Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-08
ONE HUNDRED YEARS.
AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC.

President Harrison Makes the Opening
Address This Afternoon.
The first session was opened this afternoon
| shortly after $50. There was slight misunder-
standing about the time, Is the tickets announced
the hour Is 2 o'clock. The program placed
the time half hour later. Those who followed
the authority Of the tickets reached there carly
! in some cases before 2 O'Clock. From that
time on the ushers were employed in seat
ing the people who presented tickets
for admission. Coupons were attached TO each
ticket containing the number of q seat, so that
each ticket holder had q seat Among the
early arrivals was Mr.. Bell, the VEN
cradle uncle of the inventor, Alexander
Graham Bell. With several ladies' hs
occupied one of the upper boxes. Mr..
Hubbard joined the party later on. The next
box held party of friends Of Mr.. II. A. Sey-
mour Of this city. The body Of the
house was filled and large number
we, we're seated in tho gallery A noticeable
OF the men, although q number OF ladies
showed their interest in the occasion
by their presence. In the audience were noted
number OF men whose names are known
because OF their connection with useful in
vention.
1t was q representative audience Of men who
have in many instances devoted life time to
the development OF inventions, or whose bust
ness is the manufacture of invented articles.
THE Presidents ARRIVAL.
The President arrived in the theater at
about 2:25 and was escorted upon the stage by
Hon. Jno. Lynch, the chairman of the execu-
and Mr.. Halford.
The appearance Of the distinguished party
was greeted with applause. Among those
Postmaster General Wanamaker. Commissioner
Mitchell. Senator Daniel, Assistant Secretary
Bussey, the speakers and a number Of other
distinguished men. As soon as the President
had taken his seat the orchestra began a march,
while the house slowly filled with late Corners.
Upon the conclusion of the overture, MIR.
Lynch, the chairman of the executive commit
tee, announced the officers of the centennial
and then introduced the President as chair
man.
PRESIDENT HARRIsoN's REMARKS.
He said that his connectio with the meeting
must be brief and might seem formal as other
engagements would prevent his enjoy
ment Of listening to the speeches to
follow. He could only by his
presence at the opening express his apprecia-
ton OF the importance Of the gathering, and he
expressed hope for the increased progress Of
invention.
The ownership in clumsy device fashioned
by savage hands from wood or stone was essen
TALLY property, but the growth of civilization
secured to more refined devices quite as full an
ownership.
The organization Of the patent system signi-
fies very largely the symbol of the advance OF
the country in prosperity and civilization.
Nothing more stimulates effort than securing
the results OF effort.
The President then introduced Rev. Dr. Sun
deriand, who invoked Divine blessing on the
assemblage.
Upon the conclusion of Dr. Sunderland's
the President excused himself from
further attendance and introduced
Secretary Noble, the first vice president OF the
assemblage, who thenceforth presided. Com
missioner Mitchell arose at the reading desk as
soon as introduced by Secretary Noble and
spoke on the subject Of "The Birth and Growth
Of the American Patent System"