The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-05-05
THE FAIR is OPEN.
Three Hundred Thousand People Fill
Jackson Park-A Spectacle Never
Before Witnessed.
President Cleveland Performs His
Part and Returns to the Capital
Marvel on Marvel.

CHICAGO, May The multitudes
which thronged the Worlds Fair
grounds today were greater in numbers
than had been anticipated, considering
the inauspicious weather. Probably
100000 people were assembled when at
IL o'clock the advance guard of the
cortege signalled the approach of Presi-
dent Cleveland and the digaitsries OF the
day to the Worlds Fair grounds. After
entering the grounds the journey to the
Administration building was made with
all possible dispatch, the presidential
party not even stopping to acknowledge
any Of the popular ovations extended TO
the chief executive. OF course the
cheering was tremendous when Presi
dent Cleveland faced the great multitude
assembled. the largest audience ever
faced by an American citizen.
Following the president and the di-
rector general were the members of the
cabinet, and under the escort of the
worlds fair officials the Duke de Vera
qua and his family, members of the dip
lomatic corps, members of congress,
senators, and other prominent dignita-
ries. who had seats on the grand stand.
The 1000 Columbian guards who sur
rounded the Administration building
made futile efforts to keep back the
crowd, but they were swept forward by
the resistless wave and damned against
the railing until they became an I'M
recognizable part Of that incoherent,
struggling, but g~ood-natured and cheer
ing mass of humanity.
At l1:3O the programme opened with
Il blast from The orchestra, which rem
dered the martial air of the Columbian
March, by John X. Paine. The music
lasted for fifteen minutes and at its con-
clusion Director General Davis stepped
to the front of the platform, waved his
hand supplicatingly two or three times
to the vast audience, and then announced
in a tone which was lost in the hum of
voices that the Rev. w. \. Milburn
would pronounce the invocation. The
blind chaplain of the United States house
of representatives stepped forward, aided
by a woman's hand, his adopted daugh-
ter, Miss Gemley, and facing the multi
ude, which he could not see. but whose
presence he felt by the very animation
that permeated the atmosphere. After
a brief pause, when the murmer of voices
had ceased, the blind chaplain uttered
prayer. The Prophecy" an ode written
by w. a. Crotfut in honor Of the expo
sition was nex on the program. The
Overture of Rienzi, by Wagner, was next
rendered by the orchestra, and then
Director General Davis, on behalf Of the
exposition. delivered a formal address.
As the director-general stepped back the
president of the United States stepped
forward and the climax of the ovations
OF the day was reached. For minutes
the crowd cheered over and over again,
and men 800 feet away tossed their hats
in the air, waived their umbrellas and
otherwise disported themselves in frantic
exhibitions of their enthusiasm. The
president bowed once or twice and then
spoke briefly. At the conclusion of his
address the president touched al cleo
trio button and the Worlds Columbian
Exposition OF 1893 was ushered into
official existence. Huge fountains 300
feet away from the grand stand
threw volumes of water 20 feet
into the air. and the roar
ing Of engines in Machinery hall
a quarter Of a mile away told the multi
tude that the electric spark had done its
duty. As soon as the ceremonies at
tendant upon the formal opening of the
exposition were over President Cleve-
land, Gov, A.ltgeld. Mayor Harrison, the
Duke IF Neragua and other notables
were conducted to the dining hall on the
third floor of the Administration build
ing, where there were entertained at din
ner by the world g fair officials. When
dinner was over the party, with Presi-
dent Cleveland and Director General
Davis in the lead, vas conducted from
the Administration building and driven
around the grounds. At the Manu-
factories building, which was the first
place reached, the presidential party
alighted at the main entrance and
walked from one end of the monstrous
editice to the other. From here they
drove to the north end OF the grounds
among state buildings and back along
the main drive past the Horticultural
building to the south end of the grounds.
After having thoroughly inspected the
white city, President Cleveland and his
party were driven to Grand Crossing
where they tool their train for Wash
inCtOn,