whether he
feels like it or not, or with lusty cheers from
the thousand throats command recognition
with q doff of the hat, where is the man who
will object? The people are always right,
and they have the proper idea. But is there
President who will refuse to grant these
courtesies? From the immortal George down
along the illustrious line of the nation 'srulers
to the present Ben, the Chief Magistrates
have been gracious men and good fellows.
Even the stern old Andrew jackson, with
all his dignity, loved to stand in carriage
and bare his head in the presence of his fel-
lows. And President Harrison was no ex-
ception to the rule yesterday.
CLAIMED BY THE PEOPLE.
He visited Pittsburg as the guest of Mr.
Carnegie, to assist at the grand opening of
the Allegheny Free Library, but the people
claimed him and wanted to see him. Their
request was granted BY public reception at
the Court House in the afternoon.
The halls of the majestic temple of Justice
were beautifully decorated with plants and
flowers The lofty palm spread out its
leaves over the delicate rose like a mother
was pleased with the decorations, and COM
mented on the good taste Of the florists. On
the first platform of the heavy stone stair
way in the lobby of the Court House the
public reception was given, and on the land
ing of the floor above tropical plants with
bright green leaves were arranged along the
banister. Below under this canopy of
green the President stood and received the
people.
The time for the reception had been fixed
at o'clock, but Mr.. Harrison did not ap-
pear until sometime after. A great crowd had
gathered before the Court House. filling up
Grant street and Fifth avenue Captain Dan
Silvis, with squads of gallant coppers, kept
the crowds back and maintained order. The
people pressed toward the door the right,
and those in great hurry to get in stood
chatting in the street.
CAN'T BE KEPT AWAY.
The ubiquitous newsboy was there, of course.
What event, in short could transpire without
his presence? With the agility of a monkey
he was one minute at the apex of telegraph
pole and in the next was in the street smuggling
Slobs or Jimmy the Tough. But the crowds
like the newsies. and the newsies like the
crowds, ana with this mutualjty of feeling
existing everything couldn't be otherwise than
lovely.
It was cold day. This remark will sound
just little Trite to those who endured the
wintry blasts but the winds Whistled around
the corners of the gray grants pile, swept the
streets with freezing chill and made the crowd
shiver. School girls with red cheeks and cold
hands, clinging to their books, nestled in little
bevies behind stalwart men, and tried to keep
warm. The men stamped their feet and kicked
their toes against the stones impatiently to
keep up the circulation, wondering when the
President would come. A long line had been
formed to the right of the Court House and
the display of pluck shown by the people in
maintaining their places was worthy OF higher
things, if properly applied,
ADVENT OF THE PRESIDENT.
Finally the Chief Magistrate came, drawn in
3 carriage up Fifth avenue, with Inspector
McAleese and big Roger O'Mara leading the
way. In the carriage with Mr.. Harrison were
Governor Beaver and Congressmea Bayne and
DalzelL Another carriage followed with Mr.
Enoch Pratt, the Baltimore philanthropist
and several other gentlemen. Mr.. Carnegie
was not there. By this time the people were
thoroughly chilled, and their reception to the
President was not warm as it would have
been under more favorable conditions. There
was some hand-clapDing and few cheers, but
there wasn't that Wild spontaneous out
break that one would expect. Cleve-
land was most handsomely received when
he passed through Pittsburg, but then
the weather was warm and the beautiful young
bride was a leading attraction. But President
Harrison didn't come to Pittsburg to show
himself and create street applause. When he
wants to do that he will be shrewd enough to
secure the aid of the summers heat to help
him.
The Presidential party entered the Court
House from a rear door, and we're soon in the
places assigned them on the reception platform.
The President acted as If he wished the ordeal
were over, and even the people who were most
anxious to shake his hand pitied him. He had
spent the morning in the mills at Homestead
but when he returned he ate a simple lunch
and then slept for a while as a fitting prepare.
tiOn for the afternoon trial
OTHER DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
Governor Beaver and Colonel Bayne stood on
the right of the President and Congressman
DalEell, Sheriff McCandless and the County
Commissioners occupied places on his left. The
handshaking process soon began, and for
awhile Congressman Dalzen kept pace with the
President. but he soon got tired and stood back.
Colonel Bayne, as the other end man, seemed
to enjoy the fun, and he met most people with
hearty grasp Of the hand. And besides the
children that were carried In their
papas' arms. Governor Beaver also had
his hands full, and the people turned
from the President, they didn't forget the one
legged soldier.
Mr.. Harrison shakes hands with good grin.
and an easy, quick motion of the arm He
few words He didn't kiss any Of the babies
or children. though he had plenty of oppor-
tnnIties Evidently the President is determined
to keep all his sweetness for Baby Mckee
Sometimes a visitor would stop and talk bnt
with skilful motion of the arm Mr. Harrison
would hurry him along and turn to the next one
TWO THOUSAND HANDsHAKEs.
The people fIeu past him at a rapid gait as
many as 60 per minute, by actual count, and
during the 81 minutes that the reception con-
tnued the President shook hands with about
1000 people. The doors were closed against the
other s 0O0 in the streets, and they went away
disappointed.
Before the reception the President was taken
into the County Commissioners room where
he was introduced to all the Judges except
Stowe and Hawkins, who were not present
When the reception was over the President
was driven back TO the Duquesne Club house
He received an ovation all along the line and
The cheers from the people were strong and
pleasant.
Ine police regulations at the Court House
were most perfect. About O'Clock the mass
i've building Nas closed, and Captain Silvis
placed his men where they would do the most
good. Inside long lines of coppers kept the
crowds moving, and Captain Dan with his
brawny form, good humor and commanding
voice handled them well.
THE CROWD VERY DENSE.
The reporters had prominent
place assigned them where they
could see the guests and the people.
The crowd was so dense at times that a number
of women tainted from the pressure; but they
soon recovered. A reporter saw several
women in the Recorders Office who had been
overcome.
President Harrison wore a frock coat of
black. His dress was plain and in good keep
ing He has short, stOcky form, on which is
mounted large head with high. heavy 'front.'
and well covered with gray hair He i'm
presses one az a man who can think for him.
self, and his popularity may yet be great before
his term expires.
unU No WAC FvnEpmtIEEn