Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-27

tiOn OF Main street This was Major KAN
dolphs decision, as presented in a letter
from him to tho meeting OF the Cham
Der OF Commerce yesterday. this body
having been called 10 take some action
in the matter.
The Chamber met at o'clock. A copy
OF the petition requesting the president
10 call this meeting having been sent 10
Major y. v Randolph. chief OF staff, the
following reply was received from him:
Richmond Va. june %. SO
Messrs. A. Saks * CO., The Boston,
O. II; Berry q Co.. and others:
Gentlemen Your communication, ad-
dressed 10 Mr.. Halves as president OF the
Chamber Of Commerce, requesting that
the lno Of march for July 20 be changed
30 as to cover Main street from IhlI-
teenth 10 Seventh, was duly received
The line OF march was carefully consul
cred by the committee I'm charge UelCre
publication. and in view of numerous let
ters received from old veterans protesting
against the long marches they have here
tOfOrc had. was made as short as pOs1hle,
ana TO keep the entire procession on top
OF the Lii
1t may not be known 20 many Of you
gentlemen that the average re OF these
men is Is years-many are past 20 and ~
besides, We viii probably nave large
number of onc-legged men In tnis process
sion. These are some OF the req 1ls that
induced the committee 10 adopt the lire Oh
march as published. ana prevents tncn
from acceding TO your wishes ~ make any
alteration in the same.
/ find In reading over tae list of signcrs
that there are ffty-three firms WHO fLed
this petition. but out Of this entire num-
Der | can find but four gentlemen Who eN-
pect to march that day. so your petition
IS for the benefit OF Tie rcmainder. Who
desire cool and shady position TO We"
tho parade.
In Richmond for three days ids this re-
union viii last that long that VIII not
visit Main street and view the handsome
decorations that have 5c-n pa. ~ on TINS
important street.
Personally the change suggeste by you
would make no differelce. as ! expect 10
ride horseback on tl1t occasion. but am
reminded in several other cities mat
have visited with ouT veteran orgapiza-
ton that the line ot marcn has been O.
such length that many " the men were
physically unable 10 endure the fatigue
am, therefore. constrained 10 consult the
welfare OF the I'D Confederate soldier
rather than the spectators Of the Iafooe.
~ is very disagreed Die 10 have TO oi1cr
With such large number OF my liicnds
as see have signed this petition. hut as
j accepted the honor If chief OF stan
(much against my iuc.ilatiom i am also
compelled TO accept the criticism perieln-
ing 10 that office.
regret that 1t is not n my powcr TO
comply with your fe ucss, and a. tie
same time do justice 70 the zen Wne
viii h1ye 70 e1duia me march. Ho'f
proposition would f0tce q icrsc number Oi
Inc men TO march more inan five miles.
l remain, very resp .ctfully,
y. Y. RANDOLPH.
chief Of S,IJ.
1t being apparent from this communi-
cation that it would be impossible 70 have
the line Of march changed, no further
acton was taken by the meeting.
In addition to what Major Randolph
says in the letter he stated that at least
b0OO veterans viii have TO march from
the Exposition building 30 First and
Broad streets before taking their posi-
ton in line. thus adding very materially
70 the distance which many of the vete-
rams will have to march.
EVERY ONE GETTING READY.
We are now almost upon the eve Of
the great reunion, and from one end Of
Richmond 70 the other preparations are
being made for his. the greatest gather
ing Of any kind ever held in the capital
of the Confederacy. Private residences
all over the city, whether on the line OF
march or not, are now being decorated
many of them by the hands OF the resi-
dents themselves. - Dispatch reporter
witnessed a pretty scene at q west Main
street residence yesterday. Three young
girls were seated on the front steps al
most hidden from view beneath great
rolls Of red and white bunting. which they
were engaged in sewing. preparatory to
adjoining the front Of the residence with
the gay colors
The great piles Of mattresses which
were being carried In many Of the hotels
and clearinghouse yesterday was ample
evidence that every one is preparing TO
accommodate The big crowd that VIII
be here next week.
CADETS HERE TODAY.
The first organized body which will ar
rive 10 participate I'm the reunion Will be
the Virginia Military Institute cadets who
Will reach Richmond at $50 o'clock this
afternoon over the James River Division
of the Chesapeake and Ohio railway. The
Blues will meet and escort them to their
camp. which viii be an ,he college
grounds The line Of march Will be from
Eighth and Canal 10 Franklin street
thence 70 Richmond College. On arrival
at that institution there will be "a dress
parade. after which the cadets VIII go
TO supper. Each day there VIII be guard
mount at a. NJ, and dress parade at
shutdown. The tents and camp equip
page have been sent ahead, and are now
In the college grounds.
WILL DECORATE THE CITY HALL.
The City Hall will be deliberately deco
that, inasnuch as the expense Of the
the decorations was 10 be borne by the
eity officials. and not TO come out OF the
public treasury. a sufficient amount OF
funds for this purpose could not be raised.
City-rreasursr Phillips, however took
up the matter yesterday morning, and
worked I'm earnest throughout the day.
securing between 500 ana 500 for tie
decorations. COione' Cutshaw, the ''fy
Engineer. is preparing the plans for the
decoration, which viii De done by Nit
teldorfer. and the stately structure viii
be appropriately dressed when the great
body OF veteran soldiers OF the South
assemble here next week.
on a straight liue for over three miles,
and at a distance OF only a few yars
apart the colors OF the Confederacy are
floating IN the breeze. Each pole on the
Broad-street line of the Traction Com
pany Is topped with three hags-the ma
tlonal flag of the Confederacy. the battle
flag. ana the nag OF Virginia.
THE DISPATCHES DECORATIONS.
The decoration Of the Dispatch building
Is Of "a bold but effective design Two
huge flags, 20 by % feet each one the
batte-fag, the other the last flag OF the
COnfederacy, cover the entire front.
These are draped like curtains. and be-
tween them hang large bust portraits in
oil OF Jefferson Davis and Robert H. Lee.
Across the front ana between the pictures
IS the greeting. Welcome Veterans" Sur
mounting the whole floats the flag Of our
country. and from the Flagstaff are run
four steamers OF red. white and red
Midway the street I'm front Of the building
float the Stars and Stripes. the flag being
hung from rope stretched from the