Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-11-30

kpecialCorrespondefic e OF Gazette ana Journal |
DOVER, Nov 24.-The citizens of |
Delaware, last night, rendered splen-
did reception to Hon. George ", Massey, |
Worlds Fair Commissioner from this |
State, and testified in the. most con-
vincing manner their appreciation of the |
high honor he conferred upon his State |
and his fellow cititizens by his dis
tinguished services in behalf OF the
greatest Exposition ever witnessed in
this world.
II is fitting, in this connection, to re-
call the responsible position occupied
by Mr., Massey in the body'of commits
sioners who managed the great Fair,
He came from small State, but he
measured up to the largest Of the men
who represented larger and more i'm
portant States. His commanding ability
and his genius for executive manage
ment were early recognized by his col
leagues, and from the beginning Of the
deliberations of the National Commits
sion he was kept in the foremost rank.
AS the general body met only at
occasional intervals, the executive man
agement of affairs was vested in a
Council of Administration, composed of
Harlowe N. Higinbotham of Illinois,
Charles FL. Schwab of New York,
james W. st. Clair of West Virginia,
and Mr.. Massey. Mr.. HigiEbotham was
chairman. The Council of Administra-
ton had full control Of all the func-
tions vested in the National Commits
sioh, and it is fact known to all in any
way conveTsant with the condition of
affairs that Mr.. Massey was the head
and front of the Council of Adminisira-
ton. Upon him devolved the great
bulk of the labor connected with the
workings of the council, and all the
knotty questions arising from time to
time were referred to him for determi-
nation. For him the Fair was no holt
day, but months of earnest, continuous
labor, but the record he established was
one of untiring industry and signal
skill in keeping in smooth and constant
motion the intricate machinery upon
which the successful operation of the
great Exposition so largely depended.
But while his time was thus occupied
with the duties of his responsible posi-
tion, Mr.. Massey ever found opportunity
to look. after the interests of his State,
and it was through no fault Of his that
Delaware, as State, was so poorly rep
resented in the Exhibition buildings. He
had some of the choicest spaces in several
of the buildings reserved until the Very
last minute, for the agricultural and
other Delaware exhibits that were so
freely talked of, but which, through the
lack of proper management that pre-.
vailed at home, failed to materialize. He
secured the most ample railroad facili
ties, at unusually low rates, for the pur
pose of inducing large attendance
on Delaware Day, but the number
that awaited themselves of his adj
mirable arrangements was lamentably
small. He had in shape scheme fol
prompt and regular shipments of Della
aware peaches in order to have them or
exhibition daily, but failed to meet Will
sufficient encouragement to guarantees
the daily shipments. In fact, there
was nothing connected with genera
exhibit of Delaware products that dit
not meet with the hearty encourage
ment and cooperation of Mr.. Massey
only to fail through lamentable lacl
Of the proper spirit and effort by peopl
a home. The individual exhibitors, tn
Delaware Building, and the special ef
forts made for Delaware representa-
ton in the Women's Building alon
gave Delaware its measure of individu
atty at the Worlds Fair.
To the hundreds of Delawareans VIII
visited the Exposition, Mr.. Massey wa
always "at home.n He was busy ma
at all times, by reason of the volume c
work depending upon him, but he il
variably managed TO find time to Civ
friendly greeting to all Delawal
callers, and to extend to them ii
numerous courtesies that so MATERIAL
enhanced the pleasure of their visit
From first to last George V. Masse
was a conspicuous figure and an in
portant factor in the official manage
ment of the great Exposition. Il
acquired national reputation and fun
alike creditable to him and gratifying
every one to whom the honor and goC
name of Delaware is priced posse
sion. And so it was that his fellow
citizens from all parts of the State u
sembled at Dover, last night, to testi
their appreciation Of the splendid wo
he had performed, and tender him
hearty welcome back to Delaware.
LARGE AND REPRESENTATIVE.
The reception was one of the me
f1attering compliments ever paid to
citizen Of Delaware. twas attended
people from all parts of the State, al
was thoroughly representative. Repl
sentatives Hall, where it was held IL
been made bower of beauty by I
AduiCa Vi lllS lGCSpllOn COulUlllltt, ia
ferns, palms, and choice cut flowers |
ing the decorations. Ritchies orchest
of ten pieces, from Wilmington, fl
nished excellent music.
At 8.45 O'Clock, Mr.. Massey, acco
panied by Governor Reynoidsa and Jan
Pennewill, was escorted from the q
ernor's parlor to the hall by the co
mittee of reception. His appearar
was the signal for a round Of cord
applause. AS many as could follow
the party, until the little hall and
gallery were crowded to their great
capacity. Others stood outside in
corridor, while many, seeing the fulfil
of the attempt TO get in, remained o
side until the addresses were ended, &
the dense crowd began to resolve it,
into long line of friendly hand-shakt
GOVERNOR REYNOLDS ADDRESS.
After a selection by the orches
Governor Reynolds, from the Speak
desk, made the following address
welcome;
Lddiss and Gentlemen. The world Is
given 70 form and insincerity aud soc
seems 10 have grown so at fault in this
spect; that / feel embarrassed in attempt
10 give expression to that sincerity and
votion with which our hearts our filled
night. We have assembled for a nc
purpose-a purpose second only to tina
rendering thanks to Him who is the x
OF every good and perfect gift. We
assembled to welcome back to our m
and TO our affections great and good !
who has temporarily been gone Fl
among us. What nobler purpose can
M 40 nan lie