Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-25
A DAY AMID FLOWERS
The Beautiful Reception Which
Southern California Gives
TO THE PRESIDENT AND HIS PARTY
His Route Literally Paved With Finest
Floral offerings.
SANTA BARBARA ENDS THE DAYS TRIP

| SANTA BARBARA, CAL, April A.-The
| President and party were treated to a beauti-
full floral display this morning during two
hours drive through the principal streets of
Pasadena. They had fine escort, COM
| posed of local military and civic organiza-
| tions. The President and Mrs. Harrison and
| Mayor Lucken occupied a carriage decora-
| ted with acacia blossoms and drawn by four
horses wearing feathery plumes. The
| carriage which contained Secretary
Rusk aud Postmaster General Wana-
maker was ornamented with orange
| blossoms and red, white and yellow roses.
At point on the drive the procession
passed under large arch, composed princi-
pally of California lilies, and having base
of rare tropical plants. A large portrait of
the President was displayed at the key
stone. About $500 school children were
congregated about the arch, and they
showered the President and Mrs. Harrison
with such profusion of boquets that those
who followed passed over veritable bed of
flowers. Soon afterward the procession
passed through gate of flowers operated
by two little girls.
The Town Out for Holiday.
A chilly Scotch mist pervaded the atmos-
phere during the morning, but 1t was not
sufficient to dampen the enthusiasm of the
people, who cheered the President all along
the line. Business was generally sus-
pended, and all the inhabitants of the city
and surrounding country were on the
streets. The drive was concluded at the
railroad station, at where the party en-
barked for this city.
The Presidents train stopped for few
minutes at San Fernandino, where the
President was introduced to a crowd at the
station by William H. Hawks, formerly of
Indiana, and made a short speech. A beau
tiful arch of evergreens had been erected
over the railroad track in his honor, and the
ladies loaded his car with Spanish
bayonets and other flowers. The next
stopping place was at Santa Paula. where the
President was cordially received. Here
was displayed the largest solid floral piece
the party has seen since it left Washington.
1t was in the form of a signboard IL ieet
long and feet wide, and was made entirely
of calla lilies Across its face was the
word welcome" in large letters OF red
geraniums. The committee of citizens
boarded the train and presented the Presi-
dent with five foot model of an oil derrick
made of choice flowers. A speech was de-
manded, and the President addressed the
crowd as follows:
He Meets Hoosiers Everywhere.
MY FRIENDs-I cannot feel myself stranger
in this State. so dstont from home. when am
greeted. by some familiar face from Indiana
at almost every station. Your felloH-citizen
who has spoken in your behalf was an old time
I hQ ic hal in fha
same esteem In which he was held by the people
among whom he spent his early years as boy
and man. TCries of He isl That you should
have gone to the pains to make such magnif-
cent decorations, and to come out in such large
numbers for this momentary greeting, very
deeply touches nv heart. have never seen in
any State of the Union what seems to me to be
amore happy and contented people than
have seen thi. morning. Your soil and sup are
genial. healthful and productive. and have no
doubt that these genial and kindly influences
are manifested in the homes that repre-
sented here, and that there is sunshine in the
household as well as in the fields; that there is
contentment and love and sweetness in these
homes as well as in these gardens that
are adorned with flowers. We have
literally driven for miles over flow
priceless, and these favors have been accom-
panied with manifestations of friendliness, for
which l am very grateful. and everywhere
than sunshine, greater glory than flowers, this
flag of our country. [Applause.1 Everywhere
l have been greeted by some of these COM
rades, veterans of the late war, whose pres
ence among you should be the inspiration to
increase patriotism and loyalty. bid them
atfectionate greeting, and am sorry cannot
tarry with them longer. [Cheers.]
Receptions at Other Points.
A short stop was made at Santa Buena
Ventura, where the President was received
by the local militia and the G. A. r. The
throng of people passed up to the rear of
the platform to grasp his hand, and COM
mittee of ladies presented him with several
baskets Of cut flowers and Japanese plums.
Mrs. Harrison was here presented by the
children with a large bouquet of orange
blossoms. The President was introduced
by e1-Congressman Van Dever, and made
few remarks expressive OF his qualification
at their cordial greeting.
The train WAS soon again speeding on its
way to Santa Barbara, the objective point
of the days journey, where the principal
part of the afternoon and evening was
spent, and where the enthusiasm and floral
displays exceeded, if possible. anything
heretofore experienced.