The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-09-04
The LAB0RERS' GREAT DAY.
Monster Celebrations Were Held
Throughout the Country.
How the Day Was Observed In Washing-
tOn-The Goddess OF Liberty Drowned
With Wreath-Daring Feat of Two
Riggers-Cele brstion Elsewhere-En.S
joyable Day In Roanoke.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3.-The first cell
ebration OF Labor Day" as national
holiday was 6ttingly observed in the
national Capitol, also for the first time
in their history all the local labor or-t
CARNATIONS united for the common pur-
pose without squsbbles or jealousies and
did honor to the occasion. This was
only be6t,ing inasmuch as Washing-
ton organizations were instrumental in
establishing the holiday as national
institution.
The local labor organizations paraded
to-day in four great divisions. each
averaging about g 900 men in line. They
assembled in the vicinity of the city
hall, and began moving shortly after 10
a. m. Nearly every organization was
headed by its own band and the din of
the conflicting strains Of music was
deafening.
Weather conditions were most favor.
able. The haze which softened the
suns rays was welcome in itself, though
its presence was painfully suggestive Of
the calamitous fires devastating the
Northwest. In the line Of procession
were numerous floats representing the
various industrial process of the labor
organizations in the different stages OF
progress.
The most novel feature of the day oc.
CURED at the top OF the Capitol build
ing. The chief participants were Albert
Ports and James Grace. riggers, en-
ploYed by the architect OF the Capitol.
Last week Ports distinguished himself
by climb bling up the gigantic figure OF
the Goddess OF Liberty, surrounding
the dome, and placing there circle of
electric lights, which were used for
illuminating the dome during the en-
campment of the Knights of Pythias.
1t was the first time a man had stood
there since tho Goddess was put in posi-
ton.
This morning Ports started in to re-
move the light and connecting wires
with the assistance of Grace. They
mounted the Goddess by means OF q
ladder held by Capitol employees from
the topmost window OF the dome. 1t
was O'Clock when they began and the
risky work was completed three hours
later. BY that time big crowd had
collected in the Capitol grounds watch
ing the two riggers, who looked like
flies crawling about the great bronze
figure. AT $50 Grace sat astride the
broad shoulders OF the Goddess,and Wild
the help Of Ports placed a gigantic
wreath on her brow. The wreath WAS
nearly four feet in diameter and was
composed OF palm leaves, asparagus,
roses and carnations.
Then Grace read an invocation to
woman-Mrs. Louise Bailey. The
people, nearly 500 feet below, could not
hear him, Of course, but they under
stood what he was doing. They saw
him fold the manuscript, and then, to
the horror of many, Ports began climb.
ing to the top Of Liberty's sap. When
he reached the pinnacle he hesitated
moment. and then slowly and carefully
raised himself TO an erect position. For
a moment he stood there in the pres
ence Of the crowd below, with Grace
still astride OF Liberty's neck. Ports
made the descent as slowly and care
fully as he had made the ascent, and
both he and Grace reached the landing
in safety Tho wreath was allowed to
remain about the brow OF the goddess
until just before 10 o'clock, when Ports
and Grace repeated their dangerous
journey and removed it.
Another quito notable feature of the
day was the first production OF Innes'
new cantata, WAR and Peace" musical
production, at the National Baseball
Park in the hearing OF an appreciative
audience OF nearly 10000 persons. The
catchy use made OF the war songs,
North and South, and the realistic
efforts OF artillery and military moves
ments under the direction OF Capt, Chas.
Domer, who commands the crack prize
drill company of the country, supple
mented by lines great band ana drum
corps, made the presentation marked
success.
The Day In New York.
New YORK, Sept. 3.-New York's
great army OF ,aborers marched
triumphantly through our city streets
to-day. The workingmen were out in
full force. Every preparation had boon
made to make to-day's celebration one OF
the largest and finest there has ever
been in this city. The central labor