St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-03-07
SHOOK MANY HANDS.


extended to him this afternoon. 1t
came from the worlds fair commits
sioners and directors, and was pre-
scented according to previous engage
ment in the cabinet room at l O'Clock.
President Cleveland received the party
i'm the cabinet room. lie was attired in
pepper and salt suit, with frock
coat, and appeared none the worse for
his exposure OF Saturday. Intro
ductlOns were made by ex-Sena-
tor Il. w. Palmer. chairman of
the Columbian exposition commits
sioners. After all the gentlemen
had been greeted, many of them were
old acquaintanceS Of the president. Mr..
Widcner addressed the president. who
Stood at the head of the table with his
hands on his hips, in all attitude of
earnest attention. Mr.. Widener, chair
man OF the committee on public cere-
monies, said:
''Mr. President: 1t gives me great
pleasure, as chairman of the committee
onpnblic ceremonies, to extend to you
aninyitatlOn TO be present at aud par
ticipate in the opening exercises OF the
Columbian worlds far and exposition,
on the hrst day of May next. The occa-
sion commentaries the great event in
TIC IlSlOiy vi w
nent, and tells of the glories of
the greatest country on that continent.
and of the world. 1t is entirely proper
that the opening of the exposition
should be formally proclaimed by the
president of the United States. The
committee desire me to express the hope
that Mrs. Cleveland, who will also re-
ceive an invitation, may accompany you
on that OCCASION"
President Cleveland's response was
entirely Informal, and consisted mainly
of questions as to the length of the pro-
gramme and the time it would be nee
essary for him to remain in Chicago to
perform what was expected of him.
IF | co." he said, lit Will be because
deem 1t a public duty which L ought to
discharge. At that time. as you gentle
men are doubtless aware, there will be
many matters of public Importance to
demand my presence here"
President Palmer supplemented Mr..
Widener's invitation. President Cleve-
land said he would consider the matter
and announce his decision in a day or
two. The committee and gentlemen
then shook hands with him and retired.
The invitation to the president is on
vellum. The first sheet contains the
invitation done in pen and ink, sur
mounted by a handsome design based
upon the figure of the flag, which reads
as follows:
10 the President of the United
States, Grover Cleveland, Washington,
ID. c.: The pleasure of your presence
is requested at the opening exercises of
the Columbian worlds exposition in the
city of Chicago OH the LIST day of May,
1898, at 10 O'Clock a. M"
On the second sheet are inscribed tn e
names of the committee on public cere-
monies. The two sheets are inclosed i'll
a handsome black morocco case twelve
by sixteen inches,-lined with white
silk. The committee will remain in
the city until the members of
the new cabinet are ..nducted into office
when invitations to accompany their
chief to Chicago will be formally eX-
tended to them. But there will be no
3 other white silk, velum and black
morocco invitations presented to any
one. Altogether. but 1900 invitations
to the opening will be issued.