The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-06
MEDICINE MEN MEET.
PRESIDENT CLETELAND MAKES A
BRIEF SPEECH or WELCOME.
Nearly One Thousand Delegates in Atten-
dance Upon the Pan-Amerioan Con-
gress In Washington.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Sept. 5.-The
President of the United States gave n
graceful welcome TO the Pan-American
Cor gress. whose four days session com
menced In the National Capital to-day,
ard the business Of the gathering was err
tered upon under most favorable condl-
tions of weather. attendance and public
interest. The barquette bf Abaughs
was we'll filled and the galleries also had
an attentive audience, including many
ladies. At 10 A. m, when DR. VIM. Pepper.
OF Philadelphia, took the chair, the band
of the Third artillery occupied the usual
place of stage orchestra and eniivened
preliminary proceedings with familiar
airs. Many OF the more prominent dele
gates took seats on the stage, but others
occupied the body Of the theatre. There
were probably between 500 and 1000 doc
tors I'm attendance.
Shortly after 10 A. NJ, President Cleve-
land passed from behind the scenes, In
front OF the stage, escorted by Or. Pep
per. and was greeted with hearty ap-
plause. He wore. as usual, black
Prince Albert coat, highly buttoned over
his figure displaying no undue tendency
TO corpulence. The President walked with
a firm step. His face wore n pleasant
smile and, when he subsequently spoke,
his voice was even clearer and more res
onant than when he addressed the as
sembed thousands from the Eastern
Pori leo Of the Capitol, IN the memorable
snow storm OF the 4th of March. last.
Mr. Clevelands personal appearance was
observed with undisguised interest, many
OF the foreign delegates, In the body or
the theatre. standing up to get good
look at him The band as usual, played
Hall to the Chief until the President
took his seat. Then, Dr. Pepper called on
Bishop Paret Of Maryland, to invoke the
blessing of Almighty God upon the con-
ference.
Bishop Paret, wearing his episcopal
robes, came forward and the audience
reverently arose Opening his Invocation
with the Lcrd's prayer. he briefly implored
the Divine bl-gsirg upon every effort for
advancement Of the sound medical learn
ing ard u*efU'lness, and closed with
tenedicton.
Dr. Pepper then said 1T is In accor-
dance with the deep interest taken by
the Government OF the United States In
the organization and success Of this
congress that our honored President has
kir dy come this morning in exercise Of
his function 10 open formally the fret
Pan-Amerlcan medical congress. l have
the great honor of presenting President
Cleveland"
At once stepping forward and without
waiting for the applause which greeted
him TO subCue, the President, speaking
without manuscript or notes, said:
"The part assigned me on this occasion
admits Of few words. II, however affords
me opportunity to say how pleased ! am
to be I'm any way related to an assem-
blage such as this, called together IN
furtherance OF the highest and nObiest
purposes and desires. / hope l may also
be permitted 10 add that the protection
OF public health add prevention Of cOnta-
gious diseases are objects properly
brought under consideration at the Capital
Of the nation which appreciates fully
the serious importance Of everything which
aids I'm making intercourse between civil
tied countries and commerce between
them safe and easy. (Applause). II IS
also fitting that those who devote them
selves to saving human life and the ale
Walton of human suffering should consider
modes Of reaching these benefcent ends
ct the seat of government whose greatest
regard is the welfare and happiness Of
the individual citizen. (Applause). IL
only remains for me TO declare this Con-
eress of Pan-Amencan medical society
open for the transaction Of business which
has called it together"
President Cleveland then resumed HIS
seat amidst applause.