The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-21
OPENING OF ST. CLAIR TUNNEL.
Celebration Of the Great Achievement
Dinner and Speeches by Notables.


PoRr HURON, Mich, Sept. l9.-All trains
arriving at Port Huron and Sarnia to-
day have distinguished guests, who come
to take the first official ride through
the great tunnel. At Point Edward a
special train with four ordinary day coaches
was drawn up In front of the station, and at
1880 the inaugural train started. 1t pulled di-
rectly to the Sarnia depot, where a number of
invited guests and citizens of Sarnia were taken
aboard. Then the train steamed out to the edge
of town TO reach the approach to the tunnel
Here q triumphal arch was erected, and Mayor
Watson and the officials of Sarnia met the presi-
dent of the Grand Trunk railway, the msyor
reading address. President Tyler made
brief speech of acceptance for
the company, and with the Sarnia Off
Gals boarded the train, and proceeded on the
trip through the tunnel When they arrived
on the other side, they passed through another
triumphal arch, where Mayor McIwaine ald
the Port Huron city officials were waiting on
the platform to receive them. A large as
scmblage of citizens were also present AS sooa
as the railway officials stepped from the cars
the mayor read an address. Al the conclusion
of the reading, the mayor presented Sir Henry
Tyler with an engros.ed copy OF the address,
and Sir Henry responded with a neat speech of
thanks The people cheered and waved their
handkerchiefs, and the train pulled out to the
Chicago Grand Trunk passenge: station
where all got of and embarked on the steamer
Omar ID. Conger. for Sarna
The guests arrived at the freight sheds, which
had been turned into banquet halls, shortly be.
fore O'Clock. The exterior was almost covered
with green fir boughs and the interior festooued
with flags and bunting On the cas-. side were
three long tables running with the building,
the guests facing the river. AT the other side
were thirteen short tables set crosswise. At the
center OF the middle long table sat Sir Henry
Tyler, to his right was ST. John Ross, CON-
IN, obi Af NS to-, -
lett sat Governor Winans. The others on the
left were: senator Smith, one of the
directors of the Grand Trunk; United
States Consul General Knapp, OF Mon
treal; ID. Mcintyre, Congressman J. Logan,
Chapman; Senator Boulton, of Ottawa; Adju-
tant-General Farrer, Hon. Mr.. Ross, of the
Ontario cabinet; ]. Lastor, NJ P. for Hampton
county. and Senator Vidal, of sarnia To the
right after passing Sir John Ross, were: SIR
Gzowskl; l. Argent, general manager of the
Grand Trunk road; Richard Harcourt, OF the
Ontario cabinet; Ersstus Wiman; John Bell,
counsel for Grand Trunk road; Hon. Mr.. Glib
son, of the Ontario cabinet; George NJ. Pullman,
Charles Mackenzie, VI. p, and at the end Jo-
seph Hobson. who built the tunnel.
The post prandial work began with the toast
TO "The Queen" offered by Sir Henry Tyler
He spoke as follows:
/ arise, gentlemen, to propose to YOU the
health Of her majesty, Queen Victoria queen OF
the United Kingdom. empress OF India and SOW
erelgn oil the British empire. IL is matter of
common knowledge that her majesty has
reigned htty-four years-for longer time than
any previous sovereign OF England-but there
are considerations connected with her reign far
| more important and OF much higher interest
than the mere length OF days. During the life
time of her majesty there have occurred events
which have transformed the face OF the earth
IL is during the lifetime of her majesty that rail-
roads have for the first time been constructed
ocean steamships have been employed, tele-
graphic communication by land and LEA been
brought into use, ana the most remarkable dis
coveries been made in chemistry, astronomy and
other sciences In drinking then heartily TO the
health OF her majesty, We may prohtabiy remem-
Der how much has occurred i'll her lifetime AMI
We should now be grateful that, while she hss
reigued worthily, she has gained our Affection
by the example she has set as wife, as mother
as widow and as queen.
The queens health was solemnly drank. and
Sir Henry again came in with a few words for
the president of the United states. Parts OF his
speech were as follows:
l am osfdent you viii receive the next toast
with equal heaTtiucss: "Iils ExceIieucy the
President of the United States; elected repra-
sentative OF 65,0oo.000 people" The president
occupies, during his term OF Office, UNIQUE
position amongst the nat .ons He p9csides
over country containing within Itself the y,rl-
duets OF al Climes, from Alaska ice 10 Grange
groves OF Florida 1t viii be bad time for crest
Britain when the United states, ceasing to levy
protective duties. completes with Us mora
actively IN the markets OF the worlI.
Coasul-General Knapp responded to this
toast.
The remain der of the tossts were:
THE Governor General OF Canada, =" espouded
to oy Sir John Ross and Sir Cas,nir Gzowskl.
The Governor of the state of Michigan" re-
sIondeI 10 by Governor Minsns
The Success OF the Grant Trunk and ST.
CIair Tunnel Companies aud Sir Heary Tyler"
responded to by sir Henry Tyler.
The Engineer OF the Tunnel" responded TO
by Joseph HohSon.
" Trade and Commerce" responded to by wv.
Palmer and Erastus Mimau.
"Tae Railway President OF the Continent"
AMI "The Press"
Ersstus "iman, in responding 10 the toast,
TRADE and Commerce" said
In this great tunnel, which today Is opened
Tor The nrst time Tor traffic, is found II ftuug
complement OF the manifest achievements OF
me Canadian railway systems: but while Brit
lsA capital within British territory has done so
much toward the development OF the most i'm
poFiant portion of the United States, how
strange is Il that relative progress has not been
made within Canada ITSELF X is an Interesting
problem u solve 70 secoant for this Geiardauon