The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-06
AMERICAN DOCTORS IN SESSION
The President Open the PAM
American Medical Congress.
The Society Convened in Washington Yes
tefday and Bids Fair to be Great
succesn-Tho Opening Wac Very Bril-
liant and Impressive-Many PROMPT
nent Delegates In Attendance Upon
the Exercise.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5.-Ths President
OF the United States gave graceful
welcome to the Pan. American Congress-.
whose four days session commenced
this morning in the national capital.
The business Of the gathering was en-
tered upon under the most fayorable
conditions of weather, and the attend
ance and public interest was all that
could be reasonably desired. The ses-
sions will be held in Albaugh's Opera
House.
The opening session included many
ladies', and at 10 q. M, when William
Pepper, OF Philadelphia, took the chair,
and the band OF the Third United States
artillery began to discourse music the
scene was brilliant and impressiye.
Many OF the most prominent delegates
were on the stage, tho others occupying
the body Of the theater.
shortly after 10 q. m.r President
Cleveland passed from behind the
scenes to the front Of the stage, escorted
by DR.. Pepper, and was crested with
hearty applause. He wore, as usual. a
black Prince Albert coat, tightly but
toned over his figure, displaying no
undue tendency to corpulency
President Cleveland walked with q
firm step. His face wore pleasant
smile, and when he subsequently spoke
MS voice was clearer and more resonant
than when he addressed the assemb led
thousands from the eastern portico of
the Capitol in tho remarkable snow
storm on the 4th of last March. The
Presidents personal appearance was an
object OF undisguised interest, many of
the foreign delegates standing up to get
agood look at him.
The band, al Is usual on such occa-
sions, played Hail to the Che f,' till he
was seated, whereupon President Pepper
called upon Bishop Paret, clad in Epis-
copal robes, who invoked the Divine
blessing. After which DR.. Pepper said:
ut is in accordance with the deep in
terest taken by the Government of the
United States in tho organization and
success OF this congress that oar honored
resident has kindly come this morning
In the exercise of his function to for
mally open the first Pan-American
Medical Congress. L have the great
honor OF presenting President Cleye-
land"
The President promptly stepped for.
ward and said: THE part assigned me on
this occasion admits of few words. It.,
however, affords me the opportunity to
say how pleased am to ne in any way re-
lated to an assemblage such as this,
called together in the furtherance Of the
highest and noblesr of purposes and de-
sires. hope may also be permitted
to add that protection of the public
health, and the prevention of contage-
GUS diseases are objects properly brought
under consideration ut the national
capital, which appreciates fully the
serious Importance of everything which
aids in making intercourse between
civilized nations and commerce safe and
easy. 1t is also fitting that those who
devote themselves to the saving of
human life, and alleviating human suf-
fering, should consider the modes of
reaching these beneficial ends at the
seat OF government, whose greatest re-
gard is the welfare and happiness of the
individual citizen. 1t only remains for
me to declare this Congress OF the PAN
American Medical Society open for the
transaction of the business which has
called 1t together"
The President then resumed his seat
amid applause, which frequently inter-
rupted his remarks.