Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-10-04
IRISH FLAG CAME DOWN.
Sensational Incident of the Days FeStg-
ties at the Columbian Exposition.


ties at the Columbian Exposition.
WORLDS FAIR GROUNDS, CHICAGO, ILL.,,
Sept. 30.-This was Irish day at the
Worlds Fair The weather started in
horribly this morning, and along abut
midday there was no prospect of
clearance. 4 more disagreeable day for
a celebration could not be imagined.
The sky was heavy, there was driz-
ling rain, the air was cold and the ground
was sticky and flooded It must have
had discouraging effect on the great
croud that were expected here for Irish
day. But the white city was by no
means deserted and the gaities went on.
Before the festivities were fairly under
way there was an exciting incident on
the grounds, and one that threatened
for few minutes to cause serious
trouble This was the hauling down
down from the tall staff Of the electric
ity building of the Irish flag.
While the rain was pouring down
this morning, James Hunt, one of Col.
Millet's men, hauled down the Irish
flag off one Of the tiagstafs on the cleo
lricity building, where the colOrs of all
nations are grouped. This was the Sc
queI to difference of opinion on the
part of Mr. Millet and Chief Barrett, of
the department. of electricity, regard
ing the propriety OF hosting the
green flag of Ireland on their
great day at the fair. Chief Barrett,
impressed with the spirit of patriotism,
ordered the flag strung upon the elec-
trical building. Mr.. Millet has charge
of the colors at the exposition. He WAS
standing in his office when the flag OF
Erin was run up and he ordered James
Hunt one of his subordinates, to pull 1T
down. Mr.. Hunt was quick to obey
orders, and the flag of Ire
land was Immediately hauled down.
Ween Mr.. Hunt left, Chief Barrett's
men again ran up the colors. Then
Chief Millet and three Of his men ran
to the electricity building and Hunt cut
the halyards and the flag fell limp and
wet at the feet of the crowd which had
gathered about the building regardless
of the rain. A company Of guards, fear
ing trouble, were dispatched to the
scene. Chief Barrett withdrew his men
until President Higinbotham should ar
rive and issue specific orders regarding
the affair. Mr.. MilIet explained
that no flags were run up
at the exposition whose nation
was not recognized as a nation. He
said that it would be fully as appropri-
ate to haunt an Anarchist flag as that Of
Ireland. THE Irish flag had been used
for decorative purposes" said Mr.. Mil
let, 'but it has never been hoisted on
any of the fagstafs. This department
will not put up a flag unless it is or
dered to do by the exposition officials"
Chief Barrett was a very indignant
man. 81 ordered my man to run up
the flag" said he, Sin honor of Irish
day. We have SO many Irish-Ameri-
can citizens here | thought it was moth
ing more than right and courteous that
this recognition of their colors be given
them"
Nothing could be done for the restora-
ton of the flag, as Director general
Davis and President Higinbotham are
Doth absent and Mr.. Millet is in SUI
preme control of the color department.
The question of flying the Irish flag on
Ireland's day was considered recently
by the council of administration. Di-
rector-General Davis asked the council
to be allowed to run up the flag to-day,
pursuant to a request of the local COM
mittee having the festivities in charge.
The council left it to the discre-
ton of the director-general who
discussed the matter with Mr.. Millet
and they decided adversely on the re-
quest. 1t was then decided, Mr.. Millet
says, that it would be inadvisable to vio-
late q standing rule to the effect that the
colors of any nation should not be run
up unless that nation was recognized as
nation by the Exposition. Hungary and
Poland and other countries had asked
that their provinces be honored by run
ming up their national emblems and this
favor had been emphatically denied, as
it was thought it would be discourteous,
if not an actual affront, to the countries
by whom they are ruled. Mr.. Millet
insists that Great Britain would regard
the recognition of the Irish flag as a
discourtesy.