New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-02
THE PRESIDENT PRESSED THE KEY
STARTING THE MACHINERY AT THE NASHVILLE
EXPOSITION

srAprTN0 THE MACHINERY AT THE NASH Lille
EXPOSITION.
washington Nav I'm compliance with the re-
ouest OF tho Executive Committee OF the NashVl'le
Centennial. the President opened the ENposto'' oS
wire from the White House at lib O'Clock to-uay'
Tba orranqements were simple in detail The circuit
was made I'D by the Western Union ofncials' under
the supervision OF Mr.. Montgomery. executive clerk
in charge OF the telegraph and OF Mr. Mareah man
aper OF the Western Union. The wires went direct
10 Nashville by way OF Richmond, Va ana Ashe
Vile repeaters being used at the former place. Inc
circuit was little over seven hundred inlIes IoHh'
rmp,edatelv upon the completion OF the circuit into
the Exposition grounds. the President was informed
by Secretary Porter and at once walked across ms
hall TO the telegraph-room where. under the 8ulu-
ance Of Mr. Montgomery. he stepped up to the desk
nlaced his finger on the Morse key and slightly de-
nres,Ad II. which instantly gave the signal to the
Nashville end and put in motion the wheels OF the
Exposition. The members of the Tennessee deleSa-
ton in Congress. Pension Commissioner Evans and
several other prominent Tennesseeans witnessed the
ceremony
The following kilograms In relation to the cere-
n,ony passed between Secretary Porter and j. W.
Thomas president of the Exposition:
Nashville. Tenn, April %
His Excellency William Mckinley. Washington.
The Executive Committee Of the Tennessee Cen,
tennia following me myaaVn sent o Wasbn on yTI
low formally request you to touch at D. m. WASH WASH
wo,r' ,Snn ~ j. ". THOMAS.
Washington. D. c.. April 80
7 W. Thomas Nashville. Tenn
The President In receipt OF your telegram OF the
2eth and directs me 10 say that he VIII be pleased
10 comply with your request and give the eiectrlc
- m Nav / J. A. PORTER.
~ " Secretary the President.
The arrangements contemplated prompt Open
ing NJ tho Exposition at O'Clock. central time but
,hero were few minutes delay In making the final
nrenaratIons President Mckinley stood at the key
chatting with Representative McMillin about the
Exposton awaiting the signal from Nashville. In
Tho course OF the conversation he said he probably
would visit the Exposition In June. At I'll the fol-
lowing message ticked off the instrument ana
handed to Mr.. Mckinley:
The people of Tennessee send greetings and request
that YOU now put in motion the machinery or the
Tennessee Centennial Exposition
This was signed by President Thomas Mr.. McKin-
lev then gently pressed the KEY and the Exposition
was opened Before he left the key the following
message was received:
people wild The gun went off all right Bands
pIayng and whistles going. Everybody shaking
hands.
Mr. Mckinley smiled and expressed his grauhca-
tion at the success of the undertaking. After re-
ceying the thanks OF the Tennessceans and shaking
hands with them ne retired TO the Cablnet room.
The President then sent the following message:
congratulate the people OF Tennessee upon the
successful opening OF their Centennial Exposition.
and / wish for It the greatest possible success